Joe Schmidt: Donnacha Ryan exit not about money

Joe Schmidt says the IRFU offered Donnacha Ryan a financial deal similar to the package he was already on but the second row decided to leave Munster for Racing 92 next season for a combination of professional and personal reasons.

News Ryan would be leaving the province after 14 seasons of service broke in March and caused outrage among fans dismayed by the loss of a man who had become a mainstay of the pack for both club and country.

Comparisons were made with Jamie Heaslip, four days younger than Ryan at 33, who this year signed on the line with the union through to the next World Cup. Questions were asked why the same international contract wasn’t forthcoming for the Munster lock.