IRFU performance director David Nucifora: ‘Players first’ approach key to retaining talent

Reports linking Munster and Ireland wing Simon Zebo with a move to France next summer offer a timely reminder that the annual contracts circus for players is already in full swing.

Irish rugby’s big names will always be the subject of interest from overseas clubs, with the money being offered to play in the English Premiership or French Top14 usually beyond the payscale Ireland’s provinces or their paymasters at the IRFU can compete with.

IRFU performance director David Nucifora is the ringmaster trying to keep all his stars out of English and French clutches and the Australian understands that retaining players on this island is a question of offering incentives other than just money.