IRFU fights to keep O'Driscoll

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) will do everything in their power to persuade Brian O’Driscoll his future does not lie abroad.

O’Driscoll’s Leinster career has been thrown into doubt following his appearance as a spectator at a match between Biarritz and Stade Francais last weekend.

The British and Irish Lions skipper, whose central contract with the IRFU expires next June, indicated in an interview on French television that he would be interested in a move to the continent.

“I have never hidden the fact that, at some stage, I would like to play in France,” he said.

“Would I want to play here? Why not? I like the Biarritz brand of rugby, I like the place and I like the atmosphere.

“I will have to make a decision next summer and when I do so, it will be for lifestyle reasons, not just financial ones.”

But Lansdowne Road chiefs are desperate to keep the 26-year-old national skipper in Ireland and hope to begin negotiations for a new contract as soon as possible.

“We shall do all everything we can to ensure Brian is not lost to the game in Ireland,” said a spokesman.

“The IRFU is committed to a policy of keeping all its top players in Ireland and O’Driscoll falls into that category.”

O’Driscoll is still recovering from the shoulder problem he suffered during the first Lions Test against the All Blacks, an injury which cruelly ended his tour.

The highly-gifted centre is unlikely to play again before December, ruling him out of Ireland’s Autumn internationals against New Zealand, Australia and Romania.

He led Ireland to the Triple Crown in 2004 but last season’s RBS 6 Nations was a bitter disappointment with an ageing side failing to live up to its billing as favourites.

O’Driscoll remains Irish rugby’s prized asset, however, and with the IRFU eager to tie every international player to a central contract, they will not let him go without a fight.