O'Driscoll happy in Ireland

Brian O’Driscoll’s decision to sign a new central contract with the Irish Rugby Union can be linked directly to the ferocious demands he believes Europe’s leading clubs place on their top players.

O’Driscoll has ambitions to play in the French championship and had considered moving to the continent next June, when his current contract with the IRFU expires.

But the Ireland captain does not agree with the “flogging” he sees many players receive in countries – like England and France – where the club game holds great influence.

O’Driscoll is a firm believer in Ireland’s central contracts system and the IRFU’s player management system seems to have been a major factor in his decision to stay with Leinster until the 2007 World Cup.

O’Driscoll said during the course of his negotiations: “Each country has to look after their players and get the most out of their players.

“I think each country has to get the right balance. There is only so much flogging you can do. You need a bit of carrot as well as stick.

“Clubs in England are totally focused on winning their club trophies whereas it is the national team that takes precedence over everything else in Ireland.”

“We are very fortunate in Ireland that we are looked after as players. We don’t play when we are injured. I won’t be playing the same number of games as the guys in England. I am sure I won’t play over 30 games in a season even if I am fully fit throughout.

“We have the right structure in place where the national team takes precedence over everything else. They lease the players to the different provinces and they are able to look after them better as a result.”

The likes of Shane Byrne and Johnny O’Connor ply their trade in the Guinness Premiership but the IRFU want to keep as many players under central contract as possible to ensure their welfare is properly managed.

The union’s chief executive Philip Browne said today: “It is the ongoing determination of the IRFU where possible to keep the leading players at home and manage their welfare.

“It is, therefore, most pleasing to see that a player of Brian’s standing in the game has committed himself to both club and country.

“The IRFU is delighted that Brian has pledged his immediate future to Leinster and that he will continue to play his rugby in Ireland.

“There is no doubting his ability at the very highest level and it is a testament to both Brian and to the current structures that are in place at both provincial and international level that he has chosen to remain in Ireland.”

Leinster’s chief executive Mick Dawson added: “It’s very important to us that we keep our best players at home and continue to be as competitive as possible in all competitions.

“I now look forward to seeing Brian back playing as soon as possible. This will be a great boost to all involved.”

O’Driscoll’s decision upholds the argument for central contracts that the English and Welsh rugby unions would both relish.

Departing Welsh Rugby Union chief executive David Moffett warned recently that the financial clout of the English and French clubs would spell the end of professional rugby in Wales unless central contracts are embraced within five years.

“English and French clubs will continue to rape and pillage the world’s best players,” he said recently.

“The answer for us is central contracting. There is so much opposition and I simply don’t know why.”

O’Driscoll had been linked heavily with a move to Biarritz after he was introduced to the crowd before a game against Stade Francais in September.

In an interview with local television he said: “I have never hidden the fact that at some stage I would like to play in France.

“I like the brand of rugby played here, the country and the atmosphere at matches. My contract in Ireland finishes next June, so I will have a decision to make before then.

“Whatever path I take, it will not be for purely monetary reasons. At some stage of my career I would like to experience a new lifestyle and a different culture.” That ambitions is now on hold until after the next World Cup.

Meanwhile, O’Driscoll is working towards a St Stephen's Day return to action for Leinster in their Celtic League clash with Ulster at Ravenhill.

O’Driscoll has not played since dislocating his shoulder in the opening seconds of the Lions’ first Test against New Zealand.

“My desire from the beginning of this season has always been to play for Leinster and Ireland and I am thrilled to remain within the current set-up,” he said today.

“I am now looking forward to getting myself back on the field playing as soon as possible and working with the coaching staff in both Leinster and Ireland for the remainder of the season.”