Professional contracts remain a thorny subject for IRFU

Senior figures avoid the controversial issue ahead of Six Nations opener 

Ireland head coach Greg McWilliams: 'I see ourselves as a professional group of players.' Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The case for professional contracts to be awarded to Ireland’s XVs players is beginning to look almost taboo.

The independent review into the women’s team’s failure to qualify for this year’s World Cup advised that hybrid and retainer contracts be considered but IRFU CEO Kevin Potts then poured no little cold water on the possibility of it happening any time soon.