Sean O’Brien: IRFU Cant Compete Financially With English And French Clubs
Leinster back row Sean O’Brien doesn’t believe the IRFU possess the financial firepower to ward off interest from big spending French Top 14 and English Premiership clubs.
Out-half Ian Madigan is the latest player to be linked with a move away from Leinster, amid reported interest from big money Bristol.
He has reportedly been offered €500,000 per-year to join English second tier side, who are being bankrolled by the owner of Bristol City football club, Steve Lansdown.
O’Brien believes playing away from Ireland is becoming an increasingly appealing option for players.
“It’s very attractive to go to bigger clubs in France and England, they’ve major budgets and its probably something the provinces and the unions probably cant compete with financially.”
“There’s a load of other aspects to think about when you’re at that stage of your career, lads will have to do what suits them and what is best for them and their careers”
O’Brien reckons the protection given to the players by the IRFU may have some bearing when lucrative offers from abroad come in.
Paul O’Connell is the highest profile Ireland player to make the move to France after he left Munster to put pen to paper on a reported €955,000 a year deal with Top 14 side Toulon.
The downsides to playing away from Ireland is the lack of input from the IRFU. The union currently manages the game time of players under centralised contracts limiting the amount they play for club and country and dictating when they rest.
Such an arrangement which makes the player the priority would not be the case in a French or English club, and O’Brien says that makes a big difference:
“You go over to somewhere in France or in England and they’re gonna get their pound of flesh off you, that’s grand it might suit someone if they want to do that but in fairness we are well looked after in Ireland with the player protocol.”
“It’s good for us, it keeps us fresh and fit the majority of the time. It’s got a big part to play in it.”
Listen to the full interview with Sean O’Brien. He’s been speaking to 98FM’s Darren Cleary.
Sean O’Brien is pictured alongside Ian Madigan and Eoin Reddan at the launch of the Life Style Sports “We Are Many, We Are Leinster” campaign that celebrates and rewards Leinster supporters.
Shop the range now at www.lifestylesports.com/leinster.