Fintan Drury represents a new breed of player agents the IRFU fear as their cosy world of contract negotiations begins to be torn apart by ‘the soccer element'. The Irish Independent's David Kelly reports.
"Where once the IRFU sought to conduct their contract negotiations on their terms and at their pace, at all times assuming the status of something akin to a 19th century benevolent landlord, Drury's tactics have launched a wrecking ball at the comfy establishment.
"And the lords of IRFU are not happy. Chief executive Philip Browne has fulminated publicly at the prospect of "agents" -- we noted how he spat the word out earlier this month -- taking money out of the sport.
"Inside IRFU walls, treasurer Tom Grace and director of human resources Maurice Dowling are digging their heels in as Drury seeks to negotiate the best possible deal available for his players, Jamie Heaslip and Jonny Sexton.
"Outside IRFU walls, much of the negotiations are being conducted via the media -- linen is being washed in the full glare of the public. This the IRFU do not like."
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