Writing in the Irish Times
Greg Thornley questions the wisdom of the Irish Rugby Union's new edict over the signing of foreign players.
The recent unveiling of the IRFU’s changes to player contracts, specifically those for non-Irish qualified players, raises one simple question: If it ain’t broke, why fix it? The provinces have won four of the last six Heineken Cups in backboning an Irish side which won its first Grand Slam in 61 years and produced its best World Cup campaign to date in New Zealand this year.
Furthermore, the IRFU’s all-powerful Professional Contracts Review Group (PCRG) already have the power of veto over any players signed by the provinces, so why apply such rigid straitjackets to recruitment of overseas players?
RSS feed
