First Jonny Sexton decided on pastures new in France and with some high-profile Irish internationals out of contract at the end of the year, Conor Murray is the latest to be linked to a Top 14 club.
The IRFU have often felt that players speaking with French clubs was often a bargaining ploy but with Sexton breaking the mould, finances even more tight within the IRFU and the future of the Heineken Cup in doubt, it is more than a distinct possibility that some of our top names could leave their provincial set-ups.
Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien have been linked to Clermont Auvergne while Conor Murray, another international out of contract at the end of the campaign, is touted as target of Bayonne and Toulouse according to The Irish Independent today.
The 24 year-old’s stock has risen even higher after the successful Lions tour and is thought to be catching the eye of clubs in the Aviva Premiership too. His age would be a big factor as he is yet to come into his prime, but crucially could spend a couple of years abroad before returning to avail of the 10 year tax break.
Although it is early days in the season, the IRFU will hope to get contract negotiations underway sooner than perhaps in previous seasons, with his Munster colleagues Keith Earls and Donnacha Ryan also set for contract talks before their current deals expire.
A big year ahead for the association.
