Rugby: In a decidedly timely development, given the upcoming Six Nations championship, the on-off dispute between the IRFU and the Irish Rugby Union Players Association regarding the vexed issues of match fees and win bonuses has been resolved.
The negotiations, which date back to last February, came to a head under the separate heading of tour fees and win bonuses prior to last summer's two-Test series in South Africa and resurfaced before the win over the Springboks last November. They were successfully concluded earlier this week when a delegation of senior players in the Irish squad met with the IRUPA chief executive Niall Woods.
The players were apparently very pleased with the improved offer which the union had supplemented with some minor adjustments last Friday when it was put to them on Monday night during their three-day Irish training at their base in City West.
Neither party was willing to divulge the figures involved, which had remained static since being revised and set by the union in 1998, but presumably the newly agreed deal is a significant improvement on the previous match fee of €1,270 and win bonus of €3,180.
By comparison, England's players receive €11,000 per man, win, lose or draw, as well as an undisclosed sum toward their image rights. The French receive up to €9,200, including a match preparation fee of €1,850, as well as bonuses for draws and winning the Championship or Grand Slam which last season reputedly saw each player earn €22,000. It is also believed that the union have agreed to incentive payments for the Irish players in the event of them winning the Six Nations championship and the Grand Slam.
Commenting on the resolution last night, Woods said: "I think both sides have learnt from this episode and both sides are also happy with the conclusion, which was reached amicably. The players are very happy and can now focus entirely on their rugby and the Six Nations."
Meanwhile, the IRFU has announced several changes within its management structures as part of the implementation of the recently published Strategic Development Plan for rugby in Ireland. The union is to advertise two new positions that cater for the domestic game and the elite player development structure.
The first new position will be the appointment of a Domestic Game Manager, who will be responsible for the planning, development and organisation of the game within clubs and schools throughout Ireland.
The second appointment will be that of a High Performance Manager who will report to the Director of Rugby. The manager will be responsible for the development and implementation of the IRFU high performance pathway .
Both positions will be advertised in the coming weeks in both the national press and on www.irishrugby.ie.
The IRFU will also be making important changes on a departmental basis within the organisation. The operations sector of the IRFU will be reorganised with Martin Murphy filling the lead role as Director of Corporate Affairs. The growth of the union's commercial and marketing activity will see current Marketing Manager Padraig Power becoming Commercial and Marketing Director.
Conor O'Brien is to take the role of Finance Controller, while Maurice Dowling will work under the title of Director of Human Resources.
Philip Browne, Chief Executive of the IRFU pointed out: "The needs of the domestic game and the development of age grade rugby are evident to any stakeholder in Irish rugby. On the domestic front, the revitalisation of grassroots rugby is an important issue for the game. We are aiming for a 17 per cent increase in player numbers by 2008 and this dedicated position of Domestic Game Manager will provide the necessary resources to achieve this."
Meanwhile, Munster make three changes from the side that started against Harlequins for tomorrow's Celtic League game with Llanelli at Stradey Park.
Ronan O'Gara returns to the side for the first time since breaking a bone in his hand. Paul Devlin gets a fourth start and Jason Holland a run at inside centre. Up front the Munster pack remains the same from the Twickenham match.
Leinster have announced a 25-man squad for their game against the Gwent Dragons at Lansdowne Road on Sunday. The international players return but openside flanker Shane Jennings is one notable absentee.
England coach Andy Robinson included Mathew Tait when he named a 30-man squad yesterday for England's Six Nations opener against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on February 5th.
The 18-year-old Newcastle Falcons centre has been tipped to make his debut against Wales after a number of first choice veterans, including centres Mike Tindall and Will Greenwood, were ruled out through injury.
Captain Jonny Wilkinson is also missing through injury with Charlie Hodgson likely to keep his place at outhalf.
MUNSTER (v Llanelli): C Cullen; P Devlin, S Payne, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; A Quinlan, D Leamy, A Foley. Replacements (from): G McIlwham, F Roche, J Flannery, T Hogan, D Wallace, E Reddan, M Mullins, AN Other.
LEINSTER (Squad v Gwent Dragons): R Nebbett, E Byrne, R Corrigan, D Blaney, S Byrne, B Gissing, L Cullen, M O'Kelly, C Potts, A McCullen, E Miller, V Costello, N Ronan, B O'Riordan, B O'Driscoll, F Contepomi, K Lewis, D Quinlan, G D'Arcy, G Easterby, G Brown, G Dempsey, D Hickie, D Holwell, S Horgan Sully
ENGLAND (Squad v Wales): Backs: J Robinson (capt), M Cueto, J Lewsey, I Balshaw, B Cohen, M Tait, J Noon, O Smith, H Paul, O Barkley, C Hodgson, M Dawson, A Gomarsall, H Ellis. Forwards: G Rowntree, A Sheridan, J White, P Vickery, S Thompson, A Titterrell, G Chuter, D Grewcock, S Shaw, S Borthwick, B Kay, H Vyvyan, L Moody, A Hazell, J Worsley, J Forrester.
