That's good to know. Would be good if there was some way that province's supporters could contribute to academy funding. I think there'd be an appetite for that. Some kind of fund where people could put e5 a month or something and know that it's going straight into improving the academy.
Munster are investing S&C and centres of excellence to help in better feeder systems, IRFU have allowed Munster to turn some of their operational costs for this into the long term loan.
Of course, the provinces need more help with this. None would have anything like the money JP pours into Limerick. He's twice now given €1m to each county so you can only imagine what he's pumping into Limerick.
The IRFU's remit is broader than just the Ireland team.
As a Munster fan, I'd love to see us invest in our academy rather than spending money on expensive NIQs. Look at what proper investment in S&C and facilities done for the Limerick hurlers. I'm not saying it'll definitely work but it would be worth trying I think. I don't think revising how central contracts are distributed is gonna close the gap to Leinster, we need a better feeder system.
I imagine if you talk to any of the academies, they'd have pretty urgent ideas how money could be used to improve what's happening there.
Certainly, in Ulster, they could do with another talent identification officer - someone pointed more towards the clubs than schools. Maybe another Academy place or two? Maybe more/better coaches? More money for the underage pathway? Mayeb a review of the systems with an eye to improving it?
If the point is that we're not bringing enough players through (with which I agree 100%), lets remedy it.
Do the IRFU not already fund or part fund the academies for the provinces? something was mentioned on a podcast before about the IRFU over the academies. I can't remember what it was before
But lets say they offer more money into the academies, what would you change?
I have.
Make each province pay a small part of each central contract and use the centrally saved money to bolster the Ulster, Connacht and Munster academies, and talent identification systems. Money goes straight into that, can't be spent on NIQs, contracts or anything else.
Allow provinces other than Munster to host money-spinning games against invited international sides.
Iv yet to see any non leinster fan say this systems not broken. Perhaps i can be proven wrong but those who benefit from a broken system are more likely to defend it.
I don't buy that. My team is Ireland. The IRFU's team is Ireland.
Plenty want the system to stay as it is because it benefits their team
I mean you can take the hump or you can make a suggestion yourself. I don't know. What do you think?
They sent Richie Murphy up…
So how do the IRFU improve what's coming out of Ulster? Shout at them louder?
Interestingly, the IRFU are undertaking a review of their contractual system, which will be completed before Humphreys takes over from Nucifora.
I'm assuming Humphreys is having some input and/or will have some good ideas of his own.
The only scope for practical change that I can see is an increase within this IRFU "scaled payment structure" ( €50,000, €90,000 or €110,000) for provinces that meet a certain criteria.
e.g. Connacht. How do the IRFU determine the extent of financial support for the Contracts in a Province?
Central Contract: 1. Bundee Aki (XV expires 2025)
Tier 1 Contract (up tp €110k from IRFU): 1. Hansen (XV 2025), 2. Bealham ( XXIII 2025)
Tier 2 Contract (up to €90k from IRFU): 1. Prendergast (Squad 2025), 2. Carty (2025), 3. Blade (Squad 2026) 4. Butler (2024) 5. Joyce (2025?) 6. JJ Hanrahan (2025?)
NIQ Contract: 1. Cordero, 2. Hurley-Langton, 3. Porch (2025, IQ in 2024). IRFU Financial contribution = €X Amount(€0?)
Tier 3 Contract (up to €50k from IRFU): The 49 reaming players in squad and academy.
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2023/10/31/bealham-commits-to-connacht-with-two-year-contract-extension/
CEO: Ruane - Performance Grade B1. PLUS IRFU Didn't have to remove him - TICK
Head Coach: Wilkins (2027) - Performance Grade D1. PLUS IRFU Didn't have to remove him - TICK
Team Performance Grade - C3
Financial Performance Grade - C1
Stadium Grade: Sportsground. Rented from Galway Agricultural and Sports Society. Grade D3
Stadium and Facilities Redevelopment: Cost - €40m Plus(!) with Govt Grant of €20m. Completed for start of 2026/27. IRFU Financial Support = €0(?)
IRFU ALGORITHIM: = €X* million for 24/25 Contracts.
*Heavily weighted on Irish team representation because that is THE cash cow.
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2023/11/24/grand-slam-success-brings-a-more-positive-impact-to-irfu-accounts/
The benefits of having ALL of the Irish players playing in Ireland are Massive.
No system is perfect, but its a bloody good system.
If people have better idea's, fair play, and why do you think the IRFU would not implement them?
The simple cold hard truth is some provinces are underperforming. e.g. Ulster - From the top to the bottom. I don't want to pick on Ulster but its a pertinent example. The IRFU are not going to give them more cash because they haven't seen a return on investment.
McCarthy will absolutely get one and Henderson will definitely not get another one.
Henderson's deal is up in 2025 but I don't think McCarthy will have to wait until then, I suspect the IRFU will bump his contract soon enough.
Lots of numbers get "mentioned" though! :)
Though it does seem about right I guess
I think it was mentioned before Lowe was on 300k
its not a maximum figure, its a subsidy per contract.
so far example with hansen, there is no indication that his contract IS 110k. Its very very likely that Connacht are topping up his contract on top of the 110k.
as to what the final figure is, we dont know, nor should we know.
for example, at leinster James Lowe is absolutely on more than 110K
Each contract is underpinned by the union on a scaled payment structure of €50,000, €90,000 or €110,000, and is individually supplemented by the provinces as they see fit or can afford.
I didn't know the extent of this IRFU payment structure for Provincial contracts. I'm assuming most of the contracts for the Provincial players in and around the national Squad are financed at this €90,000 or €110,000 scale.
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2022/05/11/hansen-signs-new-long-term-deal-with-connacht/
Based on above (and I'm assuming because it was an IRFU article) Hansen signed a new contract in 2022 (expiring 2025) with €110,000 per season from the IRFU.
Because he's now a mainstay in the starting XV he'll go onto a central contract at the end of 2025.
There are always going to be those anomalies with this system.
McCarthy has just come on the scene and has very recently usurped Henderson/Ryan in the pecking order and if that remains the case he'll probably take Hendersons/Ryans contract when it comes up for renewal.
When one "nailed on" starter retires there isn't always an immediate person that becomes equally "nailed on".
Right now , Crowley looks like the long term replacement for Sexton but you wouldn't be giving him a central contract just yet. All those on Central contracts have been established regular starters for Ireland for 3+ years before that got that contract.
As I understand it the primary difference (in terms of value) between an international on a central contract and one on a provincial contract is that match fees are guaranteed.
So for example - using random figures ,a Provincial International has a contract for €150k/year and if they are involved in all the Ireland match day squads for a season , they get an additional €50k for those involvements.
The Central contract player just has a flat contract of €200k regardless of their level of involvement , although the assumption is that they would be playing all the games.
Maybe the IRFU could not pay the core contract value any more and just guarantee the "match fee" element for more players for longer.
So instead of paying the full value for ~13 players they could guarantee the match fee element for 25/30 players which would cover a large chunk of the guys regularly involved in teams and squads.
It's all their money anyway , it's just a change in how the account for it and report it.
If Mccarthy stays as the starting second row then at the next round I'd probably drop Ryan from his, as well as Henshaw, Henderson, and Aki.
Hansen and maybe Lowe to get a central contract.
To be honest i think the case for central contracts is getting less now that there isn't games during the international windows.
Crowley deserves one, we have to get behind a new number 10 so a central contract is important for that.
Yeah Hansen is a no brainer. Agree on Lowe being too old. Think it's bit early for Crowley but he'll get one anyway.
Hansen definitely. He's so important to how Ireland wants to attack. Nash played well during the Six Nations. But was a step or two down from Mack.
Lowe deserves one as well, but he's probably too old now. Especially for an outside back.
looking at the list realistically who else would deserve one now? Probably a bit early for Crowley and Joe Mc. Lowe and Hansen maybe?
The second row one is even odder looking when one of the two starters isn’t one of the 3 on a CC
3 second rows as well. Seems strange that 4 positions have 6 of the 13 central contracts.
The worst thing about that list is that it's actually generous to Ulster. Three centres on central contract doesn't make a huge amount of sense either.
"All male and female players in the XVs and sevens games, including the academies, are centrally contracted to at least some extent by the IRFU. Accordingly, they can all be called up to training sessions, development tours, A games and so forth. Deducting the 12 to 16 players on national contracts leaves circa 160 or so male players with provincial senior contracts. Each contract is underpinned by the union on a scaled payment structure of €50,000, €90,000 or €110,000, and is individually supplemented by the provinces as they see fit or can afford."
Leinster (7): Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan.
Munster (3): Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray.
Connacht (1): Bundee Aki.
Ulster (1): Iain Henderson.
Leinster (10): Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan.
Munster (1): Tadhg Beirne.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/04/17/blue-bloods-irfu-national-contract-system-will-continue-to-load-the-dice-in-leinsters-favour/
Suspect Aki will get plenty of rest in the business end of the season anyway.
Still fewer than Leamy I think. ;)
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