Two French and two English clubs have expressed interest in signing the Munster rugby star Donnacha Ryan.
The second-row powerhouse Donnacha, is currently out of action, possibly until after Christmas with a knee injury, but is clearly a crucial part of Munster and Ireland’s plans, especially with the World Cup in 2015 just around the corner.
Ryan, like his other rugby club-mates, namely Paul O’Connell and Conor Murray , together with Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Dave Kearney, is much sought abroad following the recent decision by Johnny Sexton’s to move to the French rugby union club Racing Metro just last summer.
The IRFU are understood to have held initial discussions with the star, but no real negotiations have as yet taken place with regard to the 29-year-old players’ future.
While Ryan would possibly prefer to remain in Tipperary with Munster, the IRFU have been dealt a blow in the recent Finance Bill with the tax relief scheme having being amended and no longer on the negotiation table. This deal had previously allowed players to finish their careers abroad and players who retired in Ireland could avail of a scheme which permitted them to claim full tax relief on their best 10 years as a professional sports person here in Ireland.
Star players and those speculating their futures will now be tempted to negotiate contracts abroad with other clubs, attracted by the better salaries currently on offer.
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