Leinster
forwards coach Jono Gibbes, having confirmed last September he was departing for Clermont Auvergne next season, has questioned the logic behind drawn out contractual negotiations within Irish rugby.
"All those Irish guys they all want clarity as early as possible," said Gibbes. "I don't know what the process is, what that involves, but at the end of the last year of the contract, surely that can be done earlier than going into the Six Nations.
“I don’t think that’s ideal for it (to be) still lingering around then.”
Gibbes was responding to questions about the ongoing Jamie Heaslip and Seán O'Brien talks with the IRFU director of human resources Maurice Dowling.
“I don’t know the ins and outs, who has come to the table and who hasn’t, but some guys surely they ear mark, bang, get them done as early as possible.
“When you are talking about future, money and stuff, it is always complicated,” Gibbes continued. “There are always factors involved but from our point of view it would be good to know as soon as possible.”
A highly regarded veteran Leinster player was mystified by yesterday's line of questioning. After a five minute group interview, focusing mainly on the contract situation of Heaslip, Eoin Reddan reminded the print media of the Connacht match next Saturday, expressing bemusement that not a single question came on the subject.
Reddan had a valid point. Leinster in Galway a week out from the crucial Heineken Cup match in Castres is important (Jack McGrath was asked about it). Especially now that Sean O'Brien is injured long term and coach Matt O'Connor must decide between Shane Jennings, the experienced leader and favourite, or Dominic Ryan, the bigger younger tearaway, to fill the number seven jersey.
But there simply wasn't enough scope in a "snap" gathering to inquire about the January 4th Sportsground fixture in any detail. At this time of year, and it has been increasing every season, the main interest in the public domain – that being the supporter who pays player wages by attending matches – is contract extensions and the lure of the Top 14.
Visit to Toulon
The Heaslip situation was ratcheted up a notch last weekend by his visit to Toulon and Montpellier. The O'Brien situation also got very interesting considering he could be laid up until the June tour of Argentina.
It should also be noted that Rhys Ruddock, previously a Munster target, and Dominic Ryan are also out of contract this summer. Their agents, Niall Woods of Navy Blue and Ikon respectively, are dealing directly with Leinster as opposed to the IRFU.
That’s four of Leinster’s seven vying backrowers seeking to secure their short term future here or abroad. Ideally, they would have preferred this business to be done quietly before Christmas. But that’s not how it works. Drenched in conjecture, Gibbes continued: “I think Seánie and Jamie should definitely stay here. The environment that they got here is good for them. The system they got, the central contract, the player programme, is good for them
“I think the national team benefits from having them there to call on.
“It is never as black and white as it seems. There are factors that have to be counted in; lifestyle and money. Experiences, I guess.”
With the past two Leinster captains Leo Cullen and Brian O'Driscoll retiring soon surely another leader following Jonathan Sexton to France would make maintaining Leinster's high standards a huge challenge.
"The timing of that question is loaded," said Reddan. "The reality is, if you take from past examples, with Johnny going, externally how big, big a deal that was for our rugby. If you are an organisation that is adaptable and really, really wants to win and I mean that on the pitch and off the pitch, then you have to find a way to move on.
Find a way
"Now, is it hard to move on when somebody like Johnny leaves? Yeah. And would it be hard if Seánie or Jamie moved on? Of course it would be but do I think people in this organisation would find a way? I think we'd have to.
“I don’t know how long it would take but the biggest thing is they are good friends. You’d miss that around the place. They are awesome rugby players. It would set us back. Definitely.
“If they don’t stay you’ve got to adjust and adapt to the situation.”
On the Heaslip saga, Reddan added: “I hope he gets the dream goal, which is to stay in Leinster and sort out his financial affairs.
“For anyone leaving a club they have come through, especially Jamie, who has been through everything with Leinster, ups and downs, it would be very tough if he did want to go. I don’t think he does want to. Hopefully it will get sorted out for him.”
After that, questions about the Connacht game pale into insignificance.
