IRFU to break the bank for Murray
FROM THE GRAPEVINE: Ireland and Munster scrumhalf Conor Murray is set to land a bumper new contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union.
The British and Irish Lion is set to become the top earner within the Irish squad with the new deal according to the Limerick Leader.
Currently, Johnny Sexton leads the list and is believed to be on a deal in the region of €650,000-€700,000.
Murray is reportedly on a contract worth €550,000 per year at the moment but could be about to pick up a significant rise to ward off interest from abroad. His current arrangement runs out at the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan and there would be significant interest in one of the world’s best scrum-halves.
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Big-spending Saracens may be on the lookout for a new 9, with Richard Wigglesworth 35-years-old, albeit still a regular performer for the side, breaking the Premiership appearance record in Sunday’s win over Gloucester. The Premiership club does also have Ben Spencer, the 26-year-old picked up two caps during England’s tour to South Africa in June.
A move to France could also be an option for Murray, it’s a path well trodden by Irish players of late, Donnacha Ryan and Simon Zebo are currently plying their trade at Racing 92.
Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and Munster back row Peter O’Mahoney were most recently tied down by the IRFU and both are believed to be collecting pay packets of over €500,000.
Murray is not the only player coming to end of his IRFU deal, with loosehead props Cian Healy and Jack McGrath also out of contract at the end of the 2019 World Cup.
Murray, who is currently out with a neck injury, has played 67 times for Ireland and was first choice scrum-half for the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. He came through the Munster Academy and has since played 116 times for the province. Munster and Ireland will be particularly keen to get him back from injury, so he can combine with new signing Joey Carbery.
