IRFU confident of keeping top players despite losses

The IRFU is confident that Irish rugby will retain its top talent despite warning that current levels of investment will not be sustainable without additional revenue streams.

Yesterday the union announced a deficit of €18.4m for the year up to the end of July, much of that down to the costs associated with the World Cup and the loss of revenue from the November internationals in 2023.

"Without further additional revenue streams, of which there is no certainty, we simply will not be able to maintain current levels of investment across the game," chief executive Kevin Potts said.

Asked about the possibility of moving away from a centralised contracts system, and flexibility in allowing players to represent Ireland if playing abroad, Potts (below) was adamant that the structure was sound.

"Our current central contracting model underpins the success of Irish professional rugby, it underpins our provinces and our national team," he told RTÉ Sport.

"I don't see that ever changing. We want to retain our players in Ireland, our players want to stay in Ireland.

"The support they get, the management, the welfare, they tell us are the best in the world. I don't see that being part of the discussion.

"I don't want you to go away with a message that we're seeking to cut programmes.

"What we're mainly saying is that if things don't get better on the revenue side, we'll have to cut our cloth. We're not at that stage.

"We're constantly reviewing our expenditure but we're not at that stage."

Ireland and Connacht centre Bundee Aki is the highest-profile player who has been linked to a move to France.

The 34-year-old has a contract with the IRFU until 2026.

"We are confident we can retain all of our top players," said Potts.

"They are happy to play in