'Tough decisions were made' - Neve Jones staying quiet on potential Irish contract

Ireland hooker Neve Jones says she has spoken to the IRFU about a proposed playing contract with Irish rugby, but is staying silent on whether or not she is signing on the dotted line.

The union are in the process of recruiting Ireland's 15-a-side players to professional deals, although a recent report in the Irish Independent suggested that there has been a slow uptake on those contracts, with some players offered a deal amounting to just €15,000 plus incentives.

Jones, who has been playing for Gloucester-Hartpury in England's Premier 15s, has emerged as one of Ireland's key players in the last 12 months, cementing her place as first choice hooker under head coach Greg McWilliams, before being named women's XV Player of the Year at the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland awards.

And while she says she has been offered a contract by the IRFU, she says she will hold off on revealing the outcome while negotiations with other players are still ongoing.

"We've had conversations, between myself and Gillian [McDarby, Head of Women's Performance and Pathways], it's on an individual basis and what works for us as players," Jones said.

It's been reported that while the ultimate goal is for multiple high-performance centres for the women's team around the country, the initial crop of contracted players would train out of the Irish Rugby high-performance facility in Abbotstown, which would naturally require players to relocate within commuting distance of Dublin.

"It's one of those things, it's not as easy as a yes/no," Jones added.

"There's a lot of life involved, my life is rugby and I revolve everything around it, but I need to take the emotional side away from it and think what's best for me; not only as a player, but as a person as