Munster captain Peter O'Mahony hopes to agree and sign an improved IRFU national contract before January 1st. Otherwise, the Ireland flanker will move to an interested French or English club next summer.
“This time of the year you get offers from clubs in France and England,” O’Mahony explained. “Look, I’m going to leave my agents to sort all that side of it. It’s very important for me to concentrate on two big tests this weekend and the following weekend against Leicester.
“I’m hoping to have it wrapped up one way or the other regardless by the New Year to be honest.”
The next question put to O’Mahony was, ‘You’re a Munster man true and true, aren’t you?’
“Obviously I am but, look, it’s professional sport, it’s a short career, and as I said hopefully it will be done by the new year one way or the other.”
The 28-year-old’s current contract ends in July. Two French teams and one English team want to sign the man who captained the British and Irish Lions against New Zealand last summer.
“Look lads, I can’t sit here as a Munster captain and discuss that with ye, you know what I mean?” O’Mahony added, ahead of the visit of Leicester Tigers to Thomond Park this Saturday in round three of the Champions Cup. “That’s for my agents to deal with. I’ll leave it at that.”
One of the French offers, The Irish Times has learned, is willing to double the salary tabled by the IRFU's chief negotiator David Nucifora.
O'Mahony's agent, Conor Ridge of Horizon Sports Management, has brought in Ryan Constable of Esportif International as they have ties to French agents needed to finalise a move to the Top 14.
The interested English team is actively seeking a club captain.
Meanwhile, Simon Zebo is due to train today despite suffering knee and rib damage on successive weekends. Munster coach Johann van Graan expects to name Zebo at fullback for Saturday night's game (kick-off 7.45pm, BT Sport).
