DUBLIN (AFP) - Ireland`s leading players found themselves involved in a fresh pay dispute with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) on the eve of their Test against the United States at Lansdowne Road here Saturday.
IRFU officials and Irish Rugby Union Players` Association chief executive Niall Woods were due to hold talks Friday in a bid to resolve a problem which first came to light ahead of the June tour of South Africa.
Each Ireland player currently receives 890 pounds (1,655 dollars, 623 euros) as a standard match fee together with a win bonus of 2,159 pounds (4,015 dollars, 1,511 euros)
But these rates have remained the same since the 1998-99 season and the players, who helped Ireland to the Triple Crown during this year`s Six Nations, have only been able to look on enviously at the international fees enjoyed by fellow northern hemisphere giants England and France.
According to Woods, World Champions England`s players receive 7,715 pounds (14,349 dollars, 5,400 euros) as a match fee, as well as an undisclosed sum for their image rights.
Woods, who is in close touch with English counterpart Damien Hopley, added that French players earned between 4,909 pounds (9,130 dollars, 3,436 euros) and 6,311 pounds (11,738 dollars, 4,417 euros) per match, including a 1,297 pounds (2,412 dollars, 908 euros) preparation wage.
Back in June, a strike was averted with each of the tourists receiving 2,805 pounds (5,217 dollars, 1,963 euros) for the two Tests.
However, former London Irish wing Woods said Friday: "The players` fees and bonuses have not gone up since 1998 - since when ticket prices have increased by 80 percent.
"We`re not looking for a huge money, just a reasonable increase. Negotiations started last February with regards to match fees and bonuses.
"The summer tour was a separate issue but when that was resolved, it was decided that the win bonus issue would be discussed after the tour. Little or nothing has happened since.
"I`m not going to comment further at this stage. We have to bear in mind that the players have an international tomorrow and an even bigger one (against Argentina) next week. I don`t wish this to be blown up."
Meanwhile Ireland captain Brian O`Driscoll said "the matter has been dragging on for far too long."
But IRFU spokesman John Redmond said: "Negotiations are ongoing with a variety of issues up for discussion. It is distracting and mischievous to raise these issues on the week of an international.
"There was a mutual agreement between the Union and the IRUPA, as is the industry norm, to conduct their business in private. It is standard practice," Redmond added.
11/19/2004 - 17:54 GMT - AFP