Death, taxes and debate about project players.
As long as the IRFU utilise projects players there will be adamant critics opposing it. The battle lines were drawn long ago and eventually, the debate became repetitive, yet no less important. The conversation is worth having, it is the manner of it that is questionable.
News emerged last week that Munster and Ireland number eight CJ Stander was the subject of interest from a French Top 14 club. Stander is South African and qualified to play for Ireland under the residency rule. At 27, he is in the prime of his career and there is little surprise in reported interest from billionaire-backed Montpellier.
Neil Francis has been an avid critic of the system that allows the likes of CJ Stander and Bundee Aki represent the Irish national team. Once again he has blasted this practice in his Independent column, highlighting Stander's potential transfer as evidence of its loose parameters:
Since 2007 there have been loads of tourists who came to fulfil a contract for services for which they are handsomely rewarded. They then bugger off to another country whose clubs sides will pay you significantly more.
Francis offers the Munster faithful assurance when he compares the situation to Peter O'Mahony's ongoing contract negotiations, claiming both are "going nowhere." Yet, Francis is unequivocal in his view of the matter should Stander leave:
Any project player who takes our national jersey and then leaves to go to another jurisdiction for more cash gets both barrels.
Writing in the same paper, Eamonn Sweeney also highlights the issue raised by a potential Stander move:
If CJ does go to France, will we start hearing how there's nothing he loves more of an evening than looping a string of onions around his neck and playing the accordion?
There are many strands to this debate. Everything from the merits of project players inclusion in the Irish team, to non-selection of players based abroad. Not to mention an IRFU contract offering system that saw a 33-year-old Jamie Heaslip (34 next week) secure the central contract ensuring 27-year-old CJ Stander's potential salary is lessened.
Should Stander depart Munster, it would only enhance the discourse on all sides.
SEE ALSO: What Needs To Happen Now For A Smooth Munster Transition
