We caught up with Sean O'Brien yesterday evening and spoke to the Irish international about the emerging gulf developing between Irish provinces and the big English and French teams.
Reports circulating during the week were linking current Leinster outhalf Ian Madigan with a big money move to Bristol, whilst England centre Manu Tuilagi is being touted for a bumper deal once his Leicester contract expires in the Summer.
With such a gulf in finances, Irish players could be tempted away from the Pro 12 which would prove detrimental to the international team going forward.
O'Brien admitted that the money from French and English is definitely on the minds of Irish rugby players.
It's certainly something players will think about, it's very attractive to go to bigger clubs in France and England with major budgets, and it's something that the provinces and the union can't compete with financially.
The flanker went on to say that it will boil down to what suits the individual player at the end of the day.
There's a load of other aspects to think about when you're at that stage of your career, lads will have to do what best for them and best for their career, but it's definitely something people will have to take heed of.
Away from that, O'Brien also was discussing the emerging talent at Leinster. He had high praise for young flanker Josh Van Der Flier and he added that the injury suffered to No.8 Jack Conan would be a big loss to Leinster. He also said that the young players at Leinster were in with a chance of breaking into the Six Nations squad provided they are playing regularly at club level.
Anyone who's playing regular rugby week in, week out of the younger crew will be looked at, but that's down to the coaches [for Ireland] to make that decision.
Sean O'Brien was speaking at the launch of the Life Style Sports "We Are Many, We Are Leinster" campaign.
