IRFU put together monster deal to keep Tadhg Furlong - reports

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) are putting together a massive deal in a bid to keep Tadhg Furlong it has been reported.

Considered by some to be the best tighthead in the world, Furlong’s stock soared after a series of huge performances for the national side, most notably in Ireland’s victory over the All Blacks in 2016, and during the summer on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

According to a report by SportJoe.ie the IRFU are to offer him between €400,000 to €450,000, a huge increase on the provincial contract he signed with Leinster in 2014.

After flyhalves, elite tightheads can be one of the most lucrative positions for professional rugby players. Ireland relatively modest depth at tighthead will have put an even greater premium on Furlong’s potential earnings.

The new deal for Furlong would put him out of sight of the €260,000 that was offered for Munster backrow CJ Stander, who, along with Peter O’Mahony – is still yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Last week Montpellier reportedly tabled a massive offer for the services of Stander.

A source has told RugbyPass that Stander has been offered in the region of €600,000 per annum to move to the Top14 giants, a figure that far exceeds his IRFU offer, which is reported to be in the region of €260,000.

The Irish tax system allows rugby players and other sports people tax relief at a rate of a 40 per cent deduction of your gross earnings based on your income arising in the year of retirement and the preceding 14 years of assessment, provided you were resident in Ireland and end your career in Europe.

Pressure has been heaped on the IRFU in recent months, as negotiations for the services of Stander and Peter O’Mahony appeared to have hit a roadblock.

The two backrows are among Munster’s most prized assets, yet the IRFU has so far failed to lock down contracts with the pair, an issue which has made national headlines in Ireland.