RaboDirect PRO12
O'Leary weighs up Perpignan switch
ESPNscrum Staff
February 20, 2012
Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary passes the ball, Montauban v Munster, Heineken Cup, Montauban, January 25, 2009
Munster No.9 Tomas O'Leary is considering a switch to France's Top 14 © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Tomas O'Leary | Peter Stringer
Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12

Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary is set to decide this week whether his playing future lies in Ireland or France.

The 28-year-old Ireland international, whose last Test cap came in the defeat to France last August, is reportedly weighing up a new deal from Munster and a lucrative contract offer from Top 14 giants Perpignan with a decision expected in the next few days.

A notable omission from Ireland's Rugby World Cup squad, O'Leary has battled a succession of injuries since being ruled out of the British & Irish Lions' tour to South Africa in 2011 and more recently lost his provincial place to Conor Murray. However, he was back on domestic duty in Munster's 35-14 victory over Treviso on Saturday night.

A key member of the Munster squad for the past seven years, it is understood his latest contract offer from the current PRO12 champions is not centrally-funded by the Irish Rugby Football Union as previously. The Irish Times also reports Perpignan have tabled what is believed to be a more lucrative financial package. "Tomás has not signed any contract yet - he'll make a decision this week," his agent Niall Woods told the newspaper.

One interested observer is set to be provincial rival Peter Stringer who is currently on loan with Aviva Premiership side Saracens. The 35-year-old is out of contract at Munster at the end of the season and his short-term deal with Sarries ends next month with a decision on O'Leary's future set to be pivotal in deciding his own playing future.

"Saracens are very pleased with the job Peter has done, especially guiding their young scrumhalf [Ben] Spencer but their two injured nines are back again and that was the deal," said his agent John Baker. "His Munster contract is up in June. There has been no new offer from them as yet."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.