Guinness Premiership
Exiles facing up to Geraghty fight
Scrum.com
February 22, 2009
Shane Geraghty of London Irish and England, January 27 2008.
Shane Geraghty may be about to leave London Irish © Getty Images
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London Irish fly-half Shane Geraghty has admitted that he has a "big decision" to make about his future after he initiated a "get-out" clause in his Exiles contract, allowing him to leave the club at the end of the season.

Despite the recent departures of Wasps trio Riki Flutey, Tom Palmer and James Haskell to lucrative contracts in France, Geraghty is unlikely to hop across the channel. Harlequins are rumoured to be in the hunt for his signature while Geraghty has insisted that his decision will be fuelled by a desire to push his England career forward.

"My decision will be the most suitable option for my England career," said Geraghty, following Irish's 20-20 draw with Premiership play-off rivals Bath. "It is a big decision, and not one I will be making lightly. I will speak to the club again, look at my options and come to a decision."

The Exiles are keen to retain the services of the four-times capped Geraghty, although head coach Toby Booth admits that the club may struggle to convince him to stay.

"His contract, signed prior to my arrival, gives Shane an option to get out," said Booth. "He is the person who has decided to activate that clause, so we will have to see what happens from there. He wants to keep his options open. I've spoken to Shane, and he is very happy at London Irish.

"I knew about his opt-out clause in December, he activated it in January, and from that point in December is where we have been trying to rectify it. As Wasps have found out, unfortunately, the Euro talks at the moment. Some people in their careers feel money is the right option, and some people make career decisions in relation to rugby. Ultimately, it will be the player's decision.

"We are doing everything we can to come to the party on the monetary side so we keep quality players like Shane at the club. He is very important to us and what we do."

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