Hardball.

Following on from yesterday’s news that both Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Furlong have both signed three-year contract extensions with the IRFU, a lot of people are asking about CJ Stander.

The South African-born back-row star is another high-profile Irish international who’s contract is up at the end of the season. Having turned down the IRFU’s initial offer just like O’Mahony, it appears a deal is still yet to be reached.

Stander was reportedly initially offered a deal worth €280k-a-season, far below his expectations, but according to a report by Pat McCarry of SportsJoe, the second offer from the IRFU still falls short.

Right now an offer of around €360-€380k base salary is said to be on the table for Stander, and he and his representatives still feel like he is worth slightly more than that.

O’Mahony’s new contract is said to be around €430k base, while Furlong’s is €450k. Stander it seems, feels he should be in that bracket and remains the biggest flight risk.

Considering Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien are said to be on over €500k, you can’t really blame him. Time for the IRFU to cough up another few quid, or Stander might actually seek employment elsewhere.