ATTR, The WRU were not slavishly going to copy the Irish model, talk was only of centrally contracting 6 key players. The IRFU won't say how many it contracts, but it's more like 23 to 30 players or perhaps even more.
Jenko, I agree the IRFU Payroll is at breaking point. If Jamie Heaslip has an offer let him take it, Ireland cannot afford 23 All-stars, as Toulon can. (Nor would we actually want them even if we could afford it.)
Jonathan Sexton was reduced to tears by the IRFU (not budging) ; what did he expect
€660,000 (£562,000)? Even if the IRFU halved the number of contracts they could not afford to double the pay of the starting XV, simple as that. Given that Heaslip's current 3 year deal costs the IRFU over €1million, (£278k/year) he's unlikely to get more.
Only other key players concerned, by the 23 January dead-line (are at this point in time) Sean O’Brien, Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls.
Of around* 14 contracts up for renewal, 9 have already been signed ; if P O'C doesn't renew, it'll be because he's retiring (maybe to coach overseas) : I'd be surprised if Earls doesn't sign. So you're looking at 2 to 3 players tops, hardly the flood journalists are making it out to be.
3 years extension signed
Donnacha Ryan
Paul Marshall
2 years extension signed
Conor Murray
Rory Best
John Muldoon
Donncha O’Callaghan
Tommy O'Donnell
1 year extension signed
Brian O'Driscoll
Rodney Ah You
Players like Peter O'Mahony, Rob Kearney, Gordon D'Arcy, Ian Madigan, Robbie Henshaw, Cian Healy, Mike Ross and Kieran Marmion are all under contract until June 2015 (& beyond for some) Martin Moore (uncapped) may sign an initial 4 year contract with the IRFU.
*Tom Court may or may not have signed, find no mention on-line.