>> O’Mahony to Gloucester?
GLOUCESTER are in the race to land Munster captain Peter O’Mahony, who has rejected the Irish Rugby Union’s offer of a new contract. Dragons last week confirmed the signing of Cherry & Whites back row Ross Moriarty and see O’Mahony as a perfect like-for-like replacement. The 28-year-old, who captained the Lions in the first Test against New Zealand, is out of contract next summer and believes the new contract offer falls someway short of his true market value. Irish players are normally reluctant to leave Ireland but the decision by Simon Zebo to join Racing 92 could open the floodgates for others to follow. O’Mahony could rule himself out of the 2019 World Cup if he does move to Kingsholm because Ireland boss Joe Schmidt is reluctant to select overseas players.
Munster are facing problems as South African-born back rower CJ Stander has also rejected the offer of a national deal amid interest from across the Channel.
According to Blindside sources in Ireland, the Cherry & Whites have spoken to O’Mahony’s advisors to see if he is serious about leaving Munster.
In the past Irish players have found it hard to leave the country when push comes to shove because of generous tax rules when they eventually call time on their playing careers.
But Racing 92 are believed to have offered Zebo double what is on the table from the IRFU.
Gloucester have cash to spend and cannot be ruled out of the running if O’Mahony decides his immediate future is overseas.