The recent IRFU's decision to not renew the contract of Ulster's Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has been met with varying degrees of shock, surprise and condemnation from all four corners of Irish rugby.
As things stand, Pienaar will depart the Ulster team which has been his home for the past six years when his contract expires next summer and will presumably considerably strengthen the ranks of one of Ulster's European rivals in England or France in the process.
Ulster Rugby maintain they have done everything in their power to convince the IRFU to allow Pienaar to stay but their requests have fallen upon deaf ears of Irish rugby chiefs, who contend that Ulster should instead "develop indiginous talent in this position".
Shane Horgan was particularly outspoken in his criticism of the policy, claiming that forcing Pienaar out of the Irish rugby system could undermine the provincial game in the long run by dissuading foreign players from joining Irish provinces.
Pienaar was given a rapturous reception from Ulster fans throughout yesterday's 29-8 Pro 12 opening victory over Dragons at Ravenhill and, as if by fate, was awarded the man of the match awards. Afterwards the South African addressed the fact that he is being forced out of the province he has represented since 2010.
He said:
Emotionally, it's been a tough week for me and my family. But it's pleasing to get the win and great to get a reception like this. I have been here for so long. I feel part of the furniture now. I love this club. I love this city and all the people here. [The reception] meant a lot to me.
For me, it's all about the team and the next 10 months here. Putting up good performances and just enjoying the time I've got left in the jersey. It's been special the last six seasons and hopefully we can make it a good one this year.
[Winning silverware] would be massive for myself and obviously for the team, so that's definitely the aim. Hopefully we can build on this performance and have something to show at the end of the season.
While it does seem that the IRFU have made their decision, any reversal they might make wouldn't be the first time that a popular rugby figure has bowed to public pressure to delay their goodbye from the Irish game (see exhibit A: Brian O'Driscoll opting to play on for "one more year" thanks, in no small part, to a crowd chant at the RDS.
Time will tell, but we're not holding our breath on this one.
[BBC]
