Former Irish player says English salary cap is behind French success

08:30 - 17 April 2015

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The French clubs will continue to lead the way in Europe because of English rugby's salary cap, says Brian O'Driscoll.

Brian O'Driscoll believes the French dominance of European rugby will remain so long as there is a salary cap in England.

Toulon won the final two editions of the Heineken Cup and are in the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup, which take place this weekend, alongside Clermont-Auvergne.

Victories for the pair would make for an all-French final at Twickenham on May 2 and a repeat of 2013's Heineken Cup showpiece.

"I think you probably have to offer the guys that are going to France some more money," O'Driscoll - who won three Heineken Cups with Toulon's opponents Leinster - said.

"Because it's their career and you are going to go where the money is. There is a balance between wanting to go somewhere where you might get success, but you've also got to look after your future.

"It [the cap] is a big factor, it's a big factor because money is going to attract the best players.

"I'd love to see the breakdown of how many SANZAR [South Africa, New Zealand and Australia] team players after the World Cup come to the UK and Ireland and how many go to France. You'd have to imagine the majority will go to France.

"This is a career, it's no different to any other career. If you're offered another £100,000 or £200,000 playing somewhere else the likelihood is you're going to take it.

"I don't know enough about it [the Premiership salary cap]. I don't know what it means to certain clubs. Certain clubs are being squeezed so the cap is there to save them.

"Unless you have a benefactor that comes in and is willing to make a loss, you're in a bit of a tricky predicament.

"You've got to be careful what you do. The English utopia is that each club gets a [Chelsea FC owner] Roman Abramovich and it's their pet thing so they are able to extend salary caps and attract the better players.

"That married with the best of the English academy players coming through, of course they'd be competitive again. But it is going to be a money issue, absolutely. The game is going that way."