O'Cuinneagain may move to Irish province

Dion O'Cuinneagain could become the next Irish international to leave the English club game and base himself in these shores after the South African-born flanker confirmed last night that he would be leaving his present club Sale at the end of the season.Conflicting rumours have emanated from the Manchester club regarding the position of O'Cuinneagain and several other high-profile players at the cash-strapped club since they announced plans to cut their wage bill by more than 50 per cent to just over £1 million. All the more so as this scenario necessitated reductions of 25 per cent or more for many of the playing staff, thereby effectively making them free agents.It had been suggested that O'Cuinneagain was being placed on the transfer list by Sale, but though the player himself denied this was true, he did confirm that "it looks like I will be leaving Sale within the next two months, and as things stand, I am a free agent."Were O'Cuinneagain to take up the option of an IRFU contract and be based in Ireland, the likelihood is that he would be based in either Connacht or Leinster.However, it is possible that O'Cuinneagain may also attract offers from other English clubs, and that his plans for next season will not be resolved until after the Australian tour.