PAUL BURKE, Cork Constitution's international outside half, is the latest Irish player to join the exodus to England. Burke will, this week sign for first division club Bristol. He will sign a three year contract worth over £160,000.
Burke, capped on seven occasions by Ireland, confirmed last night that he is moving to Bristol. "There are a few details of the contract that have to be finalised but I do not anticipate any problems. I am definitely joining Bristol," said Burke. "It was a hard decision in many respects but I have given it a great deal of thought and I see it as the right career move. One of the factors which influenced me is that I will be playing at a consistently high level in the English first division, week in week out. That should help my game.
"I am very sorry to be leaving Cork Constitution with whom I have had two very enjoyable years. I have explained the position to the club and they fully understand my reasons for going. I have also notified Christian Brothers College, where I have been teaching, and they have been equally supportive and understanding.
"A clause in the contract with Bristol is that I will be available to play for Munster in the European Cup. This means I will not be playing for Bristol in the European Federation competition and they accept this. But I will not be available for the Interprovincial series."
That series will clash with Bristol's Courage League programme.
Burke said he will be consulting the IRFU on aspects of his move but has decided not to wait until the details of the IRFU playing contracts for home based players are finalised.
Burke joined Constitution two years ago from London Irish and made his international debut against England in January 1995. He had played for England at schools and under 21 level before declaring for Ireland three years ago.
Ironically, he will be teaming up with a man at Bristol with whom he played for England at schools and under 21 levels, England scrum half Kyran Bracken, who will captain Bristol next season. Bracken was actually born in Ireland, but opted to declare for England. Burke will also be joining another Cork Constitution and Ireland player, David Corkery, who recently joined Bristol.
"I suppose it was always my intention to return to England to play at club level, but I leave Cork with considerable regret," said Burke, who was born in London of Irish parents who still live in the London area.
Burke is the third international Constitution have lost. Second row Gabriel Fulcher, like Corkery and Burke, will be playing his club rugby in England next season - in his case with London Irish.
