The IRFU and Rugby Players Ireland have finally reached an agreement on player pay. 

Rugby has been on hold since March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with the Guinness Pro14 season resuming next month.

The club game can resume in September, with the Energia All Ireland League season not starting until January.

Players earning more than €25,000 a year will see a 10 per cent pay reduction for the second half of 2020. 

Players will also see a 10 per cent pay deferral between July 1st and December 31st. 

5 per cent of that deferral will be subject to a retrospective salary reduction pending the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

RPI chief executive Simon Keogh said of the deal, "Aware of the significant challenges facing not just rugby but the country as a whole as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we believe the agreement reached is reflective of our shared ambition to see rugby at all levels continue to thrive.

"We would like to acknowledge the good working relationship with the IRFU that has underpinned the process and will continue to contribute to Ireland’s on-field success.

"The players have already returned to work and are focused on preparing for the much-anticipated return to competitive rugby in August."

Keogh's IRFU counterpart Philip Browne added, "Irish Rugby, like all sports organisations, businesses and society in general, has been severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis with major uncertainty continuing around our future financial income streams.

"The IRFU, the Provinces and Clubs remain in a highly precarious financial situation, making it critically important that an agreement was reached on this matter."