Brian O'Driscoll believes rugby is in a 'dangerous place' due to Covid-19

Finances will be a huge issue going forward and O'Driscoll reckons players must show understanding

Brian O'Driscoll believes rugby is in a "precarious place" as Covid-19 has put the sport in serious financial trouble.

But the former Ireland great insists it's all about the timing for rugby's return as he fears that a premature comeback could cause further damage.

O'Driscoll, as an International Rugby Players Association board member, is cognisant of the behind the scenes conversations happening on how to choreograph a return.

Government permitting, Irish rugby will resume on the weekend of August 22/23 but O'Driscoll warned: "You have to get the timing right to make sure there's no false starts.

"That's a big issue - particularly in England.

"In the Premiership they can't afford a false start where they take them off furlough, take them back training and pay them full whack  - then all of a sudden they're not going to play games.

"I'm not entirely sure what's going with the broadcasting rights. I believe BT have paid it.

"But it's a really tricky one and it's in a precarious place at the moment where if it does go on much longer, we're running out of runway."

In Ireland, professionals have had wages deferred - but the possibility of wage cuts exists.

However O'Driscoll says players must have understanding of the situation that clubs and Unions are in.

He commented: "It's inevitable, irrespective of what players say they need, from a monetary and financial point of view the Unions are going to have their hands tied.

"You read the monies that they (the IRFU) got for the sale at Newlands Cross, the CVC money coming in - so much of that is just going to be written off.

"So it's a pretty dangerous place - and as much as you want player power, you've got to be understanding as well of the circumstances that all the different Unions and clubs find themselves in."

Speaking on Off The Ball, O'Driscoll addressed the possibility of a global calendar being put in place by 2022.

The former Ireland skipper acknowledged that while a number of players will be happy to play more for more pay, others will be looking to career longevity by keeping the status quo.

While acknowledging the "intangible" success of the Six Nations, the 41-year-old has no issue with suggestions that the championship could move to an April finish - or with the idea of world champions South Africa coming on board.

"SANZAR certainly wish that they could bottle it, it's something that they have tried to replicate with no joy," he said.

"You have to be very careful that you don't change things too much because it's the cash cow for the Northern Hemisphere teams, no doubt.

"But if you look at the way the world is modernising, you can't be stuck in your old ways.

"You've got to have an ability to adjust and manoeuvre with the times. When you look at a powerhouse like South Africa, they would be a brilliant addition.

"They're three-time World Cup winners. They're consistently eating at the top table.

"It's a smart play. It feels as though it might be inevitable."