Dominguez knows his value

Diego Dominguez will be aiming for the highest individual win bonus in the Six Nations when he comes out of international retirement next month - £7,000-a-match.

The sum, believed to be twice that on offer to the rest of the Italy players, is part of the deal behind the fly half's decision to take the controls again at the age of 34.

He will start against Ireland in Rome on February 3.The bonus is only one illustration of how much Dominguez means to the Azzurri. The little Argentinian, a naturalised Italian, had refused to return because of a dispute over his image rights. Now, after further negotiations with Giancarlo Dondi, the president of the Italian Federation is allowing Dominguez to add at least one of his private sponsors to the national list.

Such a concession underlines the rising value of a player whose 819 points put him second only to Neil Jenkins in the all-time Test list. A few more goals from the Stade Francais stand off a fortnight tomorrow and the Irish may be hard pushed to stop him collecting his jackpot.