Connacht supporters prepare for protest

It appears Connacht supporters are ready to take to the streets again over what they perceive to be an attempt by the IRFU to downgrade the professional game in the province.

Their ire is directed at what they perceive to be the IRFU's singularly unenthusiastic reaction to their plan to repatriate English-based players like Johnny O'Connor, Gavin Duffy, Colm Rigney and Damian Browne, and others such as Llanelli captain and Irish flanker Simon Easterby.

The Connacht Rugby Supporters Club Dublin (CRSCD) have threatened to stage demonstrations to highlight what they see as the deliberate under-funding of the professional game in the West. CRSCD chairman Aubrey Bourke said in a statement released following a meeting of the supporters club in Dublin there is a lot of anger among Connacht fans over this issue.

"We felt that we had passed the time of mass demonstrations and marches to the point where we could focus upon developments on the playing pitch. Regretfully it now appears that we may have to revisit this method of public agitation again.

"What's wrong with bringing these players home? In essence this policy of preventing Connacht to build up its squad flies in the face of the IRFU's stated policy of having Irish players based in Ireland. Denying Connacht the permission to bring the players home from England even if Connacht raises the funds itself smacks of a hidden agenda.

"The union's surprise at learning of the players' interest in returning to Ireland and playing for Connacht suggests that the union may be out of touch with some of its international players."

Bourke feels Connacht's European ambitions are not being facilitated. "Two seasons ago the Connacht team was threatened with extinction. Since gaining a reprieve the side has exceeded all expectations, building steadily and developing a reputation as a fearless side, particularly in European competition.

"The plan to bring home Irish-qualified players, consistent with IRFU policy, would have a hugely beneficial impact on the game not only in the province in terms of profile but also in maximising the longevity of players' careers.

"Given the IRFU's track record with Connacht, supporters have every right to be concerned. It would appear that this is part of an IRFU policy of deliberately under-funding Connacht and blocking any attempts to boost the squad. This kind of policy can only have one goal - to allow Connacht to wither on the vine."

This decision, coupled with the IRFU vagueness about Connacht's future funding beyond 2006, has set off alarm bells with players and supporters. "Could it be the IRFU are learning from the Scottish example with Borders? Just under-fund Connacht for a year or two, let their best players go abroad, block their return and with any luck they will sink without a trace. It's obvious the IRFU have learned from January 2003 and the new unstated back-door policy is to squeeze the life out of Connacht."

The IRFU confirmed the Connacht Branch were asked to put forward a business plan to cover amongst other things the repatriation of players. The union made their request to Connacht delegates at a meeting yesterday afternoon and have requested a full briefing on the proposals and their implementation.