Corrigan move to Lansdowne raises test case for IRFU

Ireland's loosehead prop Reggie Corrigan has joined Lansdowne from Greystones. Corrigan's decision will prove an interesting test case for the IRFU who have yet to ratify the transfer, despite being informed officially by Lansdowne.

Corrigan enjoyed an outstanding introduction to international rugby this season and had been pursued, principally by Lansdowne and St Mary's College, once he had indicated that his future lay away from Dr Hickey Park.

The Union's stance to date has been to actively discourage the movement of national squad members, ostensibly to stop cheque-book driven monopolies, to protect the smaller clubs assets, i.e. their top players. While this would be a laudable gesture in an ideal world the practicalities of the present climate render it unsustainable.

Prohibiting or restricting the freedom of movement of the individual poses legal difficulties, a recourse IRFU should be seeking to avoid. Too many rugby battles are down for decision in the courts rather than on the pitch, a worrying trend.

Lansdowne official Joe Leddin underlined the club's commitment to ensuring that there are no barriers preventing Corrigan playing for the club. "We feel that the IRFU would be wrong to invoke what is essentially a new ruling. It's anti-player, anti-club to a certain extent immoral and has no basis in law. We are reserving our position until we see what decision is taken."

Corrigan confirmed his decision to leave Greystones for Lansdowne. "Greystones were aware that I had to move for the sake of my career and were very understanding. I could not continue to play in Division Two if I was serious about maintaining my position on the national side.

"I still feel that I have a lot to learn and won't accomplish anything unless I extend myself in the form of new challenges. I have worked very hard to get where I am and I am not going to make it easy for someone else to take my position by disappearing from view.

"I weighed up my options and decided on Lansdowne. It was a close run thing with St Mary's College but I knew that Lansdowne have a good set of forwards and are building a strong team for next season. I was really caught between a rock and a hard place whichever way I chose."

Lansdowne's commitment to constructing a playing and marketing framework with which they can challenge Shannon should see them make several further acquisitions. They are expected to announce soon the arrival of London Irish second row Gabriel Fulcher, who has already stated that he is willing to forego an IRFU contract just so he can join the club of his choice.

The IRFU's edict that a player must return to the club and province of origin is creating contractual wrangles and building a resentment that threatens an impasse in a couple of cases.

World Cup holders South Africa will begin the defence of their title in Scotland next year.

Murrayfield will be the venue for six matches during the tournament while Hampden Park, the home of Scottish football, is expected to stage the Springboks' opening pool game.

Four pool games, a quarter-final play-off and a quarter-final will be staged at Murrayfield while another group match will be held at Netherdale.

The reigning champions will learn of their opponents in the Scottish pool when the final qualifying rounds for the finals are completed later this year.

Ken Hutchison, the World Cup's regional manager for Scotland, said: "We had wanted two pool games involving the world champions at Hampden, but there is a European football championship qualifier to play around the time of one of the games in October 99. Therefore we will bring that game to Murrayfield."

If Scotland are successful in their qualifying matches, they will play all of their Cup matches at Murrayfield.