The controversies surrounding the timing of Ireland's match against Italy in Bologna today and the other contentious issues regarding the fixture will all be set aside when the action starts.
Perhaps in the midst of the ongoing debate about the release of Keith Wood, the Ireland captain, by his club Harlequins, and the attitude of the Harlequins chief executive, Donald Kerr, we should bear in mind a few pertinent facts.
Harlequins had no alternative but to release Wood and also the Italian prop Massimo Cuttitta. It was strange that it was Wood's name that was constantly put forward during all the talk about release. We heard nothing about Cuttitta. If Wood had not been released, then the International Board would have been prepared to take action to see that their laws were enforced.
Those laws are clear and specific and are the product of an agreement between the member unions. They are not something which the IRFU imposed on anyone. That should be remembered as it seems that some are under the impression that, by selecting Wood and other players with English clubs, the IRFU was imposing its will on English clubs and deliberately seeking confrontation. What the IRFU did was no more than act within its rights, as other unions have done, and within the laws of the International Board.
The board's attitude was spelled out very clearly by Syd Millar, one of Ireland's two representatives on the body. "Of course one seeks and gives co-operation where possible. But any attempt to deny countries the right to select and play their players in internationals will, I can assure you, be vigorously contested. I find it strange that those who are acting in accordance with the laws are being criticised, even pilloried in some quarters, as though they were doing something wrong," said Millar.
International rugby represents the top echelon of the game. It is every player's desire to play for his country as it represents the top honour. That is recognised by every union in the game as, after all, the players are representing their home unions. And if the day comes when that ceases to be the situation, then we can fear for international rugby. The laws of the board are framed to accommodate the right and the desire of players to represent their countries. Nobody was seeking a confrontation with English clubs and is it not true that the Irish training sessions have been arranged to take account of the clubs' needs.
The English clubs were well aware of the law on players' international release when they signed foreign players. The date for the Italy-Ireland match was not arranged without due thought and consideration of all the relevant elements. The date of the match was known long before this season started, indeed for three months before the English League fixtures for next weekend were arranged. I would have thought that rather relevant to the debate. Now, if we are going to be fair about this whole issue, let us get to the kernel of where attitudes need to change. I have pointed out before that on the weekend of March 7th-8th, when Wales play Scotland and France play Ireland, a full programme of Allied Dunbar League matches has been arranged. For instance, on March 7th, Harlequins are due to play Richmond, Leicester play Northampton, London Irish play Gloucester and Newcastle play Sale, while Saracens play Wasps.
Let us suppose that the threatened veto by Kerr and his ilk on the release of players for the match today was upheld, where would that leave the four countries who play on that weekend? Where indeed would it leave the Five Nations Championship? The sheer absurdity of the attitude of Kerr and co is surely put into its proper perspective by the English programme arranged for that weekend. Of course, one recognises the needs of the clubs and naturally there must be co-operation, but let us also have fair play for all countries - not just for England and the English clubs that have signed players from around the world. Some of England's officials seem to think that they not only own players, but the very soul of the game. I would make the point, too, that on the afternoon that Scotland play Italy (January 24th), the fifth round of the English Cup is scheduled.
A month was taken out of the season when England played four internationals in consecutive weeks. It was not possible for Ireland and Scotland to arrange their matches against Italy during that period.
There is another aspect to the match this afternoon, and indeed to Ireland's three-match programme prior to the Five Nations Championship.
It is not very long since there was severe criticism of the inadequacy of Ireland's preparations for the Five Nations programme. The view was, and there was some substance in it, that compared to other participants in the championship, notably England, France and Wales, Ireland's inadequate pre-Christmas programme was having a detrimental effect on the team's championship performances. The IRFU was urged to get its house in order and go and arrange matches. That happens now and the criticism takes on a different focus. But, of course, it is always easier to demolish a building than to construct one.
Reverting to the match this afternoon, Ireland can be assured that they are likely to get an examination of far greater dimension than they got against Canada. The Italians, as they have proved in the last two matches against Ireland and indeed in several other performances of note over the last 12 months, are a side of considerable substance.
Recently, they scored over 30 points against South Africa, they beat Ireland 37-29 and by four tries to one at Lansdowne Road last January. Just prior to that, they lost by just seven points to Scotland and were cruelly unlucky to lose 22-31 to Wales, being the victims of two appalling decisions by the referee. Then last March, Italy beat a full-strength French side in Grenoble by 40-32.
It is a measure of the changes that have been made in the Ireland team that, this afternoon, only three of the side that lost to Italy last January are playing. They are Mark McCall, Keith Wood - by kind permission of Harlequins, of course - and Eric Miller. Granted, circumstances have deprived Ireland of some players, but nonetheless, eight of those who played against Italy last season were available for today's match but were overlooked.
This is a very important match for Ireland, in the team context, and for those who play for Ireland today. It would a very good psychological boost for Ireland to go into the championship on the back of two wins. The rewards for good individual performances would be considerable. There is every possible incentive there for the Irish today.
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