IRFU climb down over ticketing 'error'

INTERNATIONAL SERIES:IN WHAT may well be the biggest climbdown in its 131-year history, the IRFU late last night conceded that "it had made an error in its ticketing strategy" for the Guinness International Series and vowed it will review the policy for the Six Nations.

Following a day of increased militancy by the clubs, in which at least 11 Munster clubs are believed to have returned the unsold tickets from their allocations and with post-dated cheques only for amounts sold, the union also said it would not punish clubs by reducing their allocations accordingly for the Six Nations.

“At a meeting of the IRFU management committee it was decided that clubs will only be asked for immediate payment for tickets they have sold for the Guinness Series,” last night’s statement read.

“The IRFU will work with the branches and the clubs to assess the situation regarding unsold tickets with a view to reaching an equitable solution to this difficult problem.

“It was further agreed that ticket allocations to branches and clubs for the 2011 RBS Six Nations matches will not be affected by sales of tickets for the Guinness Series.”

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne was also quoted as saying: “There has been slower than expected demand for this autumn’s Guinness Series. There are a number of elements impacting on this situation since the sales structure was drawn up in March 2010, including a further significant deterioration in the economic climate.

“While the situation varies from club to club, we are aware that a number of clubs are still in possession of tickets for matches. In the interests of Irish rugby, the IRFU, the branches and the clubs, must continue to work hard to sell these tickets right up to kick-off for each match.

“The IRFU do not want to see clubs suffer financial hardship as a result of being unable to sell ticket packages for this Guinness Series and consequently will only seek immediate payment for tickets sold. On completion of the series, the IRFU will work with the branches and clubs to assess the effect of the reduced demand for tickets.

“In addition, the IRFU will undertake a comprehensive review of its entire ticket sales strategy, which includes price tiering, bundling and distribution channels,” added Browne. “As part of this review, which will commence immediately on completion of the Guinness Series, it will consult widely with its stakeholders.”

However, the union has decided not to alter again its ticketing structure for the coming games on the premise that it would disadvantage those who have already bought tickets for either block of two games.

Earlier in the day, an estimated 11 of Munster’s senior and junior clubs were reported to have returned some of their allocation of tickets for Saturday’s match against South Africa to the Munster branch offices in Limerick yesterday, with the remainder of the province’s clubs expected to follow suit today.

This marks a continuation of the strategy which was agreed by representatives of the Munster clubs when they met in Charleville, Co Cork, last on Wednesday. The possibility of calling for an egm, which would require the signatures of 25 clubs, was also mentioned.

All clubs are set to incur significant losses over the course of this month’s four-match Test programme in the Aviva Stadium due to the prices which the IRFU fixed for the games – €180 for one ticket for each of the games against New Zealand and Argentina, and €150 for one ticket for each of the games against South Africa and Samoa.

Every senior club receives 200 tickets per match, and clubs such as Shannon and Cork Constitution estimate they could lose in the region of €25,000 to €40,000 over the course of the four matches.

The Connacht clubs met yesterday and are set to join forces with the Munster clubs, having also agreed the November internationals will cost them similar sums.

Meanwhile, with rain forecast in Cardiff all week, Australia coach Robbie Deans hopes, with his side based on attack, that the Millennium Stadium roof will be shut for Saturday’s Test with Warren Gatland’s Wales.

And Deans will not be reining in his outhalf, Quade Cooper.

“The challenge for Quade will be different to the Tri-Nations,” he said. “He had an insight into that in our last outing against England in June. England have been very confrontational with not a lot of movement and they were successful in denying us in Sydney.

“Quade has played his first Tri-Nations this year and we have choice at 10, which is good, because we have not had a lot of depth there. What happens in the future remains to be seen but he is getting an opportunity. He is a bit like us: we are not the complete package but we are working hard at it.”