Professionalism on the agenda as IRFU meet

THE committee of the IRFU will meet today with just one item on the agenda, the anxieties and position of the Irish clubs in the wake of the move to professionalism.

Grave reservations have been expressed, notably in Munster and Leinster, on such issues as, representation in the European competitions, the loss of players to English clubs, Irish clubs precarious financial position and the format, structure and position on the calendar of the Insurance Corporation All Ireland League. The clubs also want a severe curtailment of the matches being played by the provinces.

But the Connacht representatives on the IRFU committee will report to the meeting today that the senior clubs in Connacht do not share the views of their counterparts in the other provinces.

Following a meeting on Wednesday night of the Connacht senior clubs and the Branch officials, the clubs want the provinces to continue to represent Ireland in European competitions. In relation to the All Ireland League, they don't want any change in the format of the four divisions. But they have expressed the view that the League should be moved forward, to start much earlier in the season than the December start this season.

Connacht participate in Europe this season for the first time and play in the European Conference. It must also be remembered that there is no Connacht club in the first or second divisions of the league.

Meanwhile, a proposed meeting this week between representatives of the English Professional Rugby Union Clubs (EPRUC) and representatives from Irish first division clubs was cancelled. Officials of EPRUC, including Sir John Hall (Newcastle) and Donal Kerr (Harlequins), two of the leading figures in EPRUC, had been due to travel to Ireland. In the circumstances of the IRFU meeting today and the meeting of the IRFU officers with representatives of the first division clubs next Tuesday, cancellation was a prudent step.

. New Zealander Robbie Paul is set to become the latest recruit from rugby league to make a debut in top flight rugby union when he plays for English League Division One leaders Harlequins at Northampton tomorrow. The 20 year old normally plays at scrum half.

. France's bad boy duo of Olivier Merle and Richard Dourthe are both under scrutiny again after their part in a bad tempered `friendly' clash with Wales.

Dourthe kicked 20 points in his side's 40-33 victory in Cardiff on Wednesday, but faced, along with his fellow countryman, further question marks about his physical approach.

The centre, banned for two games last season after being found guilty of kicking England's Ben Clarke, was accused of stamping on Leigh Davies and spitting in Neil Jenkins face.

Merle, who broke Wales prop Rick Evans leg in the Five Nations meeting in Paris two seasons ago, was warned after the lock threw out a punch at Christian Loader.