Provinces lose as IRFU tighten ticket system

RUGBY/News: The IRFU international ticket allocation to all four provinces is to be reduced from this November's international friendly series onwards. At least 600 fewer tickets will be made available as the union attempts to stymie the black market sales while also increasing revenue.

The decrease will be done on a pro-rata basis. Leinster will be hit hardest, losing up to 300 tickets, while Munster, Connacht and Ulster will lose approximately five per cent of their current share.

The tickets will be put back into the hospitality sector but IRFU spokesman John Redmond said clubs would benefit from the increased revenue.

"These tickets will be available to the official IRFU hospitality arrangements. The reason is due to the need to maximise commercial opportunities and to raise more funds. Roughly 600 tickets will be taken out of the system under the direct proviso that any revenue made will be put back into the clubs."

Many clubs will be disgruntled as the manner in which the IRFU will funnel profits back to them is not yet clear.

However, the number of tickets going to the corporate sector still remains at fewer than 1,000.

The professional game has in recent years put an increased financial strain on the union, who have responded by introducing or proposing several economies, including the dissolution of Connacht as a professional outfit.

A public outcry ensured that latter idea was put on the back burner but the fiscal realities mean revenue must be sought and rugby's ever-present corporate audience is an obvious target.

The IRFU have been attempting to generate money via their commercial sub-committee. All but one of the new corporate suites attached to the back of the east stand have been sold, while €300,000 was raised from the commercial world cup programme and a further 100,000 before this year's tour to South Africa.

Ireland will play the Springboks, the United States and Argentina at Lansdowne Road on successive weekends, starting on November 13th.

In next year's Six Nations they will host England and France on February 27th and March 12th respectively.