Return of Irish players is vital

It has been a regular if regrettable aspect of rugby over the last few years that not a week goes by without another controversy, another contentious dispute. Clubs are at odds with unions, their own and other administrative authorities, England and Wales being very notable examples. The organisers of the European Cup (ERC) have come in for very specific and bitter criticism of late yet again, with the salvo and the threats of boycott and withdrawal being fired by the English First Division clubs.

We have organisations within organisations, the English Rugby Partnership, the First Division clubs. They all have their own specific agendas and selective interests. Never mind that the professional element of the game represents only a small percentage of it.

They, however, take upon themselves the right to act as if they own rugby body and soul. The philosophy seems apparent, might is right, just ignore morality. Professionalism is reality at the top level, it does not bestow plenary powers.

Let us look at some recent events. We had the threats that Irish players would not be released to play against Italy. The Scots endured the same in preparation for their game against Italy in Treviso today. There is a full English programme arranged for one of the days Ireland will play in the Five Nations Championship as will Scotland and Wales. Now we have had the English clubs threat of withdrawal from the European Cup to set up an Anglo-French competition.

They argue about money and the structure of the season. One wonders if the meeting of ERC yesterday will bring about a settlement. The structure of the season is an issue here, too, and so is the number of clubs in the first division of the AIB league. But while the call here is for a considerable reduction in the top division, the suggestion in England is for an increase from 12 to 14 clubs. That is supposed to be about generating more revenue, whatever about standards.

The placement of the European Cup and Conference on the calendar must be examined and possibly amended. But is it not true that since the English clubs joined in, there has been nothing but threats and controversy. Is it not true, too, that several European Cup matches drew very disappointing attendances in England. Would an Anglo-French competition draw more?

Is it not a little ironic that, while the English clubs discuss increasing their first division, the French have actually decided to trim their first division to 16 from 20 clubs with two pools of eight. I hope due note is taken of that in this country.

The English clubs have gone around the world signing players that many of them clearly cannot afford. That causes obvious financial problems, but it also has a knock-on effect when those clubs effectively control international squad players from other countries.

It has been said that figures can be made to prove anything. But there are statistics central to the club game in England that explain the financial difficulties, and cause other problems, nationally and internationally.

So what is the truth about the foreign legion in the English game? The 12 first division clubs have between them 135 players, drawn from 14 countries, who are not qualified to play for England. Even taking squads of 21 for each match that means that over 50 per cent of the players in the first division are in effect foreign.

Is it any wonder that Fran Cotton, the man who was charged with putting the England team management in place, has expressed his great anxiety. He has described it as "madness".

Ireland is, of course, caught up in this web on several fronts. The Irish players who play in England are ruled out of European competition for their provinces. If the English clubs withdraw from the European Cup, then the Irish players with the first division clubs will not have European competition other than the Anglo-French Cup if it materialises. How will that fit into the rugby calendar alongside 26 matches in the first division, cup ties and for some representative matches.

Bearing in mind all the problems that are besetting the game because of the policies adopted by the English clubs, the case for getting Ireland's players back to play here at club and provincial levels is now overwhelming.

Here the IRFU must take action on several fronts. It must be made worthwhile for the players to return. That brings into play the issue of contracts, the money involved and the policy of issuing those contracts. Some changes are required in that area.

But there is now an ever growing volume of support within the IRFU for a major alteration in selection policy in relation to not alone the Ireland team, but the A and under-21 sides. The view is that selection of those sides should be confined to home based players.

What greater incentive to keep players at home and what greater incentive to get players to return to Ireland could there be. There would be exceptions in the case of players who are qualified for Ireland who have been born in and have played all their rugby in England.

The return of players from England would give the domestic game a great lift, increase the scope of selection for the provinces and allow Ireland to get on with its own business free from the burdens and threats with which we have lived and endured for too long.