WITH the Insurance Corporation All Ireland League due to resume today, nine of the first division clubs in the league met in Portlaoise on Thursday night Ballymena and Instonians were not represented and have requested a meeting with the IRFU.

The intention is that this meeting will be independent of the meeting that has been called by the union with all the clubs in the All Ireland League. That has been scheduled for Lansdowne Road tomorrow week at 11.30am.

The agenda for that will be to outline the new structure of the league for next season, the reasoning behind it and to explain and offer guidance on what is happening, officially through the rugby unions and unofficially with regard to attempts to start competitions financed by Sky television.

The First Division clubs meeting at Portlaoise was constructive and yet again, it was made implicitly clear by representatives from every club that nothing would be done in relation to entry to European competitions with out the permission and authority of the IRFU.

But there is understandable anxiety about what is happening in relation to European competitions and the activity in Britain. What the clubs do not want is to be left out on a limb and to be able to try, so far as is within their capacity, to keep their players.

That certainly represents a huge challenge with Irish clubs unable to match the contracts being offered by the big English clubs. But what was agreed specifically in Portlaoise was (1) That Irish clubs are prepared to proceed with entry into European competition next season only if the existing situation in relation to Europe is officially altered and (2) There must be the total approval of the IRFU. The decision to seek a meeting with the IRFL was unanimous.

I do not think anyone can consider that unreasonable. The clubs are showing a very responsible attitude which contrasts with what is happening in Britain and the IRFU should show due recognition of that.

The activity 6ii the field this afternoon could see a changed order at the top of the league tables. With relegation no longer a sceptre hanging over clubs in division one, perhaps those in the lower orders of the league, freed of the burden that defeat could impose, will not be hide bound by a conservative approach.

The meeting of Garryowen and Cork Constitution in the first division tie at Temple Hill brings together two clubs both of whom have lost just, one match. Garryowen head the table on 10 points but have played a match more than the immediate pursuit represented by St Mary and Cork Constitution.

St Mary's make the short journey to Stradbrook to meet Blackrock College, who having lost three matches, are effectively out of contention. Those going to this match are reminded that there will be no parking on Stradbrook Road and are asked to travel to the ground in good time. Shannon, the defending champions, and Young Munster who have both lost two matches are still very much in contention and both have home advantage today against Ballymena and Lansdowne respectively.

Second division leaders Old Crescent are not engaged so second placed Dungannon can go back to the top of the table if they defeat Terenure at Stevenson Park. Old Crescent who have a 100 per cent record and Dungannon, whose only loss was to Old Crescent, are very well placed to go into the first division. However, with three clubs being promoted there will be a tremendous battle for the third place and Terenure are one of those involved as are Greystones, (two defeats) Wanderers (also two defeats) and Sunday's Well and Terenure, who have both dropped five points. That position places immense significance to the meeting of Wanderers and Greystones today at Lansdowne Road.

With six clubs being promoted from division three, the focus will be on matches involving teams in the middle order of the league. UCC, Buccaneers and DLSP are all on five points, UCD and Skerries are on six and all clubs have played six matches. Buccaneers are at home to Bangor, UCC to Galwegians, but DLSP meet league leaders Monkstown at Sydney Parade. UCD travel to Waterpark and Skerries are away to third placed City of Derry while Bohemians, in fourth place, meet second placed Highfield in Cork ...

Fourth division leaders Dublin University will be favoured to consolidate their top place when they travel to meet Sligo. Portadown have 10 points and there are three on eight, Queen's University, Collegians and Corinthians. Queen's meet Collegians at Upper Malone, Portadown travel to Corinthians.

. A last gasp try by replacement lock Johan Kapp salvaged a 16-16 draw for Western Province against Canterbury in their Super 12 clash yesterday. The match between the two bottom placed teams was tied at 9-9 at half time, a score that rather flattered the Canterbury Crusaders' performance.

But the home side seemed to find their feet in the second half and got away to an early 16-9 lead.

They kept their nose in front until right on full time when Kapp burst over following a series of attacks on the Canterbury line.

Replacement fly half Vlok Cilliers, who came on for Joel Stransky, kicked the conversion to give the South Africans the draw.