Top clubs threaten to go on strike

The 16 AIB League first division clubs are considering strike action if they do not get a satisfactory response from their next meeting with the IRFU regarding compensation for the unavailability of contracted players.

Representatives of the 16 first divisions clubs, also known as the Clubs of Ireland, met in Dublin last Wednesday evening ostensibly to decide on whether to start next season's AIL in September, while the provinces are in full swing, or, as has been customary of late, in December, when, in theory, more of their contracted players may become available to them. This was in a response to a request from the IRFU for the clubs themselves to express a preference.

As it happened, in time honoured tradition the clubs were virtually split down the middle, with a vote of 8-7 in favour of an earlier start to the AIL campaign (Terenure College abstained). But it became clear a far more vexed and discussed issue was the matter of financial compensation for the clubs.

A committee, headed by the Clubs of Ireland chairman Barry Bamber from Ballymena, will meet the union, and if their concerns are not given a favourable response then the clubs have discussed not playing a round of matches before the end of the season.

"Drastic measures may have to be taken, such as not playing matches one Saturday, as a means of expressing our anger," said one club spokesperson.

"The clubs have been dictated to by the union for too long. Now the union are insisting they want 16 teams in the first and second divisions, but they can't be expecting the clubs to produce players if they are not compensated for this in return."

The IRFU chief executive Philip Browne was unavailable for comment yesterday evening.

The eight clubs in favour of an earlier start were Belfast Harlequins, Blackrock College, Buccaneers, DLSP, Garryowen, Lansdowne, Old Crescent and Young Munster.