Whelan to meet London Irish over player ban

THE Irish provinces can resign themselves to being without their England based players for the European Cup. Despite assurances, written and verbal, that players would be released, London Irish yesterday issued a statement confirming what has been in the wind in recent times, that the club will not release any players for European competition.

Also, Northampton have informed Jonathan Bell and Allan Clarke that they will not be released to play for Ulster.

Those decisions fall into line with the policy of the English Professional Rugby Union Clubs (EPRUC), as outlined in this newspaper last Tuesday, that the English clubs should not release their Irish players.

One cannot escape the conclusion that, while the decisions of London Irish and Northampton may well serve their best interests in the short term, there is a concerted move by EPRUC to form a European super league of 16 clubs to replace the European Cup and European Conference competitions.

That super league cannot go ahead this season, but the refusal of the EPRUC clubs to commit themselves to a two year entry in the European competitions gives added substance to the efforts being made to be part of the so called super league.

The English clubs have not yet signed the European Rugby Cup (ERC) agreement, but have intimated they will compete this season. In the short term, that suits their purpose.

One must therefore judge the actions of the English clubs in relation to their Irish based players against the whole sordid background of what has and is taking place in the game.

The statement issued by London Irish was short and quite candidly revealing only in its brevity. It was issued by the club's press officer, Michael Flatley. The statement reads: "London Irish will not be releasing any of their players to represent their provinces in the European Cup competition this season. This is for contractual reasons. I am sure it will cause great disappointment."

The coach of London Irish, Clive Woodward, spoke to the Ireland manager, Pat Whelan, last night, and they will meet in London on Saturday. Woodward said: "We have arranged to meet and will discuss the matter in depth, including the content of the letter I wrote to him." That could represent the best chance that some, at least, of the players might be released.

Commenting on the statement issued by the club, Woodward said: "The club has taken the decision and not me as London Irish coach. But I do support the decision. I do not want players involved in the current debate. I understand that there will be disappointment.

"It is true, as you have stated, that EPRUC did recommend that the English clubs should not release the players to play for their Irish provinces. But I am not going to hide behind any suggestion from EPRUC, although the club is a member of EPRUC.

"One of the most damaging things that happened was the decision by the Irish management to ask players a few weeks ago to travel to Ireland on successive \weekends and ask players to play two matches on the day after the had played very hard league matches. The players had no enthusiasm for that, and quite honestly that changed the feelings of the clubs over here overnight about the release of their players. Co operation is a two way thing."

Clearly, the players are in a Catch 22 situation. One of them said yesterday: "In the light of recent events we are not surprised at what has happened, but very disappointed. But it is hard for us to say anything as we are in a very awkward position."

Will some of them make a unilateral declaration of independence? If they do, they would need to take good advice and make sure of the specific terms of their contracts. They are hoping Whelan will be able to intervene.

At least one member of the Irish team management has also been told that he is not to contact the London Irish players and that any contact must be made through officials of the London Irish club.

That, sadly, is what rugby is all about in this era, and to think that London Irish enjoys a special and privileged position within the IRFU. That is unlikely to last much longer.

The Leinster manager, Jim Glennon, said: "I feel really sorry for the players. Just a few weeks ago, the honorary secretary of the Leinster Branch, Sandy Heffernan, the coach, Ciaran Callan, and myself travelled to London to meet London Irish officials. We were given categorical assurances at that meeting that the players would be released.

"We must go ahead now and plan without the England based players. At the back of my mind I have always had doubts about the players release despite the verbal assurances. The players would have to be careful about defying the clubs' edicts.

"But I hope it will concentrate the minds of players and those who advocated the benefits of Irish players moving to England as to exactly what is involved The sooner we get our players back here the better for everyone.

"I would have thought playing in the European Cup represents a higher standard of competition than the Courage League. Furthermore, I cannot see that it is conducive to players producing their best form when they are being told one thing and then exactly the opposite takes place. I have not been told officially I cannot contact Leinster players who are with London Irish, but I have heard that such an instruction has been issued."

There were suggestions yesterday, too, that the London Irish players were told not to contact branch officials in Ireland. Asked yesterday if this was so, one London Irish player said: "It would be an embarrassment to answer that question."

Meanwhile, despite the decision of ITV not to televise the European Cup matches, Tom Kiernan, the chairman of ERC, said yesterday: "The European Cup will go ahead as arranged. We have our sponsors, French television are covering the matches and we hope to make arrangements with other broadcasters.

What has not helped the organisers is the attitude adopted by the English clubs and the uncertainty surrounding club European competition next season. The competition was run with great success last season when English clubs did not participate. The reality is that the directors of ERC are being caught up in the political manoeuvring.