FOLLOWING the meeting of the Irish First Division clubs and representatives of Premiere, the sports promotional agency, in Dublin on Tuesday night, the clubs have written to the IRFU asking for a meeting to be arranged as a matter of urgency between them and the union on European competitions next season.
IRFU president Dr Syd Millard said last night in response to the request "As yet we have not got the request, but if the clubs want us to meet them, we will be happy to meet all the Irish clubs, and the First Division clubs can make their points at that meeting. we have made our policy on European competition very clear and everything we have done has been open and above aboard and in the best interests of all the clubs and all the elements, financial and otherwise, of Irish rugby."
Millar handed out a stern warning to clubs to be careful in their dealings with what he termed "interests outside the game" and the siren calls that are coming from people outside this country, who have their own selective interests at heart and who do not give a damn about Irish rugby. I would say to our clubs, be careful, do not allow yourselves to be used. I would add, too, we are currently in the course of the most delicate negotiations that could mean a lot of money for Irish rugby and I would ask that nothing be done to undermine that."
A statement issued last night by European Rugby Cup Ltd, who have been mandated to run the European Cup by the Five Nations Committee, has laid out a new structure for European competition for next season, which could go a long way to defusing some of the current controversy and activity in relation to European competition.
Eight of the 11 Irish First Division clubs were represented at the meeting on Tuesday night which was held at Dublin Airport. Instonians did not respond to the invitation. Lansdowne who were engaged in a Leinster Senior Cup match that night, and Old Wesley had indicated they would send delegates, but, in fact, neither club was represented. However they have attended all previous meeting of the First Division clubs that have been held and their absence was not considered to be significant.
Premiere, whose managing director is Jonathan Price, the former marketing director of the Welsh Rugby Union, attended the meeting and outlined a competitive international package that would embrace Irish clubs.
Among the possibilities is a competition involving Irish and Scottish clubs on similar lines to the proposed Anglo welsh competition. But, in fact, the suggestion of an Ireland Scotland competition is something that has been discussed at official level. It would be run in addition to the European Cup.
Donald Kerr, of Harlequins, who has been acting as spokesman for the English First and Second Division clubs in their ongoing wrangle with the English Rugby Union, and Alan Meredith, of the Welsh First Division clubs, also attended the meeting.
A spokesman for the Irish First Division clubs said yesterday. "The meeting was positive and informative in many respects. This a fact finding exercise. There is a package available, and with the uncertainty that surrounded the concept of European competition next season, it is a question of examining all the options open to Irish clubs.
"It is possible that the benefits of European competition could be open to all the Irish First Division clubs. But we want to emphasise that we are retaining a complete sense of responsibility in this matter. The approval of the IRFU has always been an imperative for us and continues to be."
He went on "It is very evident to us that cross channel clubs want Irish involvement in competition.. We are seeking the meeting with the IRFU with the best possible motives. There is nothing covert in what we are attempting to do."
The IRFU has already held two meetings with all the senior clubs, and Millar said yesterday "Irrespective of this latest request from the First Division clubs, and I welcome the responsible elements in the statement that has been made, it was our intention in any case to have another meeting with our clubs.
"We wanted to wait until the position about the money from television was more clear cut before we called that meeting. We have clearly and openly laid out our policy on European competition. We believe that our best interests are served by the provinces representing Ireland in Europe. That principle has been accepted by ERC.
"From the viewpoint of giving our players experience of a high standard of competition and Irish teams doing well in Europe we see the way forward as provincial representation. All the financial benefits are passed on right through,, the game in this country.
Millar said. "We have reached a stage in rugby where never was unity more important in the history of the game."
