Top clubs could form breakaway league after IRFU decision

TOP Irish clubs could make a radical challenge to the Irish Rugby Football Union at a meeting in Dublin tomorrow.

Sources suggest the challenge could be as strong as setting up a breakaway league in the aftermath of the recent decision to downgrade the All Ireland League.

The IRFU officially unveils the club blueprint for the future in Dublin today but that will be followed by an emergency meeting of the first division clubs.

Emotions within several of these clubs are running high and one source suggested yesterday it could lead to a rebellious breakaway from the IRFU.

"Things have gone too far at this stage. We're not at all happy with the treatment we have been given. The club structure in this country is crumbling and it seems the progressive clubs are being punished for what they have achieved in very difficult circumstances.

"There is talk about a breakaway, about doing deals with multinational companies, one in particular, to fund some kind of a league to allow clubs survive into the future. We will have to wait and see how it goes but there are a lot of angry people out there with the way the IRFU have handled this whole issue."

Meanwhile, Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made eight changes to the side to play Glasgow at the Sports ground on Saturday (2.30 pm) as they continue their successful rotation policy.

Connacht will be hoping to bounce back from their 21-18 loss to Cardiff as they bid to complete a Celtic League double over Glasgow, having beaten them 30-19 earlier this season.

Bernard Jackman and Adrian Clarke return to the front row, while Mike McCarthy partners Andrew Farley in the second row.

Flankers Paul Neville and Tom Carter return to the side, while John O'Sullivan is selected at No. 8. In the backs, Shane Moore starts at inside centre with top try scorer Conor McPhillips returning on the left wing.

On the national front, it has been confirmed Donnacha O'Callaghan could be back in action for the RBS Six Nations clash with Italy after missing the game against England on Saturday week. The Ireland squad to play England will be announced on Friday.

The following players have been invited to join the squad chosen against Wales for a mini-camp in Dublin on Tuesday to Thursday of this week: G Duffy (Harlequins), R Henderson (Munster), A Horgan (Munster), J Kelly (Munster), B Jackman (Connacht), G Longwell (Ulster), M McCullough (Ulster) and N McMillan (Ulster).

CONNACHT (v Glasgow): M. McHugh; M. Mostyn, D. Yapp, S. Moore, C. McPhillips; E. Elwood, C. O'Loughlin; D. McFarland, B. Jackman, A. Clarke; M. McCarthy, A. Farley; P. Neville, T. Carter, J. O'Sullivan. Replacements: J. Fogarty, F. Boiroux, D. Browne, M. Swift, M. Walls, D. Hewitt, T. Robinson.

LEINSTER LIONS (v Edinburgh) Friday February, 27, at Meadowbank, 7.30pm: J Norton; J Mc Weeney, C Warner; F Contepomi, B Burke; M Leek, B O'Meara; P Coyle, G Hickie, S Brophy; C Potts, B Gissing; D Dillon, N Ronan, V Costello. Replacements: J Moran, D Blaney, A Kearney, S Crawford, B O'Riordan, J Downey, G Brown. Not considered due to injury: E Byrne, D Molloy, D Hegarty, A McCullen, N Breslin, L Cullen, D Hickie, K Lewis, J Lyne, A McCullen, N Treston, E Miller, D Quinlan.