Hobson's choice for IRFU

THE IRFU is faced with the unpalatable prospect of excluding one of the remaining three provinces from the Heineken Cup if Connacht win the Parker Pen Challenge Cup.

Connacht face Harlequins in the semi-final first leg at The Stoop on Sunday week, with the home leg at the Sportsgrounds in Galway on April 25.

If they win the Cup, they qualify as of right for the 2004-2005 Heineken Cup, and with Ireland limited to three sides in the senior competition, the IRFU will be faced with the decision to axe one from Munster, Leinster and Ulster.