IRFU 'allowing Connacht rugby wither on the vine'

IRFU chiefs last night emphatically rejected fresh claims that Lansdowne Road is trying to put Connacht rugby out of existence.

Angry Connacht supporters have threatened protests to show their disapproval of "IRFU policy", and have not ruled out rallies during the Six Nations games in Dublin.

Connacht fans are unhappy that plans to bring Irish players home to build up a more formidable Connacht side have not been supported by the governing body. The Connacht Branch says it wants to bring back the likes of Johnny O'Connor, Gavin Duffy, Colm Rigney and Damian Browne, all of whom play in England, but the IRFU pointed out yesterday that some of those players are under contract with their clubs. Union chief executive Phillip Browne wants a proper business plan from Connacht to prove their proposals are viable.

"There has been no formal proposals about what Connacht want to do, no detailed plan. If any province in Ireland has plans and if any of them can convince the IRFU that those plans can be substantiated on a financial basis, then there should be no problem," said IRFU spokesman John Redmond.

"Connacht have not produced such a plan at this stage, only suggestions. The IRFU pay millions out each year to support the professional game."

That hasn't deterred the Connacht Rugby Supporters Club in Dublin (CRSCD) from threatening protests to highlight what they see as "deliberate under-funding" of the professional game in the west.

Chairman Aubrey Bourke said: "We felt we had passed the time of mass demonstrations and marches to the point where we could focus on developments on the playing pitch. Regretfully we may have to revisit this method of public agitation."

Bourke pointed to inconsistencies in the IRFU's attitude to the plan.

"What's wrong with bringing these players home? In essence this policy of preventing Connacht to build up its squad flies in the face of the IRFU's stated policy of having Irish players based in Ireland.

"Denying Connacht the permission to bring the players home from England, even if Connacht raises the funds itself, smacks of a hidden agenda. It would appear the IRFU prefers that Irish internationals like Johnny O'Connor and Gavin Duffy play their rugby in England rather than in Ireland with Connacht.

"The Union's surprise at learning of the players' interest in returning to Ireland and playing for Connacht suggests the Union may be out of touch with some of its international players."

While winning the Heineken Cup is the 'Holy Grail' for Leinster and Munster, Bourke said getting into the competition is Connacht's priority and they feel they have not been helped in this regard.

"Two seasons ago the Connacht team was threatened with extinction. Since gaining a reprieve the side has exceeded all expectations, building steadily and developing a reputation as a fearless side, particularly in European competition. The plan to bring home Irish-qualified players, consistent with IRFU policy, would have a hugely beneficial impact on the game, not only in the province in terms of profile, but also in maximising the longevity of players' careers.

"Given the IRFU's track record with Connacht, supporters have every right to be concerned. It would appear this is part of an IRFU policy of deliberately under-funding Connacht and blocking any attempts to boost the squad. This kind of policy can only have one goal - to allow Connacht to wither on the vine. This decision, coupled with the IRFU vagueness about Connacht's future funding beyond 2006, has set off alarm bells with players and supporters.

"Could it be that the IRFU are learning from the Scottish example with Borders? Just under-fund Connacht for a year or two, let their best players go abroad, block their return, and with any luck they will sink without a trace.

"It's obvious the IRFU have learned from January 2003 and the new unstated back door policy is to squeeze the life out of Connacht. We hope there is enough sense in IRFU headquarters to see that building up the Connacht squad, rather than benign neglect, is good for Irish rugby and the Irish team.

"Nobody in Irish rugby wants a repeat of January 2003."

Meanwhile, Connacht have brought forward their Celtic League game against Llanelli from Saturday, February 19 to the previous night. The game has a change of venue to Dubarry Park, Athlone (7.30pm).