Connacht rugby reprieve on the cards

CONNACHT rugby has won a stay of execution in the latest twist over the future of the province’s senior squad.

IRFU chiefs agreed yesterday that the Connacht question would be subsumed into a major strategic plan and would not be dealt with in isolation next month, as was feared.

In a statement last night the Union said that only following this process would decisions be taken on the future of domestic club and provincial rugby. The IRFU added: "In the meantime, the process of contracting players will continue as heretofore in all four provinces."

That should give Connacht chiefs the breathing space to examine the make up of their squad of contracted players, and in the interim, the Connacht Branch has also withdrawn demands for a special IRFU Council meeting on the matter.

That suggests that they have struck a short-term deal, though it is still clear that Connacht will have to present options to the Union for the future of the game in the province.

IRFU president, Connacht's Don Crowley commented last night: "The Strategic Planning process, which we have not had the opportunity of completing, is the most appropriate vehicle for addressing the various issues that face our game and the IRFU looks forward to positive input to this process from all sectors in the game."

The IRFU commenced the strategic planning process in August. Officers will recommend to the Union Committee that on the completion of this process a draft Strategic Plan will be produced and there will be consultation with all the stakeholders of Irish rugby.

Meanwile, the ongoing saga of Welsh rugby took another twist last night, with six of the eight Welsh Premiership clubs agreeing to four regional teams to compete in Europe next season, but Llanelli still demanding stand-alone status.

Stymied by threats of legal action, WRU boss David Moffett backed down on his plans for four Super 12-type franchises, replacing them with a plan involving the eight clubs merging into four regional sides, with each club holding a 50% ownership.

Moffett's proposal involves four partnerships Newport and Ebbw Vale, Cardiff and Pontypridd, Neath and Bridgend and Llanelli and Swansea.