‘Perfect storm’ scenario for clubs

MUNSTER manager Shaun Payne last night described the clubs as the “lifeblood” of the game in the province in the wake of criticism of the provincial set-up by officials at grassroots level.

Several clubs slammed the Munster management for their failure to release key players for their Ulster Bank League engagements on Saturday. Payne claimed he had sympathy for their concerns but stressed player welfare was their chief concern due to a congested fixture list.

Payne said: “It’s in our interests the clubs do well but we have to balance the full picture. Obviously there are requirements from the IRFU on us and there are the requirements of the A team game.