Munster's great win over Saracens in the European Cup last Sunday gave Irish rugby yet another lift at a time when every little helps. Coming on the back of the province's win over Pontypridd, it also leaves Munster on top of their pool.

Ulster's defeat by Wasps is a major setback for their hopes of coming out of their group in the European Cup. And while Leinster's defeat in Glasgow was very disappointing, they are in a group with Glasgow, Leicester and Stade Francais, all of whom have also lost a match, so it is two points each for the four contestants. Leinster still have every incentive to mount a challenge. In the Shield, Connacht's loss to Steaua Bucharest leaves the side in trouble in their pool headed by Ebbw Vale who have full points. It is back to domestic fare this weekend, of course, with the attention focused on the start of the first division of the AIB All-Ireland League.

It is, of course, a league with a considerable difference this time. The structure has undergone radical alteration in preparation for further changes due to take place next season.

Whatever criticism may be levelled in relation to aspects of the league, the efforts and amendments have been ongoing since its inception at the start of the decade to get the best structure in place. For instance, the first division has been changed six times from the numerical strength of the division to the inauguration of the top four play-offs two years ago.

This will be the last season when the first division will comprise 12 clubs. Next season the division will be made up of 16 teams, split into two sections of eight with each club playing the other home and away in their respective sections. That is something that has been advocated by many and has considerable merit. The new structure next season will also give every club more matches and more money from gate receipts. Then we will have the knockout stages and that will be much fairer than the current knockout system, which has operated for the last two seasons and will again this season with the top four in the play-offs for the title. Last season Garryowen finished on top of the league table but did not win the title as the club lost to Cork Constitution in the final. All the clubs who finished on top of the other divisions did not have to play off for the title.

IT is possible, too, that there will not be any club relegated from the first division. At most there can only be one club relegated. Four clubs will be promoted from the second division to bring the strength of the top division up to 16. We might even see five promoted.

The club that finishes last in the first division will play the fifth club in the secon d division to determine the final composition of the premier grade. That certainly offers plenty of incentive for the 15 clubs in the second division.

That division will be increased to 16 clubs next season and to facilitate that the top five clubs in the 11-club division three will be promoted. As is the case with the first division, only one club may be relegated and maybe none. The team that finishes at the bottom of the second division will get a chance of salvation by playing off with the club that finishes sixth in the third division. The winner will play in division two.

The third division clubs will not have to worry about relegation at the end of the season. The top nine of the 11 clubs in division four will move up to division three and the club which finishes 11th will be relegated. The club that finishes 10th will play the winner of the round robin from the branch qualifying leagues. There will not be a fourth division next season.

There is also, of course, another major change this season in relation to match points and the bonus points system is also in play. There will be four points for a win and two for a draw. There will be a bonus point for sides scoring four tries and a bonus point for the clubs who lose by seven points or fewer.

I FULLY appreciate the merit of giving a bonus point for tries, but not for a side that loses by seven or fewer points. For instance, a team could score four tries, the opposition does not score any but still finishes within seven points and gets exactly the same bonus point.

Certainly matches can be won on penalty goals but equating bonus points on tries scored and a losing margin of seven points does not add up to me.

Will the first division title make its way south yet again? The challenge will certainly be potent from Munster. They have four clubs in the top division, all four have won the title - indeed all four have shared it between them since the inauguration of the league.

They are the defending champions Cork Constitution, twice winners, Shannon, who did that remarkable four in a row, Garryowen, twice winners and beaten finalists for the last two years and Young Munster, winners in 1993.

They add up to a very formidable quartet. DLSP will be savouring first division rugby for the first time, a very fitting way to mark the centenary year of the foundation of the Palmerston club. Dungannon return to the first division fold to increase Ulster's representation to two.

Shannon, who provide so many players to the Munster team, will be favoured by many to regain the title. With so many of their players away on interprovincial duty in recent times, Shannon decided to go to Tralee earlier in the week for a few days for what one might call a bonding session. That is a declaration of their intent.

They open with a match against Lansdowne at Lansdowne Road tomorrow and that represents a very attractive proposition. Likewise the visit of the champions Cork Constitution to play Buccaneers. This is a match that should provide the champions with a stern test against the side they beat in the semi-final in Cork last season. Let us hope it is a league campaign to remember - for all the right reasons.