RUGBY: GAVIN CUMMISKEYon how television priorities in Wales helped ensure the province's unfair fixture schedule

A VIGOROUS objection by the Connacht Branch to being forced to play a Thursday fixture in Wales just five days after an interprovincial derby, for the second time this season, was rejected due to television scheduling and because Celtic Rugby Ltd said so.

Connacht must face the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Thursday just five days after Eric Elwood’s injury-ravaged, under-staffed and under-funded team were defeated 30-8 by Leinster in Dublin.

Connacht were forced to rest half a dozen players during training yesterday

“We have had to rest guys this week, there is a lot of them broken up after the weekend; they are just battered,” said Elwood.

A similar situation was forced upon the western province on Thursday, September 30th, when they lost 22-6 away to the Cardiff Blues. Their preparation for that fixture, coming just five days after a 16-all draw with Ulster in Galway, was further disrupted by the unavailability of accommodation in Cardiff city as the match took place on the eve of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly told The Irish Times yesterday that Welsh television dictated the decision to play a Thursday game.

However, the decision to make Connacht suffer the consequences for the second time this season, and not another Welsh, Scottish or Irish side, was put to the Celtic Rugby Ltd board via three separate channels, but to no avail.

“The fixtures are done by Celtic Rugby Ltd and obviously the TV stations decide which matches they want to cover,” Kelly said. “S4C wanted to have a look at a Thursday fixture to see how it would go and the Dragons wanted to try a Thursday home fixture so we drew the short straw.”

When did this occur? “It was known since the latest round of fixtures was announced. This is done in three tranches.”

Leinster, Munster and Ulster all have home fixtures this weekend against the Ospreys, Glasgow and Treviso respectively as they prepare for round five of the Heineken Cup a week later.

How come the previous Thursday fixture, in Cardiff on the eve of the Ryder Cup, did not ensure Connacht could avoid a similar fate for the second time in the same campaign?

“We made all those points directly to (Celtic Rugby director) David Jordan and (Six Nations/ Lions chief executive) John Feehan and via (Celtic Rugby) board members (and IRFU chief executive) Philip Browne and Phil Orr, and we were told that is the way the cookie crumbles,” Kelly said.

Feehan was contacted as Celtic Rugby is now aligned with the Six Nations to ensure a more professional staff is at the disposal of the league.

“We have made our protest,” Kelly continued. “These things happen. I was assured it was a coincidence that it was Connacht that was caught up in something like this again. I really don’t read anything sinister into it. Obviously Eric (Elwood) is upset.”

Elwood expressed his disgust with the treatment of Connacht in the wake of Saturday’s defeat to Leinster at the RDS Showgrounds: “Our third game in 11 days,” he said. . . I’m getting a bit fed up at this stage trying to make excuses, but three games in 11 days for the weakest squad in the league with the smallest resources.

“Why don’t they have a derby game if they want a live game in Wales? Why do they have to drag us across all the time after two derby matches? In fairness, I have spoken to the union and they’ve been over and back and spoken to Magners . . .”

Kelly was also hopeful that a number of Irish-born players from other provinces and some overseas recruits should be confirmed as new signings in the next fortnight. Connacht are seeking to replace Ireland hooker Seán Cronin, outhalf/centre Ian Keatley and winger Fionn Carr, who have all indicated their desire to play Heineken Cup with either Leinster or Munster next season.