WITH the Insurance Corporation All-Ireland League set to resume on Saturday after the long break since last October, it does so against a background of hectic activity here and elsewhere in relation to European competition next season.

That has reached such a point that Dr Syd Millar, the president of the IRFU, said yesterday, "What is happening in relation to European competition at the moment represents the greatest danger to the game since the establishment of the Rugby League 100 years ago."

The IRFU is calling a meeting of all senior clubs and that is likely to take place next Sunday week. The Five Nations committee is also due to meet next week and there is no doubt that it is confrontation time, especially as far as England and Wales are concerned in relation to what they are going to do about some of their clubs' activities. Decisions that will be taken soon will determine the future of the game and who will run it. That is certainly the view of the IRFU.

"There is a concerted and deliberate attempt by Sky television to take over the game in these islands," said Millar, "and those clubs aiding and abetting them should think carefully about their position and the consequences. What is proposed may seem good for the few; it is certainly not for the good or for the betterment of all, indeed for the vast majority.

"This is a deliberate attempt by Sky television to split the game, to split clubs away from their unions with the lure of money. The ultimate goal is to get the Five Nations Championship. A few big clubs may get a bit of money from it. Is that what the vast majority want? Let no one underestimate the threat and the challenge now facing rugby.

"If you look at the position and appreciate what is happening, what other construction can be put on it," Millar continued. "It is not in the interests of any rugby union to do anything that would be detrimental to their affiliated dubs and provinces. This is about money for the few.

"Implicit in the proposals for the European competitions financed by Sky is a contempt for those whose responsibility it is to run the game in these islands. The negotiations for European competition other than the official European Cup, run with such success this season, have taken place with people who have no mandate but their own agendas. What other interpretation can be put on activity such as that but a deliberate attempt to split the game?

"I must ask, in whose interest can that be? I think the answer is self-evident. No rugby administration can stand by and allow that," he concluded.

The negotiations with Sky have taken place with the recently formed European Clubs Association, of which Peter Wheeler, the chief executive of the Leicester club, is chairman. Their proposals are for a two-tier European structure, 20 teams in the first division and 32 in the second.

The official European Cup, run by ERC, is due to have 20 teams next season, including three Irish provinces. England and Scotland did not compete in that this season, but are due to have four and three representatives respectively next season.

But that is now in grave danger, and the Welsh first division clubs have informed the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) that they are not prepared to enter the European Cup under the present circumstances. They want the two-tier structure. They are due to have a meeting with the WRU on Saturday.

I gather the English first division clubs will meet the English Union (RFU) tomorrow on the European situation. While it was agreed some weeks ago that Scotland would enter regional sides in the European Cup, it now seems that the Scottish clubs want to enter European competition even if in the second division.

There has been considerable activity in Ireland too. Last Wednesday most of the first division clubs (Ballymena and Instonians were not represented) met in Portlaoise to consider where they stand in relation to the current situation and developments in Britain and indeed France.

Much talk has gone on and rumour is rife about Irish clubs going into the proposed European competitions. I think it should be made implicitly clear - in fairness to such as Garryowen chairman Frank Hogan, who has been very active on the European issue and attended meetings in Britain including one last Friday in Cardiff - that no Irish club has any intention of entering any competition without the full approval of the IRFU.

Hogan is adamant, too, that he has kept everyone informed to the best of his ability on all developments. He feels, too, very upset that his motives are being misinterpreted. He is also adamant that the IRFU, through Ken Reid, last season's IRFU president and tournament director of the European Cup, has been kept fully briefed both in writing and on the telephone of details of any meetings he has attended.

I gather that Vernon Pugh, chairman of the WRU and of the International Board, will meet representatives from Sky television this week. It should be an interesting meeting. Some of the figures being published about what clubs will receive from Sky are, quite honestly, hard to accept. For instance, reports that each participating club will receive £600,000 annually would mean that even if only 20 clubs got that sum each it would cost £12 million.

Meanwhile, because of the bank holiday most clubs have deferred selection of their sides for the league matches on Saturday, including first division leaders Garryowen and Cork Constitution, who meet in match of the day on Saturday at Temple Hill.

An interesting selection on the Ballymena side to meet Shannon is that of Ireland Under-21 and A wing James Topping at full back.