IT is now likely that Ireland will play six internationals next season. In addition to the International Championship matches and the international against Australia in Dublin on November 30th, negotiations are taking place for Ireland to play Western Samoa at Lansdowne Road on November 9th.
That date will be suitable for Ireland because it will not conflict with the visit of the Australians, the European Cup or the Interprovincial Championship.
The proposal for the match has come about because of the collapse of the proposed Pan Pacific tournament in which Western Samoa had been scheduled to compete along with Fiji, Ton a Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan and Argentina. The Pan Pacific tournament had been arranged after Tonga, Western Samoa and Fiji had been frozen out of the Super 12 tournament as New Zealand, Australia and South Africa carved up Murdoch's millions between them for the television rights to the Super 12.
Ireland manager Pat Whelan said yesterday that he would very much welcome the match against Western Samoa. I only heard about the proposal at the weekend and I would be very much in favour of playing the match. It would come at just the right time for us, three weeks before we meet Australia. Furthermore, the more exposure we get prior to the championship the better," he said.
Ireland have played Western Samoa only once. That was in 1988 at Lansdowne Road, when Ireland won 49-22. Ironically, Ireland also played two internationals prior to Christmas that year as they also met and defeated Italy at Lansdowne Road.
Western Samoa did extremely well in the World Cup last year and finished second in Pool B, two points behind England. The Samoans defeated Italy 42-18, scored a great 32-26 win over Argentina in one of the best matches in the tournament and lost to England 44-22 in the group decider.
There is also a possibility that Spain may visit Ireland in September. But the visit, if it takes place, will not include a full international. Spain could play one or two of the provinces and perhaps an Ireland under 25 side. However, arranging such a visit presents more problems than the international against Western Samoa.
One of the problems is that the Ireland management wants to arrange games between an Irish XV and some of the provinces in what is hoped would be a mutually beneficial exercise. The provincial teams will be preparing for the European Cup and Interprovincial series. Some of the provinces are arranging other matches in September as part of their preparations, and this could create further scheduling difficulties.
Meanwhile, further progress was made last Friday night in relation to the terms of the contracts for the Ireland players. The IRFU contracts sub committee met the players representatives on Friday. But some matters remain to be finalised. As soon as this happens the names of the contracted players will be announced.
I gather the Ireland selectors have chosen the players to be offered contracts. The number involved will be about 34. It is unlikely that the issue will be finalised this week, as the Ireland management will not want distractions as the team prepares for the match against the Barbarians in the Peace International on Saturday.
. Spectators will watch games from behind fencing at Newlands Stadium, the Western Province Rugby Union has decided, after fans attacked the referee during a Super 12 in Cape Town last Friday.
Unruly crowds invaded the field at the end of Western Province's encounter with Northern Transvaal and several home side fans assaulted Namibian referee Johan Meuwesen.
