MISTRUST, discontentment and disenchantment are the current order in rugby football, although order is a misnomer. Never has there been so much disorder.

While happenings in other parts of the rugby world inevitably have their knock on effects - here, Ireland has specific problems at the domestic level. Primarily, these are the exodus of players, the rearranged league schedules and the financial pressures on clubs.

Economic necessity is a powerful motivating force. We have seen examples of that both in the positive and, across the water in particular, the negative senses. But like it or not - and many do not like it - we are caught in the web and must act if we are to continue to compete at the top level.

The journey to professionalism was never going to be easy. One has been left wondering if the actual game is about 30 men in opposition on the field or a power battle between the captains of industry, who do not give a damn about the tradition or ethics of the game and yet act as if they own it. They must be curbed. The value of television time shoots up, money pours into the game and we get an orgy of base commercialism.

But the time for tremulous attitudes and talk has gone, reality must be the keynote and that brings me to the meeting this afternoon between officers of the IRFU and the representatives from the first division clubs. It is an important meeting and must into not evolve into a confrontation. Reality must be the keynote of that meeting.

The clubs have problems and there are indications that there is a firm recognition of that by the union. The unrest and understandable anxiety among Irish clubs has found expression in current activities. A worthy debate and must be followed by concerted action.

The IRFU committee had a five hour meeting last Friday and in the course of that meeting came to certain conclusions. These have not been announced, nor should they be until conveyed to the clubs. There are critical issues to be resolved in the very best interests of all the strands of Irish rugby.

The meeting today must not, and will not, be a one off meeting. There must be ongoing dialogue. Nor is anything going to be solved by intransigence on any side. The IRFU president Bobby Deacy also intends to meet representatives of all the senior clubs in the country over the coming weeks.

With regard to the meeting this afternoon with the first division clubs the IRFU president said: "I recognise, as does the union, that it will be necessary for ongoing discussions and we will meet the clubs as often as is deemed necessary in our mutual interest."

The clubs will greet that promise with enthusiasm. The meeting today will be with the officers of the IRFU and I have no doubt the discussions will be frank and, I hope, fruitful. The clubs will spell out their concerns, and high on the agenda will, I believe, be the number of clubs in the first division, the starting time in the season of the Insurance Corporation AllIreland League, financial support for clubs, and European competition.

The issue of European competition is a difficult one. The options here are the ongoing entries of provinces, and the clubs will oppose that. There is the possibility of the formation of composite club sides or district sides such as Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Belfast and rural Ulster. The Connacht clubs want to be represented by the provincial side and want the status quo to obtain in relation to the AIL.

There will be good news for the clubs in that the union intends to give an increased subsidy to all the clubs in the AIL for travelling and hotel expenses this season. That is a good starting point.

There must be a revision of the structure of the season and that means starting the AIL earlier than in this season, when it will begin in December. The number of clubs in each division will be another very important element.

While there is awareness of the acute financial problems faced by the clubs, there is also the fact that some clubs put themselves into debt over recent years by bringing in players and coaches from overseas add in doing so stretched their financial resources beyond the limits of solvency.

Even before the game went open Ireland was looked on as a lucrative haven by overseas players and some coaches. It is a charge that was laid at the door of the IRFU by southern hemisphere officials a few years ago and there was substance in the allegation. Most clubs were not guilty - but some were.

Nor can it be forgotten that some clubs bitterly opposed the concept of a national league. But the current problems will not be solved by raking over old coals or by accusation and counter accusation. The dissatisfaction at the current structure is well founded, but the clubs must accept their share of responsibility.

I fully support the concept of an eight club top division with games played on a home and away basis. This would mean six clubs going out of the top grade at the end of this season's league. There could be a first division tier of eight clubs, which would become a premier division, with the six relegated this season forming a new first division with the two clubs that finish first and second in the current second division. There could also be a two section third division.

As the league has not started yet this season, no club would be disadvantaged. It would not be a question of changing the laws halfway through the competition.

I would also offer a considerable financial incentive in the league. Next season the IRFU will be in receipt of a much increased income from television rights. I believe that half a million pounds should be set aside as prizemoney for the AIL. There could be £210,000 prizemoney for the premier division, £110,000 for the first division, £80,000 for the second and £50,000 for each of the two tiers of the third division.

The money would obviously be apportioned according to the finishing positions. That offers every club a considerable cash incentive and reward for achievement on the field.

It would be money well spent by the IRFU.