Money is alleged to be the root of all evil. It certainly has caused morality and principle to take a severe knocking in rugby. We had another telling demonstration of that this week with the action of the English first division clubs in relation to the European competitions.
When the money is beginning to run out because of imprudent management, then focus the blame elsewhere, even if it means wrecking good competitions. It was the future of the Five Nations series on the brink last season because of what the English Union attempted, now there is another declaration of intent and threat.
The structure of the domestic and representative season here and elsewhere, and the placement on the calendar of the European Cup and Conference matches are just some of the subjects that have got an airing in recent times. It seems to depend on the perspective from which some of the judgements are being made as to where the greatest problems lie, in Ireland and elsewhere.
There is no doubt at all that those subjects are worthy of debate. But in examining the issues, it is important that a proper sense of proportion is maintained and that basic facts are not overlooked. One is reminded of the old adage that doctors differ and patients die.
Some things need to be put in to perspective. Ireland is not New Zealand and England has the biggest base of any country in the world, over a quarter of a million players. Ireland has four provinces, not well over 20 as in New Zealand and nearly 20 as in South Africa. We have a playing base of 15,000, the province of Auckland alone has more players than that.
But we must compete and attempt to make the best use and give the best possible preparation to the players we have. In seeking to do that, one cannot overlook the basic premise on which the game in this country is based. Change for the sake of change is never an answer. The search for the best possible structures, domestically and otherwise, is, I believe, continuing. From an Irish perspective, some widening of the involvement of the provincial teams may have its merits. It must, however, be related to the clubs' needs. Getting meaningful matches for the provinces outside the current programme, however, and the possibility of a Celtic Cup, presents considerable problems. I would very much like to know who the provinces are going to play throughout the season. We already have a crowded representative rugby calendar. We got a graphic illustration of that in the pre-Christmas period.
And what about the television factor? The deal done by the big powers in the southern hemisphere and that done by the English Union with Rupert Murdoch are specific in detailing the number of internationals that must be played to comply with the terms of the deals. Witness the current wrangles in relation to England's summer tour to New Zealand. England must also play internationals against Australia and South Africa during the summer. The English clubs now talking about generating more revenue were part of the deal done with Murdoch. Now in order to get more coverage, they have to pay to get their games on terrestrial television. Back to the domestic scene. You cannot deprive clubs of their best players in the AIB League by having them play only at provincial level. Devaluing your primary domestic competition by eroding the clubs' strengths would have a devastating effect on the game. That most certainly is not the answer. Nor does it apply in any of the European countries. It is about getting the best balance between club and representative rugby.
The transition to professionalism was always going to be a difficult road, it offers me no consolation whatsoever to state that it was all predictable. Is it not extraordinary that only a few weeks ago, England coach Clive Woodward was talking about how crucial the European competitions are to England. He was even suggesting that England field composite teams in the European Cup. Now the first division clubs want to wreck the European Cup and Conference. Since these competitions began, we have had nothing but threats from some of the English clubs. When England was not represented in the inaugural European Cup, the clubs blamed the English Union. From the moment they entered the competitions, as they have wanted everything done to suit them.
These clubs have gone around the world recruiting players and paying inflated salaries. The inevitable cash problems have followed and that, too, was predictable. Club grounds are being sold and the problems mount. Salvation is being sought by hitting out at everything and everyone and to hell with the consequences. How anyone can offer any moral justification for what is happening in England at the moment is beyond my understanding.
They are now talking about extending the number of clubs in the first division, a very convenient act of self-preservation. Well, if that is the case, it means 26 first-division matches each season, add cup ties and their proposed Anglo-French competition and you are looking at around 40 matches. Add in representative matches for some, and you will have players playing well in excess of 40 matches a season. Is the game now only about generating revenue with no care for the health and welfare of the players?
Then we have people who want and encourage our players to go to English clubs because they will, allegedly, be better players for it. At the same time, some want our clubs to be stripped of their best players by having them play only for their provinces. Now let us ask ourselves how many of the Irish players who went to English clubs are better players because of it? Results and performances provide the answer. The English clubs talk of setting up the Anglo-French competition because they are unhappy with European competition and its place on the calendar. Yet only one English club - Newcastle - managed to make the semi-finals of the Conference this season. Will most of the clubs draw big gates for an Anglo-French competition? I doubt it.
The statement issued on Wednesday stated how important the European Cup competition is, yet they propose to wreck it to put in its place a competition that, by its very nature, cannot be as good. We have, of course, had these threats before and we had the famous Anglo-Welsh Cup, which was a disaster.
It will be interesting to see French reaction, especially bearing in mind how influential the French were in putting a ceiling on the number of matches played in the European competitions. We will watch developments with interest. Meanwhile, rugby in the professional era staggers from crisis to crisis, riddled with mistrust and controversy. Yes, there was once a game called rugby union and for all its faults, it had within it inherent ethics. That no longer exists.
