THE first International Championship contested by players who are full time professionals has come to an end for Ireland. From an Irish perspective the results were scarcely compatible with the alleged benefits that we were told were bound to accrue once we took the professional road.

I never for one moment believed that it would be the passport to glory. But there are elements that require minute examination and some facts that need to be stated. If we were to accept at face value some of the comments that emanated from some players, and I emphasise some, Ireland's problems lay at administrative level.

We were, for instance, told by one international player that Syd Millar and Tom Kiernan, Ireland's two representatives on the International Board, were the products of a bygone era who did not understand the requirements of this new and alleged enlightened era.

That has to rank as one of the most absurd statements among many in that category. Too well Millar and Kiernan understood and understand all that professionalism embraced. They understand every element of it far better than any player and it is high time that this was realised throughout the game in this country.

Players putting the pay cheque in the bank is the easiest aspect of this professional era. Professionalism brings with it specific responsibilities and a challenge not alone for players but for the administrators who have to provide the means by which the money can be raised.

The reality is that the administrators have met the challenge with infinitely more success than the players. We have heard all the talk about our players being forced to compete in circumstances that put them at a grave disadvantage against full time professionals, about time and facilities for preparation, about level playing fields.

Those arguments do not hold up any more. Numerically Ireland cannot match some of the major rugby playing nations, but that was always the case. Mick Doyle when he took over the task of coaching the national team put that in its right perspective when he said. "If you were to use that as an excuse then you have no business competing. You get on with getting the best out of what you have and you can use your smallness to year advantage because it helps to cement the spirit. In many respects he proved his point where it mattered on the field as did others who had the task of coaching the national team.

The current Ireland squad has been given every possible incentive, financial and otherwise. They have top fitness advisers, expert advice on diet, have been sent on winter heat training, been brought together on the Monday before each international and been able to train at the excellent University of Limerick complex a matter of no more than a few hundred yards from their hotel base. They are even paid for travelling from England for attending training sessions.

The IRFU has now got a man rated among the very best in the game as coach in Brian Ashton. He has had only a few weeks to work with the squad, I have no doubt he will make his mark and a major contribution. He will, too, sort out the squad as it needs to be sorted out.

He wants and will get only players who want to play for Ireland and give everything in the cause of the green jersey. Yes, we are in a professional era and payment to players is an integral part of that. But the only motivation that matters must come from the heart. Without that we will go nowhere. That is true of all sports.

Too often this season the Ireland team has capitulated far too easily. Last Saturday was a sad instance. It seems to me that some Ireland players do not feel hurt enough after indifferent and unacceptable performances. I am sick and tired hearing about how "gutted" some allegedly are after matches.

That seems to be getting to a permanent state of mind as they pocket the cheque from the assessments they give to their unfortunate ghost writers, who must try to put their thoughts into some kind of coherent context.

All aspects of life are conditioned by an attitude and that applies to the Ireland squad as surely as it applies to any of us. Rugby is now their living and that imposes its responsibilities. The capitulation last Saturday was frankly an indictment on the Ireland team. I make due allowances for the unavailability of three or four players and that did not help. But we are in an era when we have a national squad of over 30 players all being paid, all training under the same system.

The contrast between the performance of the Ireland under 21 team last Friday and that of the senior side on Saturday could not have been sharper. Here you had youngsters playing not alone with tremendous spirit, pride and commitment, but in doing so played superb rugby in winning their match.

Brian Ashton was disgusted last Saturday and he had every right be. He has a tough job ahead but he does have a base of some fine young players.

He did not indulge in any excuses, and, I am quite sure, now that he has been given the authority, he will put it to effective use. His is the voice that must prevail in selection. He did not seek nor did he want the administrative responsibilities in relation to the team. His responsibilities are on the field. The manager, Pat Whelan, has the administrative responsibilities for the team and he reports to the IRFU. I welcome the three man set up and have long advocated it.

It putting it in place, the IRFU election subcommittee followed the course they believed will best suit Irish rugby and did not seek to devalue the role of the coach. That is why they have given Ashton a six year contract. That is why Ashton accepted the contract In terms of selection, the manager and the third person who will be appointed must act as support for the coach.

The appointment of the third man is now of vital importance. The election subcommittee will meet at the weekend to discuss that. They will then meet with Whelan and Ashton before making the appointment. Provincial consider at ions must not be a factor in the appointment. The best man, irrespective of where he comes from, must be appointed and his supportive role clearly defined.

I would like to make the point, too, that the job Millar and Kiernan did on the television contract for the Five Nations Championship reflects the utmost credit on them. They have rendered Irish rugby and the game in general a, great service and it should be recognised. Kiernan has also done a superb job for Ireland in relation to the European Cup, and, against some, opposition, has kept Ireland's representation intact.

If Ireland had been equally well served on the field as they have been off of it, we would not be at the bottom of the championship table or be getting hammered by the like of Italy and Western Samoa.