Review of leagues promised

News round-up: The IRFU have moved to stem proposals by the All-Ireland Senior Rugby Clubs Association (AISRCA) for a restructuring of the AIB League, including a 10-club first division.

A lengthy letter from the IRFU president Peter Boyle to all 48 senior clubs attempts to row back the AISRCA initiative by reminding the clubs there is a commitment to review the league "during . . . this season."

The AISRCA executive, which represents all three divisions, have proposed the 48 clubs debate their proposal and vote at their AGM in early October, prior to the start of the AIB League.

This could conceivably mean a new structure, with 10 clubs in division one, playing home and way, and 19 in divisions two and three, coming into place in time for the 2007-2008 season.

But the IRFU's director of rugby, Eddie Wigglesworth, says "three or four weeks is not sufficient time to discuss the many complex issues involved" and a rushed decision might leave the Union open to legal objections.

The Union's primary concern appears to be the flow of contracted players. AISRCA would like to see them concentrated solely in division one, thereby levelling the playing field through the three divisions.

Understandably too, the Union want some provincial ringfencing and meritocracy enshrined in the top division. A first division comprising, say, no clubs from one or two provinces would not act as a proper feeder to the provinces.

The AISRCA chairman, John Dickson, says once agreement is reached on the basic structuring of the league, "the nuts and bolts can be agreed upon" later.

There is, however, a strong suspicion noses are out of joint, especially among the branches. Wigglesworth stressed an agreement was already in place within the AIB League Working Party to conduct the league review. This involves the IRFU, the four branches and the clubs, "and as we have a federal structure, the branches are effectively the governance of the (club) game".

This will generate alarm in the clubs, given suspicions that the branches are out of tune with the clubs' needs. Dickson points out the Ulster Branch, in response to the AISRCA initiative, have "acted very responsibly in sending out a very detailed questionnaire to all their clubs", designed to ensure the kind of consensus the association seek.

The Munster Branch have also sent out a questionnaire but the Leinster Branch have merely sent letters stating, "There is to be a review of the AIB League" and inviting clubs to give their views in writing by September 22nd.

As Dickson says, this raises the spectre of branches "working independently . . . which would set the whole process back".

Interestingly, on assuming the IRFU presidency in June, Boyle was reported as saying, "The clubs can either feel sorry for themselves or . . . get up and do something for themselves."

So AISRCA might reasonably point out that their restructuring proposals are merely following his advice. And if nothing else, they have surely prompted the most intense debate about the club game in years.

Australia captain George Gregan says he may miss the end-of-season tour to Europe. Coach John Connolly has spoken to Gregan about keeping himself fresh for next year's World Cup.

Gregan, who returned home on Monday after Australia lost their final Tri-Nations match of the season, to South Africa in Johannesburg, told reporters he was still undecided: "There are some big pluses of not going."

England's preparations for the November Tests have been hit with the news outhalf Jonny Wilkinson will be out for four to eight weeks. Wilkinson injured a ligament in his right knee during Newcastle Falcons' 20-19 win over Worcester on Friday.

"The scans have confirmed what we initially thought . . . we're probably looking at Jonny being out for somewhere between four and eight weeks," director of rugby John Fletcher said.