Rugby authorities continue to wrestle with the ever increasing itinerary of international matches and assorted representative fixtures. This is the by-product in many respects, of embracing mammon and Murdoch with such full-hearted enthusiasm. But the bigger the schedule, the greater the demands on players.

Grave concern is being expressed by coaches and some players. The great Australian centre Tim Horan is the latest to add his voice in this respect. We hear talk about burn out and shortened careers. The danger cones have been hoisted, but there seems no evidence that some rugby authorities are aware of the consequences of asking too much of players and indeed, the public. But television companies pay big money and want matches on their screens.

The financing of the game requires additional gate receipts. But there is a saturation point. What about all the empty spaces at Murrayfield last Saturday when the world champions played Scotland?

Meanwhile, the structure of the season on the home front continues to be a contentious issue, not alone in Ireland but among the other home unions. Trying to balance the representative programme with the domestic game is a juggling act not easily achieved.

This season the Interprovincial Championship took place in August, followed by the European Cup and Conference. Trying to widen the scope of provincial involvement and balance it with the AIB League and the imperative needs of the clubs is what is being attempted.

Discussions have very recently taken place between officers of the Ireland, Scotland and Wales Unions about establishing a Celtic Cup competition. The possibility of such a competition was contained in an IRFU document produced over 12 months ago. A provisional format for this competition has now been proposed.

If this competition is to take place, it must be meaningful and the unions are aware of that. A few years ago the series between the Irish provinces and the Scottish Districts served no useful purpose, a fact recognised on both sides. Understrength teams were fielded and there was a lack of interest from the public.

If current plans materialise, Ireland will have four provinces, Scotland four district sides and Wales eight clubs involved. It would be divided into four groups of four teams. This would mean Ireland would have a a representative in each group as would Scotland, while Wales would have two teams in each group. There is enthusiasm in Ireland and Scotland for the competition, while the Welsh are also interested.

The group matches would be played in August and would be the preparation for the European competitions. The semi-finals and finals would be played before Christmas.

If the competition goes ahead, it will mean that the Interprovincial Championship will again be switched back to the traditional dates and take place after the European Cup and Conference group matches. The All-Ireland League would not, as a consequence, start until December. I gather the clubs, have, with some reluctance, agreed to this.

What form the European Cup will take next season is still, of course, a matter of ongoing debate. But there is nothing new in that. One presumes and hopes that it will again be based on similar lines to this season. The Celtic Cup would be very useful preparation for that and would, of course, give all the Irish provincial teams additional matches. But I gather there is little general support for doubling the number of matches by playing the Interprovincial Championship on a home and away basis.

Whatever happens in relation to the Celtic Cup, the early months of next season will be hectic. In addition to the Interprovincial series and the European competitions, South Africa will be on tour here. They will play three matches in Ireland, including an international. Then one must bear in mind that Ireland must play two World Cup qualifying matches in November against opponents as yet not decreed. Both those matches will be home games for Ireland. They take place around the same time that South Africa will be here. The Springboks, however, are likely to have just the one Saturday match - the international - with the other two games being played in midweek.

Last week I stated that the most telling comments on the current state of the game made after Ireland's match against Canada were those made by the Canadian coach Pat Parfrey. I hope that the International Board members took due note of Parfrey's comments.

"The Canadian players are not paid for playing for their country. Not alone that," added Parfrey, "they have to pay their own insurance." Bearing in mind the money made in the World Cup and coming from other sources, that is shameful. Canada is a vast country and has major problems because of that, rather like the United States. Some great work has been done in both countries, but their very size presents huge problems in relation to training and getting the squads together. Neither country attracts big attendances at home matches and revenue is scarce.

One of the arguments we heard about the value of a World Cup was that it would help the emerging countries. We heard too that professionalism would bring about more "level playing fields". You could have fooled me and many others on both counts. We saw what happened in relation to the Super 12 series as it was carved up by New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Goodbye Western Samoa, no place for Tonga or Fiji. They were of course useful feeding grounds for Australia and particularly New Zealand. Some game propagation when the South African Rugby Union president Louis Luyt did his famous 10year television deal with Rupert Murdoch's men.

But back to Pat Parfrey, referring to the growing elitism in world rugby, he expressed a genuine concern. "The professional nations are going to get away from the amateur nations. I am concerned about the future." He has every reason to be concerned. Parfrey "sees a two-tier game developing" - there are those who might make that three tiers.

For most of this century, the only real meaningful international rugby was between the big eight of the Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Seven of those nations controlled the game off the field, as they were the countries who made all the decisions as the members of the International Board. It took France a very long time to get into the `club' by getting a representative on to the Board. Great strides were made in the game in recent years by countries outside the big eight, including Canada. Who can now honestly suggest and realistically see any countries outside the magic circle - and some within it such as Ireland, Wales and Scotland are struggling to keep pace - making the breakthrough to challenge the elite on any kind of consistent basis. Italy could be a possibility if they can get into the International Championship. That is the reality of the situation and it scarcely amounts to a level playing field or game propagation.

One other important strand of the game in these islands which has suffered in recent years is university and student rugby. The contribution the universities made here and elsewhere must never be forgotten. They are not now the powers they once were but they are still vitally important in the development of young players and deserve full-hearted support.

Next week the European Student Championship takes place. Ireland will be represented by Trinity, UCC, UCD and Queen's University. There are four groups in the competition and one takes place next week in Cork. I sincerely hope it gets the support it deserves.