Southam may come back

Ray Southam yesterday confirmed his resignation as the IRFU's director of rugby development, as and from the end of his current contract in August whereupon he will return home to Christchurch. With regard to a successor, the union will probably advertise the vacant position at some point in the interim.

Southam, who took up his influential position in November 1994, re-iterated his view given earlier in the day through an official statement when saying: "The time is opportune. The longer I stay, the harder I'd find it to leave. There is no hidden agenda and there remains a lot of goodwill on both sides."

Southam indicated that he would like to return to Ireland in a coaching capacity, with "more of a hands-on role."

As regards the Irish club scene, the fall-out from the Wanderers IRFU compromise continues on a daily basis. Indeed, far from keeping everybody happy, the decision to accommodate Wanderers, Malone and Ballynahinch in an expanded second division of 16 clubs appears to have generated more discontent.

Not only are second division clubs intent on ensuring "something will happen" at their regular bi-monthly meeting tonight, but third-division Collegians, who were relegated to the fourth division via a two-legged play-off with Richmond, will lodge an official protest to the IRFU. The Ulster club will then consult with other clubs who are intent on taking this matter further, some of whom are consulting their legal advisers.

"Collegians participated in the divisional play-offs in good faith," stated the club's treasurer Gerry Gilmartin yesterday, adding: "on the basis that such games were a valid and integral part of the league format. Had Collegians known that the IRFU were to turn the rules of the league on their head, then we would have applied to the IRFU to have our second play-off game postponed.

"The IRFU decision now means that Division Three sees five teams leaving and only four joining. This, along with a congested Division Two, means that the 1998/99 league programme will be a shambles. We support all teams involved in the play-off programme," he added.

Collegians raised the matter at last night's Ulster Branch meeting prior to lodging an official protest to the IRFU. "Depending on the response from the IRFU we may consult with other clubs that participated in the play-offs, in good faith, on what further action should be taken," concluded Gilmartin.