THERE has been no shortage of subjects for debate in Irish rugby over the last week or so. The fallout from that dreadful performance by Ireland in Paris has primarily centred on Peter Clohessy's suspension. That has got the space and the attention.

There are other issues from Paris that have been submerged by the torrent of words that have poured out on the Clohessy issue from the knowledgeable, the interested and, those who believe that the world waits on, their pronouncements on every subject known to man.

Quite apart from the composition of the Ireland team to play Wales and the very discernible change in the pattern of selection and with it, a likely change in tactics that two successive defeats have induced, there are other matters of great importance that the Irish players need to consider.

The question of professionalism and all it embraces is now very much on the public mind. The two displays given by Ireland have been just about the worst possible advertisement for it. The fact that a man plays without pay one day does not mean that money will make him a better player the next time he goes on the field.

The Irish players wanted to be paid and that is fair enough in the prevailing climate of the game. However, players must realise that with payment comes harsher criticism. The Ireland players who face Wales next Saturday need to deliver if not victory, then at least a performance that embraces some semblance of quality and an indication of tactical awareness.

I have stood on the sidelines at the back pitch at Lansdowne Road, watching Ireland training sessions hundreds of times for the better part of the last 30 years. It is part of the job for some of us. It is the tedious part of the business of a rugby reporter. Yet, there is often news of consequence to report from those sessions, while there are things you can learn from watching them and not just about injuries.

One of the benefits that are supposed to be derived from those sessions is that players get the opportunity to practise the type of game they are supposed to play. I have been a bit puzzled recently in relation to some aspects of that philosophy.

But then I am equally concerned by a quote from the Ireland coach, Murray Kidd, after the match in Paris when he said "Ireland came within a touch or two of being competitive". I can remember many a poor Irish side that lacked the quality to win matches, but the one thing they were was competitive. Why are they not competitive? Is it because they are trying to play a game outside the range of their talents?

I have thought quite a lot about Kidd's comment and I have tried to relate it to Ireland's performances in recent times. Maybe, inadvertently, the coach has given a clue to part of Ireland's problems. Are players to react in a certain way because they have been told that it is technically correct. The team must play a game that is directly related to its ability. There were times in the matches against Scotland and France that one almost expected Irish players to shout to the stand and say "what do I do next"?

SOME of the most effective and traditional characteristics in the Irish game are, I believe, being lost and the Irish team is the poorer for it. There has also been a lack of leadership on the field. There also seems to be a lack of character in the current Ireland side.

The international rugby arena is a hard and demanding school and, in fairness to the coach and his helpers, they did not inherit a pool of players that one could reasonably expect them to mould into a championship winning team overnight. The considerable number of changes in the side are also a factor, but the necessity for them is also an indictment of players and, at least to a degree, on the game the Irish side is trying to play.

The management team must be given a fair chance and reasonable time to make their methods work and for the team to respond. But they must also take note of the evidence. If a change of course and approach is needed, and I believe that to be an urgent need, then let us have it. We must have a game plan that is within the compass of the team.

Kidd and manager Pat Whelan did stress prior to the championship that we would have a greater appreciation of where we stood after we played Scotland. Well, we have a greater appreciation still of where we stand now we are in danger of taking the wooden spoon. The players wearing the Ireland jersey next Saturday have the chance to redeem themselves and the season against Wales. Let us hove they take it.

For a long time, we have heard about preparation and that provision was not being made by the IRFU for proper preparation. These excuses don't stand up this time. The Ireland squad has been together for the last four weekends. No one can complain that players arrived for Sunday sessions exhausted after playing hard league matches the day before. The squad was sent to the United States. No inhibitions have been imposed by the IRFU, who granted all requests. The players are getting £3,000 per match, in addition to their basic squad fees, and there is the additional incentive of, a win bonus of £1,000.

No Ireland squad in the history of the game has been given greater opportunity or greater incentive. It is not asking too much from them that they deliver on Saturday in the form, at minimum, of a performance that does credit to the Ireland jersey. Affinity and fraternity have always been invaluable assets to Irish rugby teams. There were times, when we may have lacked organisation, but not passion. The coach has stated that he believed professionalism would be very good for Irish rugby I could not agree less. I believe it very bad for Irish rugby, and for rugby in these islands, and I have laid out the reasons often enough.

Professionalism will change the game radically and professionalism, by its very nature, has self preservation and a level of selfishness at its heart. As more and more Irish players go to England in pursuit of the shilling, they will become further removed from the game in this country. Professionalism also imposes responsibilities. As yet, they have not been discharged.

That was a worry I and many others had in relation to the `open' game. It was not based on an ultra conservative attitude, but fostered by an involvement in the game, and its basic elements and ethics, for the best Dart of my life.

Kidd is a well organised and extremely hardworking and well intentioned man. But he must instil in his players and incorporate in his game plan provision for what Irish teams traditionally do best. That is more important than trying to correct what he may perceive as basic technical flaws in some of his players.

I would say to Kidd, Whelan and the new Ireland captain, Niall Hogan, that in their team talks to the Irish players next weekend, they must tell them that Irish rugby supporters and there are none more loyal want to see a performance next Saturday that embraces the traditional Irish characteristics of pride, fire and passion. Without them we have no chance.