PAT WHELAN, the Ireland manager, is the amateur in the midst of what is now a professional set up. That does not in any way lessen the burden he carries, or the responsibility.

Whelan readily acknowledges that it has been a year with some difficulties, yet if he looks back with some regret he looks forward with some optimism.

"It was a very difficult year for the game and for Ireland," he says. "Professionalism was always going to present very specific problems for us, and it did. The loss of so many players to English clubs was especially disappointing for us, and had its effect at provincial and club levels. We must recognise just how imperative it is that we keep our players at home and get as many as possible back to Ireland.

"In every possible respect, especially in terms of the strength of the provinces, the domestic club scene and in relation to our preparation at international level, if we do not have control over our players it is disruptive, as we have already seen this season. The loss of so many players was a major disappointment. We should not have to undergo the kind of problems that occurred this year.

"We had our disappointments, yet I think we made some progress. There is certainly a greater awareness now among the players that professionalism brings with it responsibilities. There is a much greater application now to fitness and the belief that fitness is a prime requirement."

Whelan is no doubt that the year has proved conclusively that all four home countries are trailing the big powers in the southern hemisphere. "Even the most recent results have left little room for doubt on that issue. I believe that New Zealand now lead the way. Their record both at international and provincial levels has been very impressive. That is the gap that must be bridged. Our performance against Western Samoa was dreadful, the most disappointing aspect of the year on the field. The performance against Australia was infinitely better. That was encouraging."

He also fees heartened by the performances given by the under-21 and schools teams. "What the schools achieved was superb, and the under-21 side also did very well. That indicates that the talent is here. The performances of the schools and under-21 teams were the real plus points for Irish rugby in 1996. But if we are to compete with a hope of success internationally we must do everything to bring these players through and give them every possible help and encouragement."

On the All-Ireland League, he says: "The AIL is still very competitive and of fundamental importance to the game in Ireland, but I would like to see playing standards rise. Here again, getting our players back from England is a key factor in that.

"But," he adds, "we must look forward. While we can learn from the past, basically, I prefer to look forward. I will make no forecast about the coming championship, but I am quite optimistic that we can do well in it. Unless you have an awareness about what requires to be done, then it is very unlikely you will do what is necessary. There is an awareness that a lot requires to be done if we are to compete with hope of success. That, I think, is the real lesson of the last year."