It seems to be clear. It appears to make perfect sense. But Munster are insisting that the IRFU dot their i's and cross their t's regarding what they mean by nominations for next year's Heineken European Cup.
The understanding is that Munster, Leinster and Ulster will automatically play in next year's European Cup regardless of what position they finish up in this season's Celtic League.
While Munster accept the IRFU's decision to seed the Irish provincial sides according to what position they finish in that competition, they are to seek further clarification as to exactly what the union meant in their statement earlier this week.
"It has been agreed that the IRFU will use the Celtic League to rank its provincial sides next season, but reserves its right to nominate which teams will qualify for participation in the Heineken Cup competition," said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne.
"We want to know exactly what that means," said a Munster official. "Maybe we are being picky but come next May we want to know exactly where we stand. We need to know exactly what 'reserve the right' means. We want them to say clearly that seedings for the Heineken Cup will be determined by the Celtic League positions and that Connacht has another avenue to go in order to qualify for the Heineken Cup. That's all."
Munster are looking at an unlikely worst possible scenario whereby they have a bad Celtic League run. With 10 international players missing for more than half of the 20 matches, a terrible season could result in them ending near the bottom of the table and Connacht, perhaps, finishing in the top three or even winning it. "Then what?" asks the Munster official.
It's expected officials will meet with the IRFU next week in order to determine the explicit meaning of "reserve the right."
Meanwhile, Connacht have announced their starting team for tomorrow's Celtic League opener against Glasgow (2.30 pm). A squad of 23 named on Wednesday has been reduced to 22, Darren Yapp withdrawing because of injury.
Niall O'Brien has returned to fitness to take a place on the bench. Four players will make their competitive debuts with David Slemen starting at full back, James Downey at inside centre, Paul Warwick at outhalf and Tom Tierney at scrumhalf.
South African prop Stephen Knoop and former Monivea and Clontarf utility back O'Brien will be among the replacements.
CONNACHT (v Glasgow Rugby): D Slemen; T Robinson, M Mostyn, J Downey, McPhillips; P Warwick, T Tierney; A Clarke, J Fogarty, P Bracken, C Short, A Farley, J Muldoon, M Lacey, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: H Bourke, S Knoop, M Carroll, P Neville, C O'Loughlin, E Elwood, N O'Brien.
