I'm not sure where I stand on the idea of a protest, but one thing I would like to understand fully from someone who knows is how much less Connacht actually get from the IRFU compared to the other provinces.

My understanding is (and I could be way off) that the IRFU pay the wages of centrally contracted players, which means the provinces who they play for essentially get them for free. Is this correct?

Secondly, is it true, that the IRFU give Connacht less funding than the other provinces?

Or is it the case that Connacht have less money because we attract less sponsorship money and smaller crowds => less revenue?

I'm hoping someone replies with definitive answers

wp_rathead wrote: is it just me or is this whole saga getting a bit into the John Delaney "Let us be 33rd Team at World Cup" stage..?

I see someone else has saved me the trouble of replying

No need to protest just beat the Leinster lads on the pitch, let our rugby do the talking.

is it just me or is this whole saga getting a bit into the John Delaney "Let us be 33rd Team at World Cup" stage..?

Mike's contract was up, he didn't want to renew it with us- is going to play for Leinster
It is frustrating but this is part of professional sport

Really? A tad over reacting here aren't we.

Hey folks,
So we have lost another Quality player to Leinster, Im sickened, Tom Sears has been a Great ambassodor for the Club so far in standing up for the club and province. We have been the hot topic on Radio talk shows all week, but its all a bit patronising to be fair.
The Sportgrounds is hosting Ireland A this January, I think it would be a great platform for Connacht Supporters to stage a powerful protest for equality among the provinces. If we(Connacht Fans) Could occupy key areas in the Ground and possibly display some banners.....stage some Chants...etc. Other ideas welcome.... Sick of being walked over by the IRFU.