When the IRFU announced last Friday that the 2019-20 club/domestic game was being abandoned for the season this news was soon overtaken later in the day when the union unveiled its graded salary deferrals for all provincial players and staff. The amateur game has long since been dwarfed by its professional cousins, but while the provinces will remain as professional entities after the coronavirus pandemic, these are altogether more ominous times for the clubs.

Source: The Irish Times March 24, 2020 05:55 UTC