IT is going to cost those who hold the 10-year tickets in the lower deck of the west stand at Landsdowne Road, £1,250 to renew their tickets next season. But that sum will only be for a three-year period.

That decision by the IRFU is certain to add still further to the current debate on tickets for the rugby internationals, their cost and availability.

The reason the tickets can be renewed for only three years is because of the probability that the ground will undergo major redevelopment. That is currently under consideration by the IRFU. In those circumstances it is understandable - that the union cannot go beyond a three-year period of the renewal of the tickets.

But a cost of £1,250 for a ticket for only three years is certain to cause major controversy. The highest priced stand ticket for an international at the moment is £30.

Even if Ireland play an average of five home internationals each season it will mean that it will cost over £80 per match for the ticket holders.

The last 10-year ticket renewal scheme undertaken by the union was for the east stand. That was in 1992 and the cost of renewal was £2,000, for the 10-year period, a very favourable price by comparison with the latest offer. But that caused major debate and dissatisfaction at the time on the grounds that some deemed it excessive.

It should be pointed out, however, that in some international grounds it costs a considerable sum of money just to buy the debentures for the right to purchase tickets for the internationals.

That, however, may offer little consolation or placate those who want to renew their tickets. They will feel that they supported the 10-year ticket schemes at a time when the IRFU launched the projects.

The first 10-year ticket offer was made over 20 years ago to pay for a major refurbishment of the lower deck of the west stand.