In an already discordant month for Leinster rugby, the branch a.g.m. in Old Belvedere tomorrow night is set to be marked by a division that is historically unusual - a challenge to one of the standing officers.

As the majority of club delegates are only now learning, sitting honorary secretary Dorothy Collins is likely to be opposed by former Leinster Branch secretary Peter Squire, who insiders believe has the backing of the outgoing president, Tony de Lacy.

Collins became the first woman to hold administrative office at representative level in Irish rugby when filling the void created by Sandy Heffernan's retirement from the influential position.

For years no one had been prepared to fill a role which had become increasingly busy, but then Collins stepped forward two years ago.

Collins, a sister of the current Munster manager, Jerry Holland, had worked for some time as secretary at Old Belvedere and was widely perceived to have done a good job, working well with the then newly appointed chief executive of the Leinster Branch, Mick Dawson.

Despite voluntarily combining her Leinster Branch duties with her work as a barrister, Collins has expressed her desire to remain in the post.

Branch officials and staff have been angered by the reported move to replace Collins, and by the fact Squire's candidature has the apparent backing of de Lacy.

The latter's presidency - which was brought forward by a year to coincide with the referees' centenary - expires tomorrow, when he is replaced by Louis Magee.

Squire, a long-time member of Old Wesley, actually vacated the position of honorary secretary in the 1980s when his company, IGM, relocated him to Paris, but he is now back in Ireland.

If it comes to a vote, the ballot will be upwards of 160, as each of the 19 senior clubs in Leinster is entitled to four votes while the 55 junior clubs have one or two votes each, depending on their status.