WHILE Interprovincial champions Leinster turned down a proposed three match tour to South Africa next August on medical advice - the matches were all due to take place at altitude - the province will undertake a tour August.

It is possible that Leinster may yet go to South Africa in August and undertake a rearranged schedule with the matches at sea level. If that cannot be finalised, Leinster will go to Europe and play two or three matches.

Permission had been given by the IRFU for the tour to South Africa. Leinster had been offered matches against Griquas West - whom the province beat earlier this season in Dublin, Eastern and Western Transvaal.

All those matches would have been at altitude and the medical advice given was that a tour in August at altitude would be ill advised.

A period of acclimatisation would have been required prior to the matches. They were also advised that it could take up to six weeks on return home for players to make a full recovery after playing the three matches at altitude

With the interprovincial championship due to start in September, such a tour would have had an adverse effect on Leinster's preparations.

If they go to South Africa, Leinster will become the first Irish provincial team to tour there. Ulster did tour in Zimbabwe a few years ago.

Another issue involving the provinces for next season is the question of payment to their officials - at least to the provincial coaches. There is a strong view that with provincial players now being paid, the coaches should receive some remuneration.

The Ulster branch announced some weeks ago it intended to appoint a full-time paid coach, whose duties will embrace other elements as well as coaching the provincial team. Former Ireland manager and last season's IRFU president, Ken Reid has already been appointed manager of the team.

The reappointment of the very successful Leinster management trio of Jim Glennon, Ciaran Callan and Paul Dean has not as yet been officially confirmed but their reappointment is no more than a formality.

The outgoing Munster management team has been reappointed en bloc. That is Colm Tucker (chairman), Gerry Holland (coach) and selectors Francis Brosnahan, Michael O'Neill and James Rael.

Eddie O'Sullivan has been, reappointed as coach to the Connacht team next season with former Connacht and Wanderers centre Michael Cosgrave as his assistant.