Now that the main issues concerning all three Ireland players who had adverse drug tests last season have been resolved - one had in fact been set aside quite some time ago and two of the three exonerated from doing anything illegal - a cloud that hung over Irish rugby has cleared. But there are still elements of the matter that linger.

Nothing has been more unsatisfactory about this whole unfortunate affair than the circumstances surrounding the player who had the adverse test after the Five Nations match last season. He had taken a prescribed substance, which had been declared, for genuine therapeutic reasons.

That was the case that emerged on October 6th when the IRFU was notified by the UK Sports Council. It was truly astonishing that there had been no notification of this to the IRFU until that date. It was a few days after that the IRFU unwisely decided to hold a press conference on the drugs issue. That was an attempt to be transparent - it had the opposite effect in the prevailing circumstances and they are sufficiently well known not to need elaboration here. Suffice to say it caused major problems for the IRFU.

That brings me to the confidentiality clause in relation to players under investigation and what is a flawed procedure. For a start, once there is an adverse test on a player, it should be dealt with as a matter of urgency by all concerned. I am aware, in stating that, there are legal considerations and players will seek legal representation once they are under investigation.

There is a lesson for all concerned in relation to recent events on the drugs issue. What has been very unfair in recent times is that since it became known that there had been adverse tests, some players who were totally innocent have had their names and by extension their reputations tarnished by suspicion and innuendo.

The situation in relation to two of the Irish players who had the adverse findings may have been unusual because of the length of time that elapsed between the tests and the investigation and publication of the findings. In the interim several innocent players have suffered.

Confidentiality as it stands in relation to adverse findings may offer protection for those concerned in tests. It also leads to the finger of suspicion being pointed at the innocent and all that embraces for those players and the members of their families. Rugby's legislators should bear that in mind and recent events have underlined it.

The International Board does have a regulation about confidentiality while a case is under investigation. I am also aware that the drugs issue is a legal minefield. But if the adverse test is caused because medication has been taken for genuine therapeutic reasons, then the whole affair is done and dusted and that is the end of the matter and no stigma whatsoever is attached to the player.

If the player has been found guilty of taking a performance enhancing drug, then he gets what he deserves. I do accept, too. that a medical problem can be a very sensitive and delicate matter. But elements of that confidentiality clause are unsatisfactory.

The unfortunate circumstances that have surrounded the recent events, most notably the failure to notify the IRFU of the findings of a test taken eight months previously until October, has still not been explained satisfactorily. That did damage to the image of Irish rugby, however unjust that may be bearing in mind the findings announced last week.

Back to the field of play. There was not much in that area last week to lift heart and spirit. The performance given by Ireland against Romania was truly awful. Traditionally Ireland teams have never been comfortable in the role of odds-on favourites.

I am conscious, too, that psychologically it can be hard to lift performances in certain circumstances. Ireland had qualified for the World Cup finals prior to the match against the Romanians, who had also qualified. That inevitably took something from the match. But it is not an excuse for the basic errors and inefficiency that characterised far too much of Ireland's play last Saturday. We are talking here about full-time professionals and about pride in wearing the national jersey.

Disappointment is supposed to have the effect of sharpening the senses - in that event, Ireland should be honed to the finest level for the match tomorrow. Here is the ideal opportunity, if ever there was one, for Ireland to go out and give one of those performances against the improbable.

The visit of the world champions represents an exciting and enticing prospect with the centrepiece of the three-match Irish itinerary obviously the international at Lansdowne Road. South Africa go into the match against a background of 16 consecutive victories. A win will mean equalling New Zealand's all-time record of 17 successive international wins. That is certainly a huge incentive for the Springboks, but it also imposes its own burden.

I have always had more respect for the Springboks' strength, organisation and resolution than admiration at times for their approach which has been based on the physical rather than the fluent. On home soil, especially, their arrogance and that of their supporters has on occasion been less than edifying.

I have seen them defeated on six occasions on their own soil by the Lions - graciousness was markedly lacking on all six occasions. I have, too, seen them defeated twice at Lansdowne Road, once by Ireland and once by the Barbarians.

Indeed The Springboks have not won at Lansdowne Road for almost 38 years. Their last win at the venue was achieved against Leinster (12-5) on February 1st 1961. Their last international win there was the 8-3 victory on December 17th 1960 when they prevailed with a push-over try in injury time.

They lost to Ireland, 9-6 at Lansdowne Road in 1965, and indeed also lost to the Combined Universities on that tour at Thomond Park and drew with the Combined Provinces at Ravenhill.

In 1970 they drew 8-8 with Ireland and lost to the Barbarians in 1994 at Lansdowne Road by 23-15.

Now let the Ireland players steel themselves tomorrow afternoon to end South Africa's unbeaten run and preserve that unbeaten home record. Two of the four Irish members of the Barbarians side that defeated South Africa in 1994, will be on the field tomorrow. They are hooker Keith Wood and prop Peter Clohessy.

The match tomorrow represents a huge challenge to the Ireland team. But there is also a great incentive, and I do not mean financial, but that is there as well for the Irish players. There will be a capacity crowd to urge them on.