As we come to the end of the season - at least in this part of the rugby world - it would be nice to think, and even nicer to be able to say, the game during the season had presented a good image in all aspects on a global basis. It would, however, be untrue.

Yes, there some worthy and memorable matches, some great achievements, none better from an Irish perspective than that of the Ireland Under-19 team who won the World Cup. The Ireland Under-21 and University teams won Triple Crowns, the Youths had a 100 per cent record, and the Schools side yet again did extremely well and were unfortunate not to win yet another Triple Crown.

Shannon added further lustre to their superb record in the AIB League. The schools cup campaigns once more lifted heart and spirit, as they invariably do. Last Monday in Naas, the Blackrock College Under-20 team yet again showed us what a really fine team they are.

Connacht's performances in the European Conference were a huge boost for the game in the west and a tribute to coach Warren Gatland. We can add in some encouraging, if not winning, performances from the Ireland senior side, and feel confident that Gatland has shown definite signs that he has the qualities required of the man at the helm of the national team. All those are elements which it will be pleasant to reflect upon during the summer.

But it would be folly to ignore the downside. Ireland lost a coach and a manager, and both departures were tinged with controversy. Brian Ashton had had enough after Ireland's defeat by Scotland, and admitted subsequently that he had made mistakes, not least in his incredible decision not to watch league matches, and that he failed to understand the nature of Irish rugby and the Irish characteristics and was not, in his own view, the man for the task on hand.

The Irish manager, Pat Whelan, came through the turbulent waters when it was suggested that an unbridgeable dichotomy had arisen between himself and Ashton. Ashton was put up front and was clearly uncomfortable. Then, when it seemed Ireland had a management team of Whelan, Gatland and Donal Lenihan that were on the same wavelength, the manager resigned.

The reasons he gave for his resignation were centred on his family and his business commitments. They are understandable reasons. But the accusations that he hit a journalist in a Limerick night club two days before he resigned have left a cloud over the rugby career of a man who was often confrontational but who nonetheless has given an immense amount to the game in several spheres of activity. Whelan has made no comment on the accusations.

Sadly, too often during the season activities and happenings off the field submerged those on it. The controversies in England have become a regular feature and continue. On the field, ears and thumbs are bitten and heads are butted. The lawyers are called in.

In Ireland, we have a club turning to the courts to get a decision about a match postponement overturned. In South Africa, the National Sports Council wants the president of the union out of office, with threats of dire consequences if that does not happen. In Australia, the coach is sacked and goes to court.

These are changed times. Rugby is still and, I hope, always will be a great game in which the vast majority in it have the right values. It is easy to blame it all on professionalism, but it would be equally wrong, for life is always conditioned by an attitude. Therein lies the core of the problem. The attitude and actions of a minority can and are doing immense damage.

Meanwhile, its contract time again for the Ireland players and that inevitably leads to debate. That in itself is no bad thing. Just as in Ireland, there are aspects of the contractual issue that are contentious in other countries too, most notably in England, where one of the problems is club versus country.

The contracts are of crucial importance to Irish rugby. Upwards of 10 players who are currently playing in England have contacted the IRFU about returning to Ireland. That in itself is encouraging, if by no means conclusive, evidence that they will all return.

Speaking on the negotiations with the players, both home and English based, who are being offered international contracts, Billy Lavery, chairman of the IRFU contracts sub-committee, said: "I have had considerable personal contact with the players and the dealings I have had with the players have gone extremely well. The vast majority of our home based players have agreed the terms and are very happy with them. The negotiations with the English based players have been held in the most amicable of circumstances.

"The contracts being offered are for two years to give the players that kind of security. That will take them through to the end of the 1999-2000 Championship. Of course it is in the mutual interest of union and players that we conclude the negotiations as speedily and satisfactorily as possible. I must say I have found the players reasonable and approachable."

Any English based players who are not offered an international contract will be free to join any club that offers them terms. The other players who return to Ireland must play for the clubs they were with before they went to play in England. The nature of that clause could prove to be an inhibiting factor.

But, as I understand the position, only two English based players who have expressed a desire to return to Ireland have stated any reservations on that issue.

The reason for the clause that players must return to their home based clubs and those in Ireland must stay put is that, if that were not in place, then it would inevitably mean a scramble for players and just a few clubs with financial muscle would derive the benefit.

Inevitably there will be divergent views among clubs and players on this aspect of the international contracts. However admirable the concept, its implementation could prove difficult.

The drawing up of and agreement on contracts can be a protracted business. Agents are involved, and so be it; and of course some agents represent more than one player. There is another factor, too. There are option clauses in some of the contracts players have with English clubs. For instance, the question of relegation from the first division of the English league has still not been settled. If a club is relegated, then obviously it will mean that budgets will be severely cut back and sponsorship not as lucrative. This will have the knock-on effect of some players being released.

As the contracts issue is sorted out - and the sooner the better - the rewards for international contracts will, to say the least, be substantial. For instance, some can look forward to earning in excess of £60,000 annually, and for others it will be appreciably higher. Nice work if you can get it.