Connacht's Parker Pen Shield quarter-final against Pontypridd on Saturday could be one of the province's final matches as a professional outfit.

Irish Rugby Football Union officials discussed a proposal to dissolve the province at a meeting on Thursday night.

Ireland's rugby authorities have been considering the dramatic action in a bid to cut costs.

Reports on Thursday suggested the decision to axe Connacht had already been made.

However, Connacht team manager John Fallon claimed that the Connacht Branch had requested an EGM of the IRFU Council, which could delay any decision relating to the province.

It just does not make sense to cut it off at this stage Connacht players' statement

Fallon said that the branch had sent the required 13,000 Euro to accompany the request, and that the EGM would be held at the end of January.

A statement from the Connacht players on Thursday said it was "appalling" that the IRFU was contemplating disbanding the team 48 hours before the biggest match in its history.

"For the past number of years we have operated on less resources than the other three provinces," said the statement.

"Yet the progress made in that time has always been on an upward curve, reaching the quarter-finals of the Celtic League in the two years since the competition started.

"There has been tremendous developments at youth and schools level in the province.

"Is this now to be lost because of the decisions that are being considered by the IRFU?

"Bright future"

"Where will the young players in the province go to in the future?

"Just before Christmas nine Connacht players featured on the Irish development squad which played Argentina, clearly indicating just how bright the future is for Connacht players.

"More young players are taking up the game in Connacht, more people are following rugby than ever before and massive money has been spent on the redevelopment of the Sportsground.

"The future has never been as bright for rugby in Connacht before.

"It just does not make sense to cut it off at this stage."

Eric Elwood: Connacht stalwart

The IRFU estimates that it made losses of some 4 million euros in 2002 and, with a World Cup in Australia to come next summer, foresees an even heavier deficit for 2003.

IRFU spokesman John Redmond confirmed on Thursday that all four of Ireland's provinces were instructed last month to make financial sacrifices but that only one - Connacht - had been threatened with disbandment.

Connacht receives annual funding of about 2.2 million euros (�1.4m pounds) from the IRFU but has historically contributed very few players to the Ireland international team.

In recent times, Eric Elwood has been the only Connacht player to make an impact at international level.

The Irish change would correspond with moves in Wales and Scotland.

Wales are planning to switch from nine clubs to four provinces while Scotland currently field three professional rugby districts.

After dissolution, Connacht players would be free to join Ireland's remaining professional provinces of Leinster, Munster and Ulster.

Restrictions might be placed on the number of foreigners these sides could hire in order to encourage them to sign former Connacht players.

Meanwhile Connacht would probably continue to as an amateur side.