In the continuing effort to improve communication on and off the pitch between referees, players and coaches - while also endeavouring to give the interprovincials more continuity - a number of referees took part in a practice game during Leinster's training session last night.
In particular, the Leinster management and players want to focus on the laws governing the tackle situation, so as to reduce the number of penalties they conceded when going forward against Ulster at Donnybrook last Saturday.
All of this follows the referees' conference on Sunday chaired by Owen Doyle, at which the Leinster coach Mike Ruddock was invited to give his views. Ruddock highlighted the importance of speeding the game up and allowing continuity.
Ruddock is at pains to stress that he does not wish to criticise Saturday's official David McHugh, or apportion any blame for Leinster's relatively poor display to the Munster official. "We had our own failings on Saturday and it had nothing to do with Mr McHugh."
However, Ruddock is understandably keen to develop what is euphemistically called the "total game", as advanced by Irish coach Brian Ashton and the provincial coaches. "If we are to develop this game, then we need to ensure that the positive team, in taking the ball on, are given every opportunity to recycle the ball.
"To help us to achieve our aims," he said prior to last night's exercise, "a couple of referees will attend our practice, which is good for the game. From our point of view, we want to identify when and where the players with recycling skills can use those skills.
"This is what we are all working towards, recycling the ball, continuity and fitness. But if the team intent on recycling the ball are going to be penalised, and therefore be disadvantaged by keeping possession, coaches will have to start thinking of resorting to a kicking game. But we'd much rather try and improve our rucking skills."
Following last night's practice game, and further fitness tests on a number of injured players, Leinster may announce their side to play Munster in Saturday's pivotal game of the interpros in Musgrave Park today or tomorrow. The A side will also be announced then.
Hamstring victims Alan McGowan and Tony Goldfinch are the main concerns in an injury list which also includes Stephen Rooney (calf damage), Steve Jameson (thigh) and Angus McKeen (neck).
Similarly, Munster will hold of selecting their side until today or tomorrow. Paul Cunningham (calf), Gavin Walsh (calf) and John Hayes (shoulder) are their only concerns.
Ulster, too, are waiting on a number of players ruled out of last Saturday's opening matches - Maurice Field (shoulder), Stephen Bell (rib cartilage) and Andy Matchett (broken finger). Accordingly they will delay announcing their side to meet Connacht in Galway until Friday.
The only province to select so far are Connacht, who make two changes from the side beaten 29-9 by Munster for Saturday's visit of Ulster to the Sportsground. The previously sidelined Lansdowne centre Alan Reddan, making his first appearance of the season, comes in for Simon Allnutt in midfield while Michael Finlay replaces Martin Cahill at tight-head.
Swansea have demanded that the English RFU take action against Northampton for making an alleged illegal approach to the Welsh club's Lions centre Scott Gibbs.
Northampton have made a £300,000 offer for Gibbs but Swansea only found out when they read about it in a newspaper. The club's board is meeting tonight to consider the bid which is certain to be rejected.
The Swansea team manager Baden Evans said: "We have spoken to the Welsh Rugby Union and asked them to tell the RFU to take the appropriate action against Northampton.
"We are very disappointed in the way Northampton have conducted themselves. I contacted their owner Keith Bar well after reading comments attributed to him in a newspaper that Scott wanted to leave Swansea to join Northampton and that an offer had been made."
