It hasn't been the best of times for the IRFU these past few weeks. The rugby union, with its rich history and fantastic assimilation into the professional form of the game, was all expectant with the arrival of their new pride and joy, the “Aviva Stadium” (that's the last time that this column will use that term to describe one of the most historic rugby grounds in the world. “Lansdowne Road” will do thank you very much, no amount of marketing pressure will persuade this writer otherwise.

The new stadium was meant to be the IRFU's proud and joy, the representation of all that is good about the game in this country. The old place, while awash with history and the ghosts of Irish rugby past, was starting to show its age. Anyone who went there could tell you tales of nonexistent toilet facilities, dangerously crowded terraces and two stands that were relics of a bygone age.

Her time was up, but it wouldn't be easy to replace the old dear.

The move to Croke Park was a godsend for the IRFU. GAA HQ managed to transfer the atmosphere and magic of those Lansdowne days, whilst adding its own 'oomph' factor. With an extra capacity of over 35,000, this was an arrangement that offered the IRFU greater financial reward and the ability to allow more fans to see the team in the flesh.

This writer had the pleasure to be at the Jones' Road venue for some of the major rugby games, such as the encounters with New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and France. These matches attracted full, or close to full, attendances, and engendered atmospheres that were energetic and enthusiastic. It was some sight to see and hear Hill 16 in full voice in response to the action on the pitch.

With the opening of the new stadium came the countdown to the Irish rugby team's first match there...a countdown that culminated in the farce of last Saturday when an official attendance of just over 35,000 turned up in a stadium that holds almost 52,000. It was nothing short of a PR disaster for the IRFU, their spanking new home left naked in parts, devoid of atmosphere and the usual buzz that accompanies big international fixtures.

The ticketing policy of the IRFU was bizarre in the extreme, failing totally to take into account that the country is in the midst of a major financial dip. The initial instruction to clubs was that tickets had to be sold as a four match package (that would cost €340), before this was pared back to a two game package for either South Africa/Samoa or New Zealand/Argentina (€150 and €190 respectively).

Yet this attempted U-turn by the IRFU was too little too late, as fans voted with their feet last weekend. It was ludicrous of the IRFU to assume that, just because they were back in “rugby country” they could charge top dollar. Philip Browne, who usually seems a reasonable fellow, made the argument that the increased ticket prices were for the new and enhanced stadium experience that supporters were getting. Rubbish.

The new stadium is a fine structure, I've been there for a number of matches already (not last weekend's though). It's design ensures that the fans are close to the pitch, with the sound rolling down the stands to create an impressive cacophony (enough has been written already about the reduced capacity of the northern section – the IRFU and FAI have done their best with a tricky situation).

But to suggest that prices of €100, €95 and €90 for single match tickets can be justified merely because of the new stadium indicates that the IRFU has its head in the sand on this issue (or some other pace where the sun doesn't shine). There were ads running before the South African contest, with the tag line that “This is rugby country”. The insinuation is that rugby is back home, in the environs it knows best. The leafy suburbs of D4 have replaced the inner city vibe of D3 and Croke Park.

That's the impression that many of those who began to follow rugby in recent years will be getting. It's a case of “thanks for your custom when we played in Croke Park, but now we're back home in D4 dahling, so bugger off unless you can stump up the entrance fee.” Whether it's true or not, that's the stink that is emanating from this whole fiasco.

I like the IRFU, I trust them and feel that they have managed the professional game in Ireland brilliantly. But they've dropped the ball on this one, knocking on to a horrible extent.

I was at the South Africa match in Croke Park last year, where over 75,000 attended and provided an atmosphere that was hard to beat as the fog descended on Jones' Road. Fast forward to last Saturday and the eerie silence that accompanied the contest at times (it started with the barely audible cheer as the Irish team entered the pitch). When I was a young boy rugby games at Lansdowne Road were accompanied by baying masses, a sense of organised chaos and a carefree attitude emitting from the ground.

The new stadium was lacking the basics last weekend. Gone was the famed Lansdowne Roar (bar a few attempted shouts in the last twelve minutes). Instead it was all sedate, a restrained crowd and a stadium that was over a quarter empty.

The passion and drive of the corresponding fixture last November was missing, replaced by a passive crowd and players who seemed to be playing together for the first time.

Hopefully, the new Lansdowne Road will have better days, both on and off the pitch. Lessons will have to be learned – fans should never be taken for granted, and putting profit before people can have serious consequences.

Let's hope they keep their eye on the ball in future...