IRISH rugby chiefs have employed independent consultancy firm, Genesis, to assist in their review of the Irish team’s performance at the Rugby World Cup.

In an echo of the FAI investigation after the Saipan debacle, independent consultant Brian Porteous of Genesis Consulting is to commence a review of the Irish team's performances in Rugby World Cup 2007.

NIALL O’DONOVAN yesterday spoke of his sadness in leaving Simon Best behind in a Bordeaux hospital as the Ireland squad prepared for the three hour train journey to Paris.

DEMOLITION work at Lansdowne Road is due to finish in December but work has already begun on the new state-of-the-art ground with excavation and supports for the new East Stand currently underway.

IRFU chiefs have agreed a new management structure, with special committees to oversee four key areas - finance, the professional game, the domestic game and commercial/marketing.

Friends of Connacht Rugby have confirmed that the ‘Save Connacht Rugby’ protest march to Lansdowne Rd in Dublin tomorrow is definitely going ahead.

Players have been given more time to prepare submissions to the game’s control board amid concerns over the financial future of rugby and Connacht rugby in particular.

The IRFU tonight issued a statement denying a decision has been made to scrap the professional set-up in Connacht.

IRISH centre Ron Henderson has been told by his club Wasps that he will not be released for Ireland’s proposed two match tour of South Africa next week because they feel it would be foolish to allow the 28-year-old to travel with a shoulder injury.