WITH the opening phase of this eagerly-awaited tour now successfully negotiated, the next 10 days will prove pivotal to the success of the upcoming test series.

INTERNATIONAL trio Malcolm O’Kelly, Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie will be sprung from the bench if things go wrong for Leinster against Glasgow in the Celtic Cup quarter-final at Lansdowne Road tonight (7.30).

ITALIAN coach John Kirwan yesterday backed Ireland to win the Triple Crown at Lansdowne Road.