Ireland head coach Declan Kidney last night dismissed his team’s reprieve from post-match formalities in Paris as not “much of an olive branch” for the disruption caused to the squad and Irish supporters following last Saturday night’s postponement.

SUPPORTERS short-changed by last Saturday’s non-event in Paris will be reimbursed the price of their match ticket if they so choose but the Six Nations have confirmed there will be no contribution made to offset any travel or accommodation expenses.

IRELAND expect to learn today the new date for their postponed RBS 6 Nations clash with France with the Irish Rugby Football Union also keen to discuss with tournament organisers who will pick up the estimated €45,000 tab for the additional weekend in Paris.

A TALENTED rugby players has lost the sight in his right eye following an alleged gouging incident at the end of an AIL Division 2 game last month.

IRFU chiefs yesterday rejected claims the national squad are snubbing events organised by their New Zealand hosts at the Rugby World Cup next month.

IRELAND skipper Brian O’Driscoll has lifted the lid on some of the painful and bizarre work that Declan Kidney’s squad are undertaking ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

A SENIOR IRFU official last night warned that proposals to designate the Heineken Cup and the Six Nations as free-to-air television events in Ireland could, if successful, lead to ‘a lost generation of players’.

THE IRFU has vowed to take action if allegations a member of Ireland’s Grand Slam winning U20 squad took off his clothes and knocked on a guest’s door in the Athlone Springs Hotel are proven.

LUKE FITZGERALD will miss Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam defence after sustaining a serious knee injury in Sunday’s autumn international draw with Australia.

IRISH rugby bosses have reported that Tomás O’Leary ‘has rehabbed very well’ after he joined his international colleagues in a training session at the University of Limerick yesterday.

Former Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Ewood Park after Paul Ince was sacked yesterday.

The IRFU have dismissed claims Munster boss Declan Kidney will be appointed Ireland coach before the weekend.

THE IRFU last night dismissed claims that Munster boss Declan Kidney will be appointed Ireland coach before the weekend.

TICKETMASTER is raking in money from sold-out concerts by re-selling tickets on its own auction website — despite condemning fans for doing the same a year ago.

IRELAND coach Eddie O’Sullivan thought he had enough on his plate following his side’s dreadful World Cup but an Apres Match comedian had other ideas.

THE IRFU confirmed yesterday they are considering selling the naming rights to the redeveloped Lansdowne Road.

The IRFU today defended ticket prices for Six Nations matches due to take place at Croke Park next Spring.

IRISH journalist David Kelly has been given access to Ireland’s press conferences for the remainder of the New Zealand/Australia tour following a meeting of the players in Auckland.

Barry Coughlan