Lawyers offer to help attacker

THE rugby fan who attacked Irish referee David McHugh in Durban at the weekend has been offered free advice from South African lawyers and help to pay his bail.

A South African Sunday newspaper was inundated with calls of support for Pieter van Zyl, the thick-set 43-year-old who dislocated McHugh's shoulder when he tackled him midway through the Tri-Nations test in Durban.

People called the paper offering to pay his 3000 rand ($667) bail.

Another newspaper, the Natal Witness, reports that three lawyers have offered van Zyl who has been charged with assault, grievous bodily harm and trespass their legal services free.

McHugh has announced that he intends to sue. Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli, speaking on behalf of McHugh, who was still shaken, said: "I know Dave is seeking legal advice. He intends to sue the perpetrator. An individual can't take out his frustrations on another individual in that way. We need to look at technology to make the game more professional."

The International Rugby Board said that the spectator who attacked McHugh had been given a life ban from rugby.

In a statement, the world governing body said it "deplored" the incident and applauded South African rugby officials for the life ban.

The support for van Zyl comes from rugby fans who believe South Africa has been the victim of some unfair refereeing decisions.

McHugh angered South Africans during Sunday's game by disallowing a Breyton Paulse try after ruling that there was obstruction in the build-up.

Earlier, he awarded the All Blacks a penalty try after a high tackle.

SA Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer said the incident had done South Africa's image serious harm.

Oberholzer said that stereotype was not typical of Springbok supporters.

"Our supporters are highly intelligent people who understand the game very well," he said.

"It takes one idiot to destroy all of it."

Attention is now focused on ensuring the safety of New Zealand referee Paddy O'Brien during the Springboks-Wallabies Tri-Nations rugby test at Ellis Park, in Johannesburg, on Sunday.

Meanwhile Connacht, bidding to build on the progress of the last two seasons, have made another major signing with the acquisition of ex-Scottish captain Eric Peters.

The signing of the No. 8, capped 29 times by Scotland, comes two weeks after Connacht announced that they had secured the services of former Australian international lock Warwick Waugh.

Connacht coach Steph Nel said that the signing of 33-year-old Peters was another significant development for the side.

"The average age of our squad is just over 22 and in order to bring on and develop young talent, you need experience around them," Nel said.

"Eric Peters will provide that and a lot more to Connacht, and his signing is a major boost," he said.

Connacht will play the first of three pre-season warm-up matches when they entertain Bristol Shoguns at the Galway Sportsground tomorrow before taking on Warren Gatland's Wasps at High Wycombe on Sunday afternoon. They will then host Munster at the Sportsground on Friday week, August 23, at 3pm.

Bristol Shoguns' first pre-season warm-up game of their Irish tour tonight against Munster will see Scottish number eight Ross Beattie lead the team for the first time as captain.

Beattie will lead out a Shoguns fifteen at Thomond Park, for a 7pm game, that includes recent England cap Phil Christophers, new centre signing Martin Shaw, and a second row of Gareth Archer and Andrew Sheridan.

Bristol's final game of the pre-season tour will be against Leinster at Longford RC on Saturday at 3pm.

MUNSTER (XV v. Bristol Shoguns, tonight, Thomond Park, 7pm): D. Crotty; J. Lacey, M. Mullins, J. Holland, M. Lawlor; J. Staunton, M. Prendergast; P. Brennan, J. Blaney, R. Laffen; D. O'Callaghan, M. Galwey; P. Malone, C. McMahon, J. Williams (capt).

BRISTOL (v Munster): L. Best, P. Christophers, T. Luke, M. Shaw, B. Daniel, S. Drahm, P. Hodgson, R. Beattie (capt), M. Lipman, C. Morgan, G. Archer, A. Sheridan, E. Bergamaschi, N. McCarthy, D. Crompton.