Rugby: Ulster bid to keep wisdom of Solomons

ULSTER chief executive Michael Reid sat down with coach Alan Solomons last night in an attempt to finally thrash out an extension to his contract.

It has been widely speculated that Solomons could move on when his contract expires on May 31 following a three-year stint at Ravenhill.

Zurich Premiership side Northampton are believed to be eager to bring Solomons to Franklins Gardens after Operations Director John Steele paid a fleeting visit to Belfast last week.

The Saints would see the former Springbok assistant as the man to fill the shoes of coach Wayne Smith if he moves back to New Zealand to link up with new All Blacks mentor Graham Henry.

While Solomons is widely respected and loves life in Northern Ireland, he is a professional coach who wants to work with the best players. Ulster are not exactly coming down with cash while Northampton appear to have a bottomless pit and can attract some of the top internationals in the world.

With the IRFU tightening its belt further, there is likely to be little extra money available next season. However, it is a double-edged sword as it would encourage coaches to bring on local players, an advantage to Irish rugby in the long run.

If Solomons were to go, then his former assistant Mark McCall, who is present Ireland under-21 coach, is a likely front-runner along with former Munster coach and Ireland assistant Declan Kidney.

Benetton Treviso's shock win over Bourgoin last weekend got little publicity, but Munster have taken full notice of the result with a trip to Italy looming.

Munster picked up their only bonus point in the home victory over the Italians but they recognise the away fixture could now prove troublesome.

Munster Public Relations Officer Pat Geraghty mirrored the view of the squad when he said yesterday:

"The Treviso victory would seem to have made escape from our group even more of a struggle. Obviously the future is in our own hands, but Bourgoin probably didn't do Munster any favours by losing in Italy."

Treviso's Kiwi coach Craig Green is much more confident of pulling a second stroke for an away day special against Bourgoin this week to put his side really back in the hunt.

"The 42-33 win over Bourgoin was vital for two reasons," said former All Blacks star Green.

"Firstly, before the start of the campaign, Bourgoin was a side we thought we could beat. But they have had a great season, so it means even more to have beaten one of the top sides in France.

"Secondly, it was important for Italian rugby we must get at least one or two wins a season to justify our participation and to continue our progression.

"As for the rest of the campaign, we've got a point to prove against Munster as we know we can play better than we did in the opening fixture.

"The Gloucester game away from home should be interesting because they may have to win and get five points in that game in order to go through. Hopefully, even if we don't qualify, we will have a big say in who actually does go through."

Leinster attempt to get their Heineken Cup quarter-finals qualifying bid back on track at Edgeley Park on Sunday, resigned to the loss of Brian O'Driscoll for the remainder of the Pool stage.

"We have another chance and this time we need to get it right," warned coach Gary Ella. "We have to go to Sale and be positive, play good rugby while being more patient.

"We were forcing things last Friday, going for it without the necessary build-up. The defeat was a combination of them playing well and us playing poorly - they attacked us from the start and we have never lost that amount of our own line-out ball in a single game. In the end we only played as well as they allowed us to play.

"But, make no mistake, Sale Sharks are a very good team and the guys who played in Dublin performed extremely well. Our strength in depth in attack was pretty weak and that is something we will be working on.

"As to the loss of Brian, well, he is the best centre in the world by a long way and obviously any side would miss a player of his class. It is a big blow for us but we have to get on with the job of being without him for between four and six weeks."