O’Callaghan drafted into Irish squad for trip to Siberia

DONNACHA O’CALLAGHAN has been drafted into the Irish panel for the trip to Siberia on Thursday following the withdrawal of Victor Costello yesterday.

O'Callaghan, the Cork Constitution and Munster forward, trained with the Irish squad at their summer camp in Poland.

The development means that table-topping Munster coach Alan Gaffney will have to plan without O'Callaghan for Friday's Celtic League clash with Swansea at Musgrave Park.

The Munster-Swansea clash will take on added significance for the two men in charge. Swansea's John Connolly, who once lured Peter Clohessy to Australia, will come face-to-face with old rival Gaffney, who has warned the All Whites: "We are not playing anywhere near our potential."

With the Celtic League still short of the halfway point of the Pool stages three down and four to go Munster, Neath, Glasgow Rugby and Connacht are the only ones with 100% records.

Swansea kept their quarter-final qualifying hopes alive with a home victory over Ulster and will face a Munster side missing nine players on World Cup qualifying duty in Russia.

"We are happy with our results so far and we are relaxed about the eight internationals calls. We always knew that was going to happen," said Gaffney.

"But we have plenty of improvements to make. We are not getting the basics right and we must work harder.

"Swansea are a very good side and it is going to be a difficult match for us. They will consider they had a disappointing run last season but with each match they play under new coach John Connolly they will begin to get it together."

Swansea captain centre Scott Gibbs (ankle) and full back Kevin Morgan (dead leg) are All Whites worries. "The chances of either of them playing in Cork are hanging in the balance," said general manager Byron Mugford.

Meanwhile, the International Rugby Board yesterday announced that Dr Syd Millar has been appointed vice-chairman of the board and of Rugby World Cup Ltd.

Dr Millar will also assume the role of acting chairman of both organisations during the present incapacitation, through ill health, of Vernon Pugh QC. His appointment will be subject to ratification by the IRB Council when it meets in November.

Celtic League fixtures: Friday Pool A, Ulster v Neath, Ravenhill; Munster v Swansea, Musgrave Park (both 7.30pm).

Pool B, Connacht v Newport, Galway Sportsgrounds, 5.45pm; Pontypridd v Borders, Sardis Road, 7pm; Glasgow v Bridgend, Glasgow, 7.30pm.

Saturday:Pool A, Caerphilly v Edinburgh, Caerphilly, 2.30pm; Llanelli v Ebbw Vale, Llanelli, 2.30pm.

Pool B, Cardiff v Leinster, Cardiff, 5.30pm.