O’Driscoll is cleared for Cup
Border Reivers yesterday confirmed that they would not pursue a citing threat against O’Driscoll, who was suspected by club officials of a stamping offence on Nicky Walker in a Celtic League game last weekend.
But a spokesman for the club said yesterday that, after video analysis, it was decided not to pursue the matter. O’Driscoll had vehemently denied any foul play, but spent the last few days sweating on the final reaction from the Scottish club.
Meanwhile, Munster will be without five key players for Saturday’s crunch Celtic League clash against fourth placed Edinburgh Gunners at Thomond Park. Ronan O’Gara, Marcus Horan, Christian Cullen, Denis Leamy and Jeremy Manning were not considered by the management team.
Manning, stretchered off last Friday, and Cullen trained yesterday and coach Declan Kidney said he believed all five had every chance of being fit for the Leinster game. Saturday’s squad includes Rob Henderson and Mike Mullins, who are both returning after lengthy injuries.
Munster have lost their last three matches in the Celtic League - their worst run since 2003/04. Their record against Scottish sides this season is won 2, lost 2. Edinburgh have also lost their last three games in the Celtic League, but won on their last visit to Ireland: 27-13 against Leinster at Donnybrook on 6 November.
However, Munster have won the last four games they have played against Edinburgh since the Gunners’ last win in the series: 28-17 at Cork in April 2004.
Alain Rolland and Joel Jutge have been appointed to referee the Heineken Cup semi-finals on the weekend of April 22 and 23. Leading Irish official Rolland will be in charge of the semi-final between Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque and Bath Rugby at Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian, on Saturday, April 22.
It will be the second Heineken Cup semi-final he has refereed. But it will be the first Heineken Cup semi-final for top French official Jutge when he controls the all-Irish match between Leinster and Munster at Lansdowne Road on Sunday, April 23.
However, both have refereed Heineken Cup finals, Rolland the 2004 showpiece occasion between London Wasps and Toulouse at Twickenham and Jutge the 2002 Millennium Stadium clash between Leicester Tigers and Munster.
Former Munster boss Alan Gaffney says a decision on whether he will be made the new coach at Saracens will be revealed by the middle of the week. Gaffney, who until recently was assistant coach of Australia, is favourite to succeed Steve Diamond.
“We are in ongoing discussions and that could be resolved one way or another soon,” he said. “There have been talks but there is nothing formal yet. A decision could come within the next 24 hours.”
Gaffney was Australia assistant under Eddie Jones, who as Saracens’ temporary boss has secured their top-flight status and advised on the appointment. Saracens have been labelled as the perennial under-achievers in the Premiership but Gaffney is confident the club’s fortunes can be turned around.
“I have followed Sarries for a lot of years,” he said.
“There have been a lot of Aussies playing with them over the years and it is a side that Australians have been fully acquainted with and aware of, going back to the days of Michael Lynagh, Tim Horan, Duncan McRae among others. They have gone through a few lean times in recent years but I am sure that can be rectified.”
Diamond was sacked in February after a poor start to the season saw Saracens on the brink of relegation. Jones has guided the club to seventh and safety after coming in as a consultant but the Australian cannot be appointed on a permanent basis as he has signed a three-year contract with Queensland Reds.
The former Australia coach hand-picked Gaffney, who was then assistant coach at New South Wales, to work with the Wallabies. However, both men lost their jobs last December after a dismal run of form by the Australian national side.
“I have thought about returning to club rugby, I have always enjoyed it,” said Gaffney, who guided Munster to Celtic Cup glory last summer.
“Opportunities in Australia are very restricted as far as that is concerned. It is an amateur game in the main at club level at home. From a professional perspective it would be a Super 14 side or a position with the Australian national team but beyond that there is not a lot of money around.
“So it’s a matter of going where opportunities do lie.”
Although Gaffney has not been confirmed in the role, he is fully aware of the demands of the Premiership, having spent five years in Ireland with Munster and as assistant coach of Leinster.
“Obviously it is a very difficult competition,” he added.
“With the threat of relegation hanging over clubs it is a difficult time for all concerned. I had the luxury in Ireland where that situation does not apply. The negatives of not being in it as opposed to being in it must be enormous.
“It is also a huge consideration for the players. They want to further their careers, playing representative rugby, and you will have a lot more chance of that if you know you are playing in the top flight week in, week out and will be next year. You like to see players playing with ambition and trying certain things but there is a risk that a mistake could lead to relegation such as Jeremy Staunton for Harlequins last summer.
“I am not blaming him but it should never have come down to him kicking a penalty from 40m out to keep Quins in the top flight, but that is what happens.”
Former Italy coach John Kirwan and Nigel Melville, who has been in charge of both Wasps and Gloucester, have also been linked with the role.
: J Hayes, F Pucciarello, E McGovern, J Flannery, D Fogarty, F Roche, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell, M O’Driscoll, S Keogh, D Wallace, JO’Sullivan, A Foley, P Stringer, P Burke, T O’Leary, M Prendergast, M Lawler, A Horgan, I Dowling, R.Henderson, T Halstead, M Mullins, J Kelly, S Payne.
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