O’Leary could get Munster centre spot

TOMÁS O’LEARY could line out for Munster as outside centre in the Celtic League game with Llanelli at Stradey Park on Saturday.

O’Leary has been used as a scrum-half and a winger, but is set to make his debut at number 13 in Wales as coach Declan Kidney seeks to find a formula to beat Perpignan in the Heineken Cup quarter-final a week on.

The good news for Munster is that Christian Cullen is likely to play a part in the game, having made his return in a couple of friendlies over the last 10 days. Cullen has recovered from two major shoulder operations, but desperately needs game time in advance of the Heineken Cup.

Munster will announce a panel of players for the game today and Cullen is likely to be joined in that group by Anthon Pitout and Mike Mullins.

Isaac Boss came through a fitness test yesterday to confirm his place in Ulster’s starting against the Dragons as the Celtic League swings into at Ravenhill on Saturday (3.30pm). He returns to action after injuring his ankle against Munster three weeks ago.

However, Ireland tyro Andrew Trimble has been rested after his Six Nations heroics, giving him time to recover fully from a slight knee injury. Trimble also missed the bonus-point win against Munster which took Ulster to the top of the table. Coach Mark McCall goes again with the same team, with Jonny Bell accompanying Paul Steinmetz in midfield.

And McCall is still wary about the Dragons, who are expected to have all their Welsh big guns on board.

“We might be on a good roll particularly on the back of Ireland’s Triple Crown win, but you only have to take a look at the Dragons squad and it is filled with real top-class talent.”

Ulster, meanwhile, have completed the signing of Saracens and former Wallaby centre Mark Bartholomeusz. The 28-year-old former ACT Brumbies player, who can play anywhere in the back-line, joins on a two-year deal.

Bartholomeusz enjoyed Super 12 success with the Brumbies four seasons ago and won his only cap against Italy later that year.

Up-and-coming prop Bryan Young has signed a new three-year contract, while veteran centre Kevin Maggs is in the mix for another season.

Meanwhile, World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson has called on the RFU to turn to Clive Woodward in a bid to improve the miserable fortunes of the England team.

Woodward stepped down having guided England to glory at the 2003 World Cup, and backed his successor Andy Robinson to succeed.

But Robinson has endured a nightmare tenure and is under serious pressure following England’s recent capitulation in the Six Nations. And Johnson, now retired, believes Woodward - currently working in football for Southampton - is the man to step in and turn things around ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Speculation suggests he has already been approached about taking on a role within the RFU to operate above Robinson.

Johnson said: “The RFU either want to fix it or they don’t. Clive is the man. He sees the bigger picture and England has to be the bigger picture. He has a proven track record. He’s the only coach England have really had in the professional era. He has a wealth of experience.

“Perhaps he is not everyone’s cup of tea and he might rub people up the wrong way a bit, but that is part of the job. If you go for the status quo you will never get anything done. He should have the role that oversees everything.”

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, J Bell, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best, J Harrison, M McCullough, N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, N McMillan, K Campbell, A Larkin, K Maggs.