Rugby ID card will help administrators and track development of game

THE IRFU yesterday launched a ‘Player Registration Card’ in a bid to develop the game in Ireland.

All Irish rugby players will be issued with a registration number, which will be critical to their participation in official competition. At youth level, all under-18 players and their coaches will be in receipt of a players identification card, complete with photo and relevant personal details.

The programme is crucial for the IRFU as it will provide the administrators of the game at club, provincial and national level with critical management information and accurate statistics vital to game development and competition organisation.

Meanwhile this evening will prove to be a busy one on the friendly front. The Leinster Lions take on Gloucester in Donnybrook, Ulster play Orrell in Ravenhill and Munster open their season against Rotherham in Thomond Park.

In Donnybrook (kick-off 7.30pm), Denis Hickie, Leo Cullen and Eric Miller will continue their preparations for the World Cup. A fit again Hickie is a virtual certainty for Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad but Cullen and Miller have a fight on their hands to edge into the ultra competitive back-five arena.

Jonathan Bell misses the Ravenhill clash through injury sustained during the week but hopes to be fit for the international against Italy.

The Thomond Park crowd could see the return of Keith Wood in a Munster jersey with the Irish captain expected to be given much needed game time in his bid to regain full fitness ahead of the RWC.

Meanwhile the newly formed Connacht rugby supporters club are running a competition to find a new name for the supporters club to coincide with the start of the season.

The competition is open to the public, and the winning prize is a Connacht rugby season ticket for 2003-2004, valid for all home Celtic League, Celtic Cup and European Challenge Cup fixtures.

To enter, simply email [e-mail]. The closing date has been extended to Monday August 25, and the winner will be announced at the Connacht v London Irish season-opener friendly at the Galway Sportsground on Tuesday August 26 (kick-off 6.30pm).

ULSTER: Bryn Cunningham; Seamus Mallon, Ryan Constable, Shane Stewart, Andrew Maxwell; Paddy Wallace, Kieran Campbell; Ronan McCormack, Paul Shields, Simon Best; Matt McCullough, Gary Longwell; Tony McWhirter, Andy Ward capt, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: Matt Sexton, Clem Boyd, Matt Mustchin, Neil Best, Reece Spee, Tommy Bowe, Scott Young.

LEINSTER: Girvan Dempsey; Gordon D’Arcy, Kieran Lewis, David Quinlan, Denis Hickie; Christian Warner, Brian O’Meara; Reggie Corrigan capt, Shane Byrne, Niall Treston; Ben Gissing, Leo Cullen; Aidan McCullen, Keith Gleeson, Eric Miller.

Replacements: Darren Molloy, Gavin Hickie, Aidan Kearney, Shane Jennings, Brian O’Riordan, Matthew Leek, John McWeeney, Gary Brown, Des Dillon.

MUNSTER Squad: Backs: J Staunton, D Crotty, M Lawlor, S Payne, M Mullins, J Jones Hughes, R Henderson, C O’Sullivan, A Horgan, M McPhail, J Holland, E Reddan, F Murphy, D Urlich.

Forwards: J Williams, P Malone, D Wallace, C McMahon, A Quinlan, D Leamy, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell, T Hogan, T Hayes, E Halvey, J Hayes, J Blaney, J Flannery, A Long, K Wood, M Horan, S Kerr, F Roche, E McGovern, F McLoughlin.