IRFU tries clubs’ patience

PROVINCES and Irish clubs yesterday were seething at the apparent lack of concern shown by the IRFU over the timing of the announcement of the national team, which prevented them finalising their teams for important weekend games.

Leinster and Munster, facing into Celtic League fixtures and clubs involved in a full programme of AIB League games had their selection plans delayed until the Irish squad of 22 players for the opening Six Nations game with France was finally clarified in mid-afternoon.

Leinster had nine players called to international duty but an injury crisis played additional havoc as they attempted to finalise a squad for a trip to Wales to play Gwent Dragons this evening.

Leinster, apart from the loss of players to the national squad, have 14 front-runners on the injured list, including Eric Miller, Felipe Contepomi, Aidan McCullen, Matt Leek and Des Dillon.

Leinster coach Gary Ella has filled his squad by calling upon five uncontracted newcomers under licence for this game.

All of that hasn’t gone down too well with the AIL clubs either, who, though accepting the circumstances, were none too pleased with the timing.

Clontarf, for instance, had Sean Brophy, James Downey and Niall O’Brien called up. A spokesman said he understood the Leinster dilemma but that the club could have done with more notice.

In comparison, Munster, with eight representatives on the Irish squad, can call on superior resources for their match against the Scottish Borders at Musgrave Park this evening (7.30) but back-room staff were still scarcely impressed at having to wait to announce the team. Five of the team who starred in the starting line up for the Heineken Cup victory over Bourgoin last week are retained in the side. Three of the five, Rob Henderson, Anthony Horgan and David Wallace, will hardly be pleased at exclusion from the Irish squad but coach Alan Gaffney will be delighted. Additionally, he can call upon Jeremy Staunton and James Blaney who has, in any event, played the last two Heineken Cup games in the absence of injured Frankie Sheahan.

Gaffney believes he has the added luxury of resting captain Jim Williams and John Kelly, while Shaun Payne is given an extra week to recover from injury. Mike Mullins is named on the bench in order to give Jason Jones-Hughes a rare first team appearance.

The side will be captained by Jason Holland who takes over from Ronan O’Gara in the number ten shirt and he will be partnered by Eoin Reddan.

With Donnacha O’Callaghan and Paul O’Callaghan called up to international duty, Trevor Hogan will partner David Pusey in the second row.

Overall, ten of the team involved in last week’s victory over Bourgoin are named in the side. Mossie Lawlor, Holland, Pusey, Stephen Keogh and Gordon McIllwham all played some role in that game.

Although Munster are well ahead of this evening’s opponents, Borders will travel with a strong side that includes six internationals and a couple of them, winger Nick Walker and centre Gareth Morton, two members of the current Scottish squad, have been given leave to travel by coach Matt Williams.

The Borders international contingent includes two of the Samoan side that played in the World Cup, Tanner Vili and Semo Sititi.

Team manager Alistair Cranston expressed the hope that his side would do well. “We know Munster will be without several of the top players but I wouldn’t be at all confident that it’s going to be easy. We’re playing a side with a great reputation and a great record.”

Yet, any side that can leave players like Doddie Weir and Ian Fairley on the bench must be taken seriously.

Away from this weekend’s action, Munster coach Gaffney was delighted yesterday that former All-Black ace Christian Cullen has resumed full-contact training.

Although it is likely to be another two weeks before Cullen, makes his debut for the province, the coach is delighted to have another star player back in full training, with his first appearance likely to be against Llanelli.

Meanwhile, Connacht have been forced to make one change for tomorrow’s clash against Celtic Warriors at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

Number eight Matt Lacey has suffered a groin strain and will not be risked. John O’Sullivan comes back into the side with Tom Carter being added to the replacements bench.