Dragons send SOS for Chapman
Chapman could now go straight in for the Dragons’ Heineken Cup-tie against Munster at Rodney Parade next Saturday (KO 1 pm) following the loss of leading try scorer Gareth Wyatt for two months.
Star winger, Wyatt, was stretchered off the field with a dislocated shoulder just before half time in Dragons’ Powergen Cup clash against Worcester Warriors last weekend.
He has scored six tries this season and is the leading try scorer of all the teams in the Heineken Cup, Wyatt will have another X-ray today to determine whether there is a break in addition to the dislocation.
The loss of Wyatt is sure to dent their attacking potential. Kevin Morgan, Hal Luscombe and Nathan Brew are all on the Dragons’ injured list. However Morgan and Luscombe are set to return for the Thomond Park return leg on Saturday week, which leaves the Dragons very short of wingers.
Chapman should slot into Wyatt’s right-wing position though coach Paul Turner bemoaned the loss of Wyatt. “It’s a massive blow to lose Gareth and, with the injuries we already have, we are now without a right wing.
“As well as his try scoring, Gareth’s all-round play this season has been excellent. He has been solid in defence and provided a kicking option that often got us out of trouble.”
Munster flanker David Wallace looked in severe distress as he was helped off during the loss to Ulster, but a spokesman for the side said last night that Wallace should be given the all clear for Munster’s second away Heineken Cup game.
“David received a gash to the thigh but we’re optimistic that he should be fit for the Dragons game on Saturday. Again we won’t know for sure until he trains fully with the squad during the week but medical reports so far reveal that he should be okay.”
Munster are already without long term absentees Paul O’Connell, Frankie Sheahan and Alan Quinlan, but it is hoped that, along with Wallace, both John Kelly (nose) and Shaun Payne (‘flu) will recover in time to be considered for The Dragons game.
The signs are that coach Declan Kidney will play Shaun Payne at fullback, restore John Kelly to the wing and Marcus Horan to the front row. Last weekend Jeremy Manning started in Payne’s absence, Anton Pitout was on the wing while Frank Roche started instead of Horan with the latter sitting out some of the game following a physically demanding international Autumn Series.
The return to representative rugby of Mossy Lawlor was one of the positives from a night when Munster made a host of basic errors that saw them lose their unbeaten 18 match home record.
Munster begin their preparation with an afternoon training session in Limerick today and the good news for supporters is that All Black great Christian Cullen is recovering satisfactorily from his shoulder injury and is expected return to full action in early February.
Saturday’s match kicks off early because of the television scheduling and is heading for a Rodney Parade sell-out. Over 6,500 tickets have been sold
Leinster, meanwhile, are sweating over the fitness of hooker Bernard Jackman and flanker Keith Gleeson for their Heineken Cup clash with Bourgoin at the RDS on Saturday.
Jackman hurt his knee against Connacht at the weekend while Gleeson was substituted with a rib injury. If Jackman fails to recover in time David Blaney would come into the squad while Gleeson’s position could go to Niall Ronan. Malcolm O’Kelly should be fit after being concussed during Ireland’s clash with Australia.
Brian O’Driscoll is partaking in “controlled contact training” and is reported to be keen to make a comeback as soon as possible but is unlikely to play this weekend.
Cheika said: “Brian did have a lot of involvement off the field but, thankfully that involvement is now coming on the field and it will be great to have him back sometime this month.
“From a leadership point of view and playing quality, he will give us the depth we need.”
Up to 9,500 tickets have already been sold for this Pool Five tie and those still wishing to see the game can purchase tickets at Spar in Donnybrook, Leinster Rugby Store, Elvery’s on Suffolk Street, Leinster headquarters at Donnybrook or on the website leinsterrugby.ie.
Finally, Kieran Campbell is set to be given the all clear for Ulster’s clash with Saracens at Ravenhill on Friday.
“His hand is severely bruised but there is nothing broken,” according to a team spokesman, “while Justin Fitzpatrick who missed the match against Munster will possibly return for the Sarries game. Apart from these two, everyone else is fine.”
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