Maggs makes Ulster pledge

KEVIN MAGGS arrived in Ulster yesterday vowing to win back his international place.

Maggs has also promised to make a big impression with the province, whether it be playing or passing on his vast experience to a young side.

"International rugby is all about grabbing the opportunity, and Gordon D'Arcy did that last season," said Maggs, who agreed a two-year contract to move from Bath to Ravenhill while on holidays in Las Vegas.

"But my desire to play for Ireland has never left."

"It is a bit of a gamble. When you come to a new place everybody wants you to do well and is expecting big things. I chose to come to Ireland simply by the way the IRFU are looking after international players, particularly with the 10-week conditioning period at the start of this season.

"It's all about an opportunity really," said Maggs.

"After speaking to Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, I found that the time is right for me and my family to come to Ulster.

"It's a matter of seeing what the next stage of my career is. I'm looking forward to the challenge and meeting a lot of the young guys here.

"Hopefully I can bring my skill and my experience along to the Ulster team which I believe has an exciting future," said Maggs.

Meanwhile, Maurice Field has been appointed as the Elite Player Development Manager for the IRFU Ulster Branch.

The Ulster Branch actively participates in the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland, and the Elite Player Development Manager will deliver the High Performance Plan for Age Group Rugby Football, with the emphasis on the development of young players.

Field will manage the operational side of the programme and will have primary responsibility for the identification, coaching and management of young athletes, while Alan Clarke, recently appointed Assistant Coach of Ulster Rugby, will retain strategic control as the Director of Elite Player Development.

As a former Irish international, Field has an in-depth knowledge of the demands, pressures and needs of elite players, as well as a first-hand knowledge of professional rugby. He will be based at the Sports Institute at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown.

The IWRFU have confirmed that Ireland will host two top national teams for full rugby test matches this autumn.

Japan and Kazakhstan will tour Ireland in November and will play a series of matches, including tests against the Irish national team and matches against provincial teams.

Ireland faced Japan in 2002 in the Women's World Cup in Barcelona where they emerged 23-3 victors.

Internationally, All Black coach Graham Henry has made two changes to the forward pack that overwhelmed Australia last week for Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby test against South Africa in Christchurch.

Greg Somerville replaces Carl Hayman at tight-head prop, while Jerry Collins makes his first test start of the season in place of the injured Jono Gibbes at blindside flanker.

Lock Keith Robinson, who has failed to recover from a back injury, and flanker Richie McCaw, who is still suffering from post-concussion headaches from the June 12 test against England, were ruled out of the clash at Jade Stadium.

In the backs, injury concerns also hover over second five- eighth Daniel Carter, who has been bracketed with Sam Tuitupou. Otherwise the back line from last Saturday's Bledisloe Cup victory in Wellington is unchanged.

NEW ZEALAND: M. Muliaina, D. Howlett, T. Umaga (capt), D. Carter/S. Tuitupou, J. Rokocoko, C. Spencer, J. Marshall, X. Rush, M. Holah, J. Collins, S. Maling, C. Jack, G. Somerville, K. Mealamu, K. Meeuws.

Reserves: N. Evans, S. Tuitupou/A. Mehrtens, B. Kelleher, C. Newby, A. Williams, T. Woodcock, A. Hore.