Blue sky thinking from Kidney

A STUDY of the clubs providing Fijian players for this evening’s Guinness Series international against Ireland is an interesting indicator of the challenge Declan Kidney’s side can expect.

Yes there are a number of recognisable names from the likes of Gloucester, Saracens, Clermont Auvergne and Toulon, but for the most part they are drawn from teams well removed from the top flight of the game.

Sadly, once again some clubs have made it difficult for their coaching team of Glen Ella, a member of the famous rugby family that illuminated the game in the late 1970s and early 80s, and former All Black captain Mike Brewer, to put out a side of the strength of that which defeated Wales 38-34 in the last World Cup.