Injury-prone Flutey won’t be figuring in Munster plans

JEAN de VILLIERS may be coming to the end of his Munster stint, but he won’t be replaced in the province’s back line by England’s Riki Flutey.

Munster made enquiries about the Brive centre as they began the search to replace Springbok de Villiers but interest has cooled as Flutey’s continuing shoulder injury troubles persisted.

The French club confirmed last night that Flutey will leave for London Wasps at the end of the season having played just five times for Brive, and with another year left on his contract.

“The club, the player and his agent have agreed to an early departure,” a Brive spokesman said. “Brive accepts the financial terms of the transfer,” he added.

The New Zealander’s time in France has been a disappointment for all concerned. After returning to England for an operation on his injured shoulder – against the advice of his French doctors – Flutey recovered in time to play four games for England during the Six Nations. Unfortunately he returned to Brive injured again, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of those who paid his salary. Flutey has been back in London for two weeks already and will undergo surgery on his shoulder for a second time.

Meanwhile, England official Dave Pearson will handle Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Biarritz while Nigel Owens of Wales has been appointed as referee to Leinster’s semi in Toulouse.

Wayne Barnes (England) will referee Connacht’s Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against Toulon at the Sportsground on Friday, April 30, with Romain Poite (France) in charge of the other semi between Wasps and Cardiff at Adams Park the following day.

Meanwhile, the AIB League Division 2 and 3 finals, due to take place in Anglesea Road on Friday May 7, have been rescheduled for the following day at the same venue following discussion with the clubs involved.

The Division 3 final between Queens and Nenagh Ormond will kick off at 12 noon while the Division 2 decider between Lansdowne and Bruff is timed for 2pm. The Division 1 final between Cork Constitution and St. Mary’s College will kick off at 4pm in Athlone on Saturday May 8.

Heineken Cup semi-finals:

May 1: Toulouse v Leinster, Le Stadium, Toulouse, 3.45pm (N Owens, Wales)

May 2: Biarritz v Munster, Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian, 3.15pm (D Pearson, England)

Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals:

Friday, April 30: Connacht v Toulon, Sportsground, Galway, 7.45 (W Barnes, England)

May 1st: Wasps v Cardiff, Adams Park, 6pm (R Poite, France)