RUGBY DIGEST:On paper at least, the Irish under-20s look strong contenders for the Six Nations and a decent showing at the Junior World Championships in Argentina next June, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
Coach Allen Clarke has seven returning players from last season for tomorrow’s game against Italy at Dubarry Park (kick-off 7.30pm), including captain Rhys Ruddock, while talented recent graduates from Blackrock’s successful schools’ team, Andrew Conway and Brendan Macken, come straight into the backline.
Up front, tighthead prop Jack O’Connell, a former Clongowes schoolboy, UCC lock David O’Callaghan and big-tackling flanker Dominic Ryan provide further experience in the starting XV.
IRELAND UNDER-20S (v Italy, at Dubarry Park, tomorrow night, 7.30pm): A Conway (Blackrock, Leinster); D Hudson (St Mary’s, Leinster), B Macken (Blackrock, Leinster), N Spence (Ballynahinch, Ulster), S Zebo (Cork Constitution, Munster); J McKinney (Queen’s University, Ulster), J Cooney (UCD , Leinster); B Cagney (UCC, Munster), N Annett (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster), J O’Connell (Lansdowne, Leinster); D O’Callaghan (UCC, Munster), B Marshall (UCD, Leinster); R Ruddock (capt, UCD, Leinster), D Ryan (Lansdowne, Leinster), P Butler (Shannon, Munster). Replacements: D Doyle (UCD, Leinster), S Maguire (Old Belvedere, Leinster), B Hayes (Cork Constitution, Munster), R O’Sullivan (Bective Rangers, Leinster), M Heaney (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster), B Kingston (Blackrock, Leinster), E Griffin (Corinthians, Connacht).
IRELAND WOMEN’S TEAM (v Italy, in Ashbourne tomorrow night, 7.30pm): N Briggs (Clonmel, Munster); N Stapleton (Old Belvedere, Leinster), G Davitt (Blackrock, Leinster), S Houston (Blackrock, Leinster), A Miller (Portlaoise, Connacht); J O’Sullivan (Richmond, Exile), T Rosser (Blackrock, Leinster); F Coghlan (UL Bohemians, Leinster), C Fanning (Highfield, Munster), E McManamly (Blackrock, Leinster); K O’Loughlin (Clonmel, Munster), M L Reilly (Navan, Leinster); C Staunton (Galwegians, Connacht), C Molloy (Bristol, Connacht), J Neville (UL Bohemians, Munster). Replacements: G Bourke (UL Bohemians, Munster), L Day (Cooke, Ulster), C Mahon (UL Bohemians, Leinster), L Austin (UL Bohemians, Munster), L Beamish (UL Bohemians, Munster), H Brosnan (Highfield, Munster), E Downey (Cooke, Ulster)
Ulster confirm signing of South African Muller
Ulster have confirmed the signing of South African lock Johann Muller on a two-year contract from July 1st, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
The 29-year-old has captained the Natal Sharks – despite the presence of Springbok captain John Smit – and won the last of his 23 international caps in the third Test of last summer’s Lions series.
Muller has also captained South Africa but has been reduced to fleeting exposure at Test level due to the presence of Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield – widely considered the best secondrow partnership in the world.
“A lot has been spoken about the potential and the youth of this current Ulster squad and we are committed to signing foreign players who, like Johann, have the ability to improve our performances on the pitch but also help develop these young players into Ulster and Ireland stars of the next decade,” said Ulster director of rugby operations David Humphreys.
Muller added: “My family (wife Mariska and daughter Anja) and I are really looking forward to our new life in Ulster, and reuniting with my old friend BJ (Botha) and his family.”
Magners door reopened for Italians
The door has been reopened for the proposed entry of two Italian franchises in next season’s Magners League, writes Gerry Thornley. Representatives of the two nominated franchises, Treviso and Aironi, have generated additional monies to help the FIR (Italian Federation) meet the reputed €3 million per annum which the Magners League board have requested as a warranty for entry.
To that end, the FIR president, Giancarlo Dondi, will meet with the Magners League chairman John Hussey in Dublin tomorrow to outline the Italians’ revised bid. Although a league source admitted that they have maintained dialogue with the Italians with a view to them competing in the league, the odds must still be against them entering at this late juncture.
However, were it to come to pass there could be a significant shift in selection philosophy at the two franchises given their greater financial independence now. Dondi and the FIR had originally floated the idea of the Italians competing in the league on the premise that the franchises would have a maximum of five foreign players. Given Treviso and Aironi would be footing half the bill, it is felt they would ask the FIR for more than five foreign players.
Quade to resume playing career
Australia international Quade Cooper has been allowed to resume playing after undergoing counselling following his arrest for an alleged break-in at the Surfers Paradise resort.
In December, Australia’s rugby governing body ordered the 21-year-old Queensland Reds back to seek therapy before he could be reconsidered for selection after police charged him with burglary earlier in the month. He pleaded not guilty and his case was adjourned until July.
Cooper is widely regarded as one of Australia’s brightest young prospects.