CORK CONSTITUTION have left a vacancy in the second row for their match against Instonians in the All-Ireland League at Temple Hill on Saturday. The vacancy is left pending a ruling from the IRFU on the eligibility of Connacht forward Graham Heaslip.

Heaslip, an army officer, is a registered Galwegians player. While his unit headquarters are in Fermoy, he is in his final year of study at UCG and consequently is based primarily in Galway. In those circumstances, Galwegians may have prior claims.

However, Constitution will have the services of another former player. Aaron Verling, who was with London Irish in recent seasons and played for the Exiles in the Interprovincial Championship, has re-joined the club. He has got clearance from London Irish.

Constitution welcome back former Ireland full-back Kenny Murphy. He missed most of last season, but returned to the game some weeks ago. He is named on the wing. Constitution also include former Ireland prop Paul McCarthy. He had been due to join Bristol last week, but appears to have had a change of mind on that issue.

Shannon, the league champions, have still not resolved the contractual difficulties that have arisen with Saracens in connection with the release of international flanker Eddie Halvey.

Halvey went to Saracens last season, and returned to Shannon this season. However, he has not been released by Saracens who, I understand, are seeking compensation before they will permit Halvey's registration with Shannon.

. With reference to the report yesterday on the composition of the Oxford University side to meet Cambridge in the Varsity match next Tuesday, there are in fact four Irish players in the Oxford team and not three as stated. The left wing on the side is Ronan Browne, the former St Michael's and Trinity College player.