Clohessy move on hold

RUGBY: Negotiations for Peter Clohessy's proposed transfer to Toulouse have stalled as the French club ponder their options prior to the deadline for European Cup registration on September 20th.

Toulouse have been alerted to the possible availability of Patrice Collazo at Gloucester, which would provide a longer-term solution to their shortage of top-notch props.

Clohessy had originally indicated an unwillingness to come out of retirement when Toulouse approached him last month with a four-month contract offer, but on further reflection and after discussions with his wife Anna, the 54-times capped Irish prop decided the offer was too attractive to turn down, as much for the experience as its lucrative nature.

His mind made up and all domestic plans arranged for his pub, the Sin Bin in Limerick, talks reopened and the odds seemed in favour of Clohessy and his family relocating to the French club in a week or so.

But, in the interim, Toulouse were alerted to the Collazo option. Although the French prop still has a year of his contract at Kingsholm remaining, apparently there are contractual hitches at Gloucester which could result in him being released. If so, it would be Toulouse's favoured solution.

Another factor in Toulouse's deliberations is the fitness, or otherwise, of tight-head Cedric Soulette. He has been troubled repeatedly by a calf injury for the last couple of seasons but is due to make his seasonal return against Mont de Marsan today.

As things stand, they also have an under-21 French prop in Julian Fionini. However, with Jean-Baptiste Poux troubled by a back injury, which will keep him out for at least another month, and Andreo Lo Cicero back in Italy injured and in a state of high dudgeon, Toulouse's cover for the opening rounds in the Heineken Cup would be far too flimsy were Colazzo not released by next week and Soulette to have any reaction to his calf problem.

In a nutshell, then, the odds on Clohessy joining the best supported club in France have decreased from about 70-30 in favour to the other way round. Ultimately, though, the saga will be resolved next week.

Meanwhile, for the second international in a row, born-again Victor Costello has been added to the Irish squad after Eric Miller was forced to withdraw from next Saturday's World Cup qualifier away to Russia. Miller had failed to prove he had recovered from his bruised ribs by playing for Leinster last night.

The IRFU has also reappointed Matt Williams and Steph Nel as the coaching ticket at "A" level for another season, coincidentally on the day when they went head-to-head in Donnybrook.

A number of appointments to the A and under-19 teams were announced yesterday.

Ireland "A" team: Manager - Joe Miles; Coach - Matt Williams; Assistant coaches - Steph Nell, Mark McCall. Ireland under 19 FIRA World Championship team: Manager - Michael Cunningham; Coach - Pat Murray; Assistant coach - Phil Lawlor; Technical officer - Alan Clarke.

The Connacht Senior League fixtures scheduled for this weekend have been changed, instead bringing forward the second series of matches. Thus, the revised fixtures are: Sunday - Buccaneers v Galwegians, Ericsson Park (3.00); Connemara v Ballina, Monastery Field, Clifden (3.00).