Dawson to return in March

Kieron Dawson hopes to be back playing by March 14th at the latest, 10 days before Ireland face England at Lansdowne Road in the fourth round of matches in the Six Nations Championship. The London Irish flanker has made a remarkable recovery following an operation to correct a disc injury in his neck.

"I think I have surprised everybody, including myself. The specialist is very happy with the way the operation went and gave a date of March 14th for a return to competitive action.

"That is the latest possible date for me to return, and the way things are going at the moment it should be sooner. I did absolutely nothing for a week after the operation, but since then have been gradually introducing more and more fitness work."

Ireland coach Warren Gatland will be pleased by the news and Dawson will be afforded a chance to reclaim his place on the national team.

On the club scene, the All-Ireland League clubs remain unable to agree on whether to start next season's campaign in September or December. A brief IRFU statement last night confirmed that at a meeting of the AIB clubs' working party, "a cordial and frank discussion took place and no final decisions were taken on the question of an early/late start in the first division next season".

Italy's Six Nations campaign has received a massive boost with the news that outhalf Diego Dominguez is to come out of international retirement. The 34year-old Argentinean-born star retired from the international scene following a difference of opinion with the Italian federation over publicity rights. Ireland will have to perform above expectation if they are to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup Sevens in Argentina this weekend. The players will also have to get used to a Southern Hemisphere summer, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees. However, some games will go on until midnight, offering respite from the sun.

Ireland, seeded last, could not have asked for a harder introduction than a match against top seeds Fiji. They also face Argentina, Korea, Russia and Kenya.

Any plans by England and France to shift the timing of the 2007 World Cup to boost their hopes of winning appear to have little chance of success.

The two countries were the only ones to show an interest in hosting the 2007 tournament but were reportedly planning to move it from the fixed date of October-November to June-July. Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill insists Southern Hemisphere powers would be reluctant to agree to a change.