Ging prepares for final game with Leinster

RUGBY ROUND-UP: The Leinster provincial team management committee meeting which had been scheduled for tonight has been deferred until after tomorrow night's Celtic League match against the Gwent Dragons at Lansdowne Road as a mark of respect to the late Mick Doyle and to facilitate those who wish to attend his removal.

Meanwhile, Leinster team manager Ken Ging will retire after tomorrow night's game against the Dragons. Ging (66), is undergoing rehabilitation following recent spinal surgery, which is a factor in his decision to retire.

There is a curious symmetry to tomorrow night's game in that it will also mark former Leinster coach Mike Ruddock's last game in charge at Gwent before he takes over as the Welsh national coach. Ging began his managerial career with Leinster when Ruddock was coach.

Ging was hooker on the 1967 Munster team that beat Australia 11-8, the first province to beat an overseas touring side. In his playing career, he represented Munster and a Rest of Ireland XV and got an Irish Final Trial.

He started his career with Monkstown (1954) and joined Greystones the following year, moved to Lansdowne (1962), Sunday's Well (1966), St Mary's College (1969) and finally returned to his spiritual home of Greystones (1972), for whom he has served as captain, coach, chairman and president.

With Leinster, Ging was chairman of the senior selectors and previously chairman of the under-20 selectors.

Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson said: "Ken had intimated that this would be his last season as manager, and his recent ill health has copper-fastened his decision. 'Ging-er' has been Leinster manager for five years and officiated at over 100 matches.

"More importantly, he has managed the team effectively and all the players, coaches and backroom team have benefited enormously from his tutelage and experience. Never short of well chosen words and humorous stories, Ken has also been responsible for the overall development of some of our players and they particularly appreciate that."

IRELAND U-21 SQUAD (to play Scotland U-21 prior to the Scotland v Barbarians game on Saturday, May 22nd at Murrayfield) - Forwards: Declan Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins), Denis Fogarty (Cork Constitution), David Gannon (Blackrock College), Conor Geoghegan (UCD), Jamie Heaslip (DU), Oisín Hennessy (Dungannon), Neil McComb (Dundee HSFP), David O'Brien (Old Belvedere), Brendan O'Connor (Cork Constitution), Shane O'Connor (Cork Constitution), John Wickham (Clontarf), Keith Doyle (UCD).

Backs: Tommy Bowe (QUB), Andrew Finn (Dolphin), Michael Glancy (Loughborough University), John Hearty (Blackrock College), Richard Lane (UCC), Breffne O'Donnell (UL Bohemians), Tomás O'Leary (Cork Constitution), Robbie Shaw (London Wasps), Gareth Steenson (QUB), Glen Telford (Dungannon). Manager: David Haslett. Head Coach: Mark McDermott. Assistant. Coach: Pat Murray.