Leinster line up Saints and Rebels friendlies

THE MELBOURNE Rebels and Northampton Saints have been lined up for two friendly Friday evening matches against Leinster in August prior to the beginning of the Celtic League now called RaboDirect PRO12.

The Super 15 team will play on Friday, August 19th, in Donnybrook, with Northampton, the team Leinster beat in Cardiff this year to win their second Heineken Cup trophy, arriving a week later.

The Australian team have a number of internationals, including Wallabies centre Stirling Mortlock and scrumhalf Sam Cordingley, as well as England “bad boy” Danny Cipriani, although, the World Cup will exclude the participation of many of the international figures.

The Rebels, who came into the Super 15 franchise in 2010, are currently bottom of the Super 15 league, having won just three of their 15 matches so far.

“These two high-profile games against top-class opposition will be very challenging, which is ideal leading into the PRO12 campaign,” said Leinster coach Joe Schmidt. “Melbourne is a new franchise with high ambitions and boasts a strong array of young and experienced talent.

“We know all about Northampton’s many qualities from their performances both in their domestic league and in Europe. Both sides will provide us with a real test as we look to integrate some of our new signings into the panel ahead of the start of the PRO12.”

Leinster, despite the difficult economic climate, are also close to selling out their season tickets for the 2011-12 campaign. Over 13,000 tickets have been sold for the 18,200 capacity RDS, with just a few hundred remaining. Leinster have to reserve 15 per cent of the tickets for away teams. Prices range from €239 to €850, depending on the package, with the cost per match working out at around €14 per game.

Next season’s package covers 17 matches in the PRO12 , Heineken Cup and British and Irish Cup but not the two pre-season friendly games in August, which are in Donnybrook, not the RDS.

Both the friendlies will hope to benefit from the international Test matches taking place in Dublin on each of the following days. As part of their World Cup preparations, Declan Kidney’s side face France on Saturday the 20th in the Aviva Stadium and England on Saturday the 27th, also in the Aviva.

The game against England is the final match prior to the Irish squad flying out to New Zealand, where they face the Eddie O’Sullivan-coached USA in their first Pool game in Yarrow Stadium on Sunday, September 11th.

With the attraction of Heineken Cup rugby, Connacht have been selling season tickets for €200, an offer that ends today. The ticket guarantees entry to all 11 home Pro12 games (including Leinster, Munster and Ulster), three home games in the Heineken Cup against Toulouse, Gloucester and Harlequins and Connacht’s preseason friendly against the Exeter Chiefs.

Sales are said to be encouraging and have reached 1,500 for the 5,000 capacity Sportsground. Connacht flanker Ray Ofisa has also been called up to the Samoan national team, which is preparing for the World Cup.

The 31-year-old openside is uncapped and also Irish qualified. He will join his brother and former Connacht player Ofisa Trevaranius and Ezra Taylor in the squad.

Connacht are also reported to be in talks with former rugby league star Henry Fa’amili. The 31-year-old from Leeds Rhinos changed codes in 2007 and can play in the centre or on the wing. Connacht had been in talks with All Black centre Benson Stanley but he opted to remain in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, The Ospreys yesterday confirmed they have reached agreement with Wales and Lions scrumhalf Mike Phillips regarding his early release from the club.

Phillips was contracted with the Ospreys until the end of the 2013/14 season, but following this agreement, he is free to join French Top 14 club Bayonne.

Phillips spent four years at the Liberty Stadium, during which time he made 60 appearances and scored five tries. The move is not a surprise and follows several high-profile moves away from the club, including Lee Byrne and James Hook, who are both heading to France; Hook going to Perpignan and Byrne to Clermont Auvergne.

“I have had a great time at the Ospreys and am grateful for their assistance in developing my career. They are a region with a great squad of players and great supporters, and I wish the region all the best for the coming seasons,” said Phillips.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES

Friday, August 19th: Leinster v Melbourne Rebels, Donnybrook, 7pm.

Friday, August 26th: Leinster v Northampton, Donnybrook, 7pm.