Maggs replaces injured Bell

BRISTOL centre Kevin Maggs has been drafted into the Ireland A Development squad which leaves for New Zealand and Western Samoa next week. He is the second player this week to have been brought into the squad because of injury. Ballymena number eight Dean Macartney was invited to travel on Tuesday when Terenure's Mark Egan was forced out with a knee injury.

Maggs, whose late grandfather came from Limerick, will join the 32 man squad after Bristol's Courage League relegation play off second leg against Bedford tomorrow. He replaces the Northampton utility back Jonathan Bell, who has been forced out with an arm injury.

"It's a nice surprise," said the 22 year old former builder. "I made coach Brian Ashton aware of my availability, although probably a little too late to he considered for the original tour party. Brian then informed the club I would be on standby and I received the call today. I am absolutely delighted."

Maggs has represented England Colts but is in no doubt he has made the right decision regarding a possible representative career.

"I talked things through with my grandmother, and had my grandfather been alive I know the chance of me pulling on a green jersey would have delighted him. I still have relatives in Ireland so it is good news for them as well as myself."

Bell damaged his arm during Northampton's League run in dealing Ashton's plans a blow; after he selected the party with an important blend of youth and experience.

Ireland, led by London Irish skipper Gary Halpin, fly out next Thursday, their opponents including Bay of Plenty, King Country, the New Zealand Academy and New Zealand Maoris. Before returning home, they also face a noncap international against Western Samoa in Apia.

Meanwhile, London Irish go into their most critical game of the season tomorrow against Coventry, having lost a thrilling first leg Courage League playoff 16-14 at Coundon Road earlier this week. To retain their Division One status London Irish must now defeat Coventry by more than two points at Sunbury.

Halpin believes the side only had themselves to blame in the away leg, having deserted their attacking game in favour of a set piece contest with Coventry's powerful pack.

Our line out calls were poor, and we struggled to get hands on the ball, which meant their forwards had a platform. I expected a tough challenge from the Coventry eight, and that's what happened.

"It was frustrating because we had worked on the word performance all season, and showed through Niall Woods's superb try what exciting, attacking rugby this team can produce," he said yesterday.

Now, everything boils down to this one match. Coventry have the psychological edge, but I know that we are just a penalty or a try away from preserving our first division status."

Recent Sunbury scalps include European qualifiers Harlequins and Leicester, yet Coventry are in confident mood as they plot a first division return nine seasons after leaving the top flight. A defeat for London Irish would send the club into the relative obscurity of division two and most likely precipitate a move by their top players to other Courage League clubs.