IRISH international players are now scattered across the length and breadth of the English club scene after a frantic summer of signings. Even so, most Irish selectors will be descending on Sunbury on the opening weekend of the Courage League to watch London Irish versus Bristol.
The home club field three of their four international summer acquisitions. Victor Costello comes in at number eight and the former Blackrock star Niall Woods goes straight in on the right wing. Jeremy Davidson is in a restructured second row along with the highly promising Malcolm O'Kelly, who last season was at St Mary's with Costello.
The inclusion of Nigel Richardson at openside flanker adds to the extensive changes among the forwards made by coach Clive Woodward, after the realisation that the pack would not be strong enough to survive in the top flight as it was. The only omission from what otherwise would be a first choice London Irish side is the injured Gabriel Fulcher.
Paul Burke was widely expected to rejoin his former club after indicating that he was going to leave Cork Constitution. Instead he opted for Bristol, along with David Corkery. With a touch of irony when the fixtures were announced, it meant that the first battle for the Irish out half position, between Burke and London Irish's David Humphreys, would be fought out on English soil. Welsh scrum half Robert Jones will also have his first match for the West Country side after signing a two year contract.
Across the city, the Wallaces, Paul and Richard, and Paddy Johns joined Saracens as part of the £2.5 million spending spree by club patron Nigel Wray. The pair join living legends Michael Lynagh and Philippe Sella, as well as former England scrum half Kyran Bracken, in a new look team that faces Leicester.
The Tigers, after finishing as the runner's up last year behind Bath, carry the mantle of favourites this year, now guided by the former the Australian coach Bob Dwyer.
Tee champions themselves travel north to Orrell with a squad that is missing the inured England internationals Phil De Glanville and Jon Sleightholme but includes the rugby league signing Henry Paul. Harlequins play host to Gloucester with ex Garryowen hooker, Keith Wood starting straight away for Will Carling's club who, for this match anyway, will retain his services in the centre rather than the much heralded move to out half.
An eye will also be kept on the progress of the prolific Michael Corcoran. A more than useful winger as well as arguably one of the best kickers in the country, Corcoran decided to move from London Irish after a few words with his old friend Jim Staples.
