O'Brien in for Lenihan

Brian O'Brien, the current Munster team manager, has been appointed as the new Irish team manager in succession to Donal Lenihan until the completion of the 2000-2001 season. O'Brien will have the same remit and part-time role that Lenihan had.

There is a neat twist to the in that O'Brien takes over as manager from a man whom O'Brien picked (as one of then Big Five Irish selectors) when Lenihan made his debut in 1981 in a side which went on to win the Triple Crown that season.

O'Brien is a former Irish international centre and Shannon's first capped player, when he made his debut against France in the 1967-68 season. He went on to play against England and Scotland that season.

He has been involved as a player, coach, manager and club president at Shannon, dating back to 1955.

He's also been a selector with Munster, Ireland and the Lions, and managed the Irish under-21s in the early 1990s.

Success has continued to follow him around of late, as he was manager of Shannon's four-in-a-row all-conquering AIL side, and of course this season managed the Munster team which were unbeaten in the interprovincials has broken new ground by reaching the European Cup semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the officials for the European Cup semi-finals have been announced. Scotland's Jim Fleming has been chosen to referee the Toulouse-Munster semi-final in Bordeaux on Saturday week.

The next day Alan Lewis will take charge of the Northampton-Llanelli semi-final.

Four Nations Youth Tournament: Ireland finished the tournament on a low note when they were over-run 225 by a strong England side at Lansdowne Road yesterday. England, 15-0 up at half-time, ran in four tries to Ireland's one.

Ireland snatched their consolation try six minutes from the end when, from an English lineout, Irish lock David Kelly received and tapped down to replacement hooker Alan Boyd, who drove over in the corner.