NEWS ROUND-UP:ALL EXCEPT the Leicester-based Geordan Murphy of the Ireland team that kicked off against England on Saturday will convene in Carton House in Maynooth tomorrow for a two-day get-together. The rest of the squad have returned to their provinces, and have been released to play in the Magners League this weekend.
Barring injury in the meantime, it is expected all 22 of the Irish players on duty at Twickenham will be fit for what is likely to be an unchanged line-up against Wales at Croke Park on Saturday week.
Jamie Heaslip suffered a calf strain against England, but it did not prevent him from completing the 80 minutes and he is expected to be fine.
Brian O’Driscoll will undergo a psychometric test prior to resuming training tomorrow. Each player undergoes a psychometric test in pre-season to be used as a reference point at any stage in the season after a blow such as the one O’Driscoll took last Saturday. Provided there is no deterioration in his psychometric testing the Irish captain will be passed fit from a neurological standpoint to resume training, and an IRFU spokesperson commented yesterday: “It’s important to stress that we don’t really have any concerns about him.”
Meanwhile, the Welsh training squad has been reduced to 32 after Blues pair Deiniol Jones and Gareth Williams withdrew yesterday through injury.
Jones sustained a rib injury in the defeat to France at the Millennium Stadium last Friday night while Williams has been unavailable since picking up a knee problem against Scotland over a fortnight ago.
Warren Gatland and his coaches will also release a further 14 players back to their respective regions tomorrow, making them available for selection for this weekend.
Ulster’s Andrew Trimble will be released to face the Scarlets, who will have hookers Matthew Rees and Ken Owens and centre Jonathan Davies for the game at Parc y Scarlets on Friday night.
Tony Buckley and Ronan O’Gara will be free to play for Munster at Rodney Parade on Saturday against the Dragons, who will welcome back lock Luke Charteris and flanker Dan Lydiate. Leo Cullen, Shane Jennings and Eoin Reddan will be in the mix for Leinster on Sunday away to Cardiff, for whom flanker Sam Warburton and backs Tom Shanklin and Tom James will be available for the Blues.
Seán Cronin will be available for Connacht’s game at home to the Warriors on Friday night.
After consultation with their broadcast partners BBC Wales, S4C and Setanta, Celtic Rugby have confirmed the dates and kick-off times for rounds 15 and 16 of the Magners League in April.
Speaking of the scheduling, director of Celtic Rugby David Jordan said: “As we draw towards the culmination of the league stage of the 2009/10 tournament, the introduction of the play-offs mean that there will be more meaningful games than ever before and each team will want to field their strongest possible side to challenge for a place in the top four.
“We are also mindful of giving our teams the best opportunity to progress in other tournaments, and as such consider the fixtures we have agreed as the best solution for all concerned.”
