O'Shea to leave Irish for post with RFU

Former Ireland international full back Conor O'Shea is to leave his position as managing director at London Irish to take up a position with the English Rugby Football Union (RFU). London Irish Holdings has announced that O'Shea is leaving to become director of regional academies with the RFU in the spring.

The former Leinster and London Irish player has spent the last 10 years with the latter club, serving as player, club captain, director of rugby and managing director.

In a statement, O'Shea said: "At London Irish I have been privileged to be part of a truly special 'family'. The club has been my 'home from home' since I came to this country from Ireland in 1995. Leaving this unique club will be quite a wrench after the 10 years I've had.

"I believe I am leaving the club in much better shape than when I arrived at the end of the amateur era. London Irish now plays a major role in rugby in this country and in Europe, and I'm sure it will continue to do so. I will take a special interest in its progress.

"My new position at the RFU is in itself a one-off opportunity. It will enable me to contribute to the development of the game at the elite level in this country. I am very excited about the challenge," the statement concluded.

O'Shea joined London Irish in 1995, played 127 matches and scored 62 tries and 412 points. He won the Players' Player of the Year in 1999, and in 2002, when London Irish won the English Cup, their first trophy in senior rugby, was voted the Premiership's top director of rugby.

He was appointed managing director in January 2003 and saw the club record its first trading profit last season.

Meanwhile, Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy is set to return to action after being named among Leinster's replacements for tomorrow evening's Celtic League game against Cardiff at the Arms Park. D'Arcy has been out of commission with a groin injury sustained in the European Cup match against Bath at Lansdowne Road in October.

Although coach Declan Kidney hasn't confirmed his bench yet, D'Arcy is one of only three backs named along with Brian O'Meara and David Holwell and should get some game time. There are seven changes to the side that beat Bourgoin at Stade Pierre Rajon last weekend as Kidney opts to rest several of his first-team players.

The three-quarter line is completely revamped, with John McWeeney and Gary Brown named on the wings and Kieran Lewis partnering David Quinlan in the centre. Felipe Contepomi switches from centre to outhalf.

Ricky Nebbett comes into the front row, Ben Gissing starts alongside Malcolm O'Kelly in the second row while Aidan McCullen is included at blindside flanker, with Eric Miller moving to number eight.

There is a fitness doubt concerning Emmett Byrne, named among the replacements, so Peter Coyle is likely to travel to Cardiff.

Munster have named a 26-man squad ahead of tomorrow's Celtic League game against the Neath/Swansea Ospreys at Musgrave Park. Coach Alan Gaffney has included 19 of the 22 players who togged out the last day in the province's European Cup victory over Castres at Thomond Park.

Utility back Mossy Lawler, scrumhalf Mike Prendergast and hooker James Blaney all drop out from last weekend's panel and are replaced by Paul Devlin, Eoin Reddan and a fit again Jerry Flannery. The only players not considered are David Wallace (sore neck) and John Kelly (bruised foot). The team is likely to be confirmed today.

Their opponents have announced a strong team to travel to Cork, with five changes from last week's victory over Harlequins. That the two sides will clash when the European competition resumes after Christmas and the certain amount of spice left over from their last meeting in that competition should guarantee a competitive outing.

Right wing Stefan Terblanche misses the game with a shoulder injury and is replaced by Elvis Seveali'i, the only alteration to the backline. Up front, there is a complete change in the front row with Paul James, Richard Hibbard and Adam Jones named. Hibbard will be making his competitive debut for the Ospreys.

Barry Williams misses out with a rib injury, while the current Welsh hooker Mefin Davies has left to join Gloucester. James Bater comes into the back row.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; J McWeeney, K Lewis, D Quinlan, G Brown; F Contepomi, G Easterby; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, R Nebbett; M O'Kelly, B Gissing; A McCullen, E Miller, S Jennings. Replacements (from): P Coyle, E Byrne, J Lyne, G Hickie, C Potts, V Costello, B O'Meara, D Holwell, G D'Arcy.

MUNSTER (from): P Burke, T Bowman, C Cullen, P Devlin, J Flannery, A Foley, J Hayes, M Horan, R Henderson, A Horgan, T Hogan, S Keogh, D Leamy, G McIlwham, M Mullins, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, R O'Gara, S Payne, A Quinlan, E Reddan, F Roche, F Sheahan, P Stringer, J Storey, J Williams.

NEATH/SWANSEA OSPREYS: A Durston; E Seveali'i, S Parker, G Henson, S Williams; M Jones, J Spice; P James, R Hibbard, A Jones; A Newman, J Thomas; J Bater, R Jones, S Tandy.