Provinces scramble to get matches played

MAGNERS LEAGUE:A CURIOSITY of the Magners League fixture list is that this weekend all four Irish provinces are scheduled to be at home, with just one match in Scotland and none at all in Wales. But, following the cancellation of Connacht's game against Leinster last Saturday, the big chill is jeopardising the chances of any game taking place.

Three are scheduled for Friday night: Leinster and the Glasgow Warriors at the RDS (8.0), Ulster versus the Ospreys at Ravenhill (7.05) and Connacht against the Dragons at the Sportsground (6.30). And on Sunday Munster are to take on the Scarlets at Musgrave Park (5.0).

As things stand, the Ulster game looks “very, very doubtful”, according to a branch spokesperson, and indeed it could be postponed as early as this morning following a pitch inspection.

Ravenhill has been frozen since last Saturday, and, though currently under cover, the local forecast is for no break in the freezing weather before January 18th, which also casts a cloud over their Heineken Cup game at home to Edinburgh on Friday week.

As with the Connacht-Leinster game, were it postponed the likelihood is that the Ulster-Ospreys match will be rescheduled for a Six Nations’ weekend, perhaps even on a Thursday beforehand.

Although the overnight frost was not as bad in the Galway area, and the covered Sportsground pitch had improved overnight with the aid of hot air on the surface, the Connacht-Dragons game also remains in doubt.

“We’re trying a new system and we’ll have a better idea tomorrow,” said Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly last night, “but it’s touch and go.”

The prospect of having to rearrange two home games, perhaps on Six Nations weekends, is far from ideal.

Nor is having two idle weekends prior to their crunch Challenge Cup game against Montpellier on Friday week.

Kelly has asked the Dragons about rearranging the game for Saturday lunchtime, and the Welsh region are looking into revising their travel plans, but they are scheduled to fly from Luton on Thursday and return on Saturday at 8.30am.

Their return journey could prove more difficult to reschedule, and, with heavy snow forecast in England, the Dragons could have additional complications in travelling by coach from Newport to Luton.

Referee Eddie Walsh will oversee a pitch inspection today prior to further communication between the clubs.

Leinster, similarly, also face the possibility of having been idle for two weeks before resuming the defence of their Heineken Cup crown, and of having to rearrange two league games.

Chief executive Mick Dawson said: “We’re determined to get this match on next Friday night and we’re making every effort at taking all the best advice to get it on. You just don’t want a backlog of matches.

“The STRI – the agronomists who put in the pitch at the RDS – are looking after the pitch. If the match had to be played today we’re told it could be played. A very heavy tarpaulin cover is going on the pitch for tonight.

“We’ve explored the possibility of getting blowers under tents, but apparently every Premiership soccer and rugby club in England has taken them all up so they’re very difficult to acquire.”

Friday’s forecast in Dublin is to be clear and sunny, but with the temperature only getting up to two or three degrees.

As for spectator safety, Leinster employ Eamonn O’Boyle and Associates, chartered fire and safety engineers and event safety consultants, and they also have gritting on standby at the RDS, if needs be.

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald remained “reasonably confident” their game will go ahead on Sunday.

“The pitch is going to be covered tomorrow and will be inspected on Friday at lunchtime in the presence of a referee, and again on Saturday at match time. We have Thomond Park on standby as well and we have spoken to Llanelli and they are aware of the situation.”

Fitzgerald admitted that there are many issues aside from the state of the pitch, due to the temperatures outside the ground, as well as terracing and access to Musgrave Park.

“We have a grit mix of salt and sand ordered and prepared for match day, and we’re in constant contact with the Celtic League board and with the local authorities and gardaí.”

Fitzgerald admitted everything depends on the vagaries of the weather, but added: “Looking at the forecast, having the extra day may be in our favour.”

Leinster and Munster will consider changing kick-off times to reduce the risk of the pitches refreezing in the very low temperatures.

“There’s obviously an issue with the broadcasters, but it’s definitely for consideration if we’d be way better off playing it at 2.30pm rather than 5pm,” said Fitzgerald.

Meanwhile, Dawson said: “We’re going to ask the Celtic League if we can move the game forward to 6pm on Friday evening if that gives us a better chance of playing it.”

When asked if a Saturday lunchtime kick-off might also be considered, he said: “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

With the wintry weather set to play havoc with English sport this week, Sale Sharks have already moved their Friday night game against Saracens in the Premiership to Saturday at 1.05pm, while Sky Sports have agreed to a switch in the Leicester-Wasps game from 5.30pm to 3.15pm on Saturday.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named an extended, 28-man squad for their match against Ospreys.

ULSTER SQUAD(v Ospreys) – Forwards: D Fitzpatrick, B Young, BJ Botha, N Brady, A Kyriacou, E ODonoghue, D Tuohy, R Caldwell, C Henry, T Court, S Ferris, W Faloon, TJ Anderson, N McComb, D Pollock. Backs: J Smith, C Schifcofske, S Danielli, D Cave, I Whitten, T Nagusa, I Humphreys, N O'Connor, I Boss, P Wallace, A Trimble, C Willis, J Shiells.