A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Teenager North set for Wales debut
TEENAGE POWERHOUSE George North will make his Wales debut tomorrow against world champions South Africa and Lee Byrne returns from injury, the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed yesterday.
Coach Warren Gatland has made four changes to the side beaten by Australia last weekend, one positional, but kept faith with the forwards, with the exception of Martyn Williams, who returns in place of the injured Sam Warburton.
Byrne returns at fullback after recovering from his broken hand and James Hook switches to inside centre but it was the inclusion of uncapped Scarlets wing North in place of Will Harries that was most intriguing.
“We know this is a bold selection but we have always tried to look at the bigger picture and George (North), today, is the bigger picture and at 6ft 4 inches and 16 stone 7lbs, he gives us quite a canvass to work with,” Gatland said.
WALES: L Byrne; G North, T Shanklin, J Hook, S Williams; S Jones, M Phillips; G Jenkins, M Rees (capt), A Jones, B Davies, A-W Jones, D Lydiate, M Williams, J Thomas. Replacements: H Bennett, P James, R Jones, A Powell, R Rees, A Bishop, C Czekaj.
Moore's return for England Test boosts Australia hopes
AUSTRALIA HOOKER Stephen Moore has been passed fit to face England tomorrow in a significant boost for the tourists as they try to avenge their 21-20 defeat last June.
Moore missed his country’s 25-16 win over Wales in Cardiff last weekend when he suffered a back injury in the warm up and coach Robbie Deans cannot wait to get him on the field in front of a packed Twickenham.
“Steve’s a 50 Test-plus player, so he brings with him a wealth of experience,” he said of Moore, who turned in a man-of-the-match performance at Twickenham in 2008 when the visitors triumphed 28-14.
Moore’s recall means Australia will have the same frontrow of Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson as last November when they won 18-9.
AUSTRALIA: K Beale; J O’Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, M Giteau, D Mitchell; Q Cooper, W Genia; B Alexander, S Moore, B Robinson, N Sharpe, M Chisholm, R Elsom (capt), D Pocock, B McCalman. Replacements: H Edmonds, J Slipper, D Mumm, R Brown, L Burgess, B Barnes, L Turner.
IRFU offer match travel options
THE IRFU has organised special bus and train travel options for supporters coming to Dublin for the matches against Samoa tomorrow and Argentina on Sunday fortnight. The free train offers have been fully subscribed to but is still a chance for clubs and schools to receive assistance with bus travel.
If they travel to the match by coach and inform the IRFU in advance, the club will be reimbursed the coach hire cost to the value of €400 and a further €100 in expenses. This offer is still open for this weekend and clubs and schools are being encouraged to contact the IRFU before 5pm today.
The bus offer will also be made available for clubs and schools travelling to the Argentina game. For all queries and to avail of the bus offer, they are being asked to email Maria Boland or call the IRFU offices at 01-6473800.
FLANKER MAURO Bergamasco will miss Italy’s Test against Argentina in Verona tomorrow with a shoulder problem.
O'Callaghan to stay in Ireland
DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN has signed a new international contract that will see him remain in Ireland to play his rugby with Munster for the next three seasons until 2014. He wins his 65th Ireland cap against Samoa tomorrow. O’Callaghan didn’t dwell long before signing:
“As players we are so well looked after by both the national and provincial management teams and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to play the sport I love for both Ireland and Munster.”
Ireland juniors draw Springboks
IRELAND HAVE been drawn in Pool C with South Africa, England and Scotland in next year’s Junior World Cup which takes place in Italy.
The tournament will be hosted in the Veneto region from June 10th-26th. Four venues will be used with Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo, Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso and Stadio Plebiscito in Padova hosting double-header matches across four match days. Stadio Euganeo in Padova will host the Final on match day five on June 26th.
Pool A: New Zealand (2010 champions), Argentina, Wales and Italy.
Pool B: Australia, France, Fiji and Tonga.
Pool C: South Africa, England, IRELAND and Scotland
