Ulster bid to continue their roll by recruiting heavily

The list of contracted provincial players released by the IRFU yesterday (all but complete now) shows that Ulster - buoyed financially by their European Cup success last season - have recruited more heavily than their provincial rivals. Ulster coach Harry Williams has more internationally contracted players - eight - than any other provincial coach. By comparison, Leinster have only four, and compounding Mike Ruddock's woes in missing out on Dion O'Cuinneagain and Eric Miller. Nor have Leinster been able to secure the services of former All Black out-half Simon Culhane, apparently on medical grounds.

Paddy Johns, of course, is the latest prodigal son of Ulster to return home and Williams has further strengthened his hand by acquiring the Dromore-born Irish under-21 prop Simon Best from Newcastle; the twice-capped out-half Niall Malone (following his sojourn to Leicester and Worcester) and winger Tyrone Howe.

In addition, Ulster have signed two overseas players in one-time English under-21 winger Spencer Bromley, who like Malone will play under Brian Robinson at Belfast Harlequins (amalgamated from Collegians and North), and the South African-born, dreadlocked centre Riaz Fredericks, who played most of his rugby with Australia and then Hong Kong.

Ulster have just one of their 24 full-time contracts to resolve, and are looking for a tight-head. Those to have missed out on a full-time contract from last season are Michael Patton, Rab Irwin, Stanley McDowell, Gary Leslie and Andy Park; the now-retired Mark McCall will be one of Williams' assistant coaches.

Ulster, who kick off their inter-provincial campaign away to Connacht next Saturday, will play a full-strength Glasgow side in four periods of 20 minutes today in Wigdon Rugby Club, just outside Stranraer.

Williams intends to use the game to give Miller his first run-out after an operation on the troublesome ankle injury which ruled him out of last season's run-in and the Australian tour.

Also today, Connacht play a composite selection in Athlone; while tomorrow Munster will follow Leinster's path to Dunvant in Wales. For years Leinster have been seeking to plug their problem positions of out-half and open-side flanker from foreign fields, hence the long-running persuit of first Earl Va'a and latterly, Culhane. The six-times capped New Zealander would have given their inexperienced if talented backs some badly-needed leadership - as well as proven goalkicking.

Culhane was reportedly flown over to Dublin with his wife for close-season negotiations, but it seems medical reasons ruled him out.

There has, nevertheless, been a sizeable turnover in contracts within the province. Eleven players, thus far at any rate, have either missed out this season or declined to take up full-time contracts.

The list is: Ciaran Clarke (retired), Kevin Nowlan, Gareth Gannon, Alan McGowan, Fergal Campion, Tim Mannix, last season's captain Gabriel Fulcher (apparently, of his own choosing), Pat Holden, Rory Sheriff, Pat Ward, and Brian Carey. The unfortunate Carey, only 24, has succumbed to persistent knee trouble.

Leinster's newcomers are Brian Cusack, Barry Everitt, the sixtimes capped former All Black scrum-half Stu Forster, Gary Halpin and Malcolm O'Kelly. As regards the open-side dilemma, a pointer here is that Liam Toland has been contracted, while others to be upgraded are Leo Cullen, Shane Horgan (sidelined for a month), Brian O'Driscoll, Ciaran Scally, Robert Casey and Peter Smyth.

Trevor Brennan has been spoken of as a possible new captain, and it was interesting to note that Gary Halpin took on that role in Wales this week.

Munster, the defending interprovincial champions, seem the least unsettled. Here the biggest talking point may be Eddie Halvey's decision, like Des Clohessy's, to decline an interpro contract, and other full-time contracted players of a year ago not listed thus far are Shane Leahy, Mick Lynch, Rhys Ellison and Stephen McIvor, who has joined Connacht.

Aside from new Kiwi recruits John Langford and Mike Mullins, others to be given contracts or upgraded are the Midleton out-half Jason Holland, Cian Mahony, John Kelly and Mick O'Driscoll.

There's been a sizeable turnover in Connacht as well, where Junior Charlie, Owen Cobbe, Mick Finlay, Graham Heaslip, Shane McEnbtee, Alan Reddan, Willie Ruane and Russell Southam have, at this juncture anyhow, not been retained from last year on a fulltime basis.

A strong Kiwi presence has been buttressed by the arrival of hooker Shane McDonald, and the return of lock Mark McConnell, who is listed as one of their overseas players along with Martyn Steffert. Former English under-21 international Gavin Webster has joined from Rotherham.

Aside from McIvor, Cobnor Kilroy is another Munster recruit, as is the reputedly very useful Longford-born centre Mel Deane from Richmond (now one of a dozen full-time players at Buccaneers).