England decision due today

The fate of the Six Nations Championship match between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road, scheduled for Saturday, March 24th, will be decided today when the IRFU release a statement following further consultations with the Department of Agriculture.

The two met yesterday but nothing was decided and instead the outcome of the discussions will be made public later today. The IRFU confirmed in a short release to the media yesterday that no decision had been taken at this juncture with regard to the Six Nations game and the continuing foot-and-mouth crisis in Britain.

Yesterday's statement pointed out that "the IRFU sought guidance in relation to the playing of domestic and international fixtures in light of foot-and-mouth disease precautions. The Department of Agriculture will give its formal advice and recommendations to the union tomorrow when a further statement will be issued."

The Ireland squad are due to convene next Monday for a two-day training camp but that longstanding arrangement is also under consideration and a decision on whether it can go ahead will be also taken later today.

For Ireland's English-based players, professional life retains a familiar pattern. The English Premier League continues unabated, as illustrated by last night's matches.

Rob Henderson was driving home from training when he took the phone call, eager for news on whether the IRFU had made a decision on the Ireland-England game and also if the Irish squad would convene next Monday. Club duty with Wasps eases his frustration.

"We play Bristol in a league match next Sunday so it's training as usual. For example, I'll be up at 6.30 a.m. for track work at 8 a.m., followed by a gym session until lunchtime. Are the guys in Ireland allowed train?"

Ireland's two Six Nations victories in as many matches had given their championship challenge the impetus now denied them by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

However, Henderson can see a silver lining for his Ireland-based team-mates. "Obviously the biggest drawback is the lack of continuity of play. When you manage a couple of victories back to back it establishes momentum in terms of confidence and playing patterns.

"But we are professional players and you have to deal with the interruption. As soon as this thing is over then the most important thing is getting the minds right and refocusing. In a practical way some of the players in Ireland will benefit from the rest; it allows them to continue training but protect their bodies from the wear and tear of matches."

Meanwhile, Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has lived up to his loyalty label by avoiding a selection panic in the wake of his team's record 43-3 defeat by England. McGeechan has refused to drop a single player from the squad which suffered at Twickenham. They will play Italy at Murrayfield a week on Saturday with the fit-again Gregor Townsend and Glenn Metcalfe added to his party.

Scotland Squad (v Italy, March 17th): Backs - A Bulloch, J Craig (both Glasgow Caley), D Hodge (Edinburgh Reivers), J Leslie (Northampton), K Logan (Wasps), J McLaren, G Metcalfe (both Glasgow Caley), C Murray (Edinburgh Reivers), A Nicol (Glasgow Caley), C Paterson (Edinburgh Reivers), B Redpath (Sale), G Townsend (Castres). Forwards - G Bulloch (Glasgow Caley), S Grimes (Newcastle), M Leslie (Edinburgh Reivers), G McIlwham (Glasgow Caley), R Metcalfe (Edinburgh Reivers), S Murray (Saracens), J Petrie (Glasgow Caley), B Pountney (Northampton), S Scott (Edinburgh Reivers), T Smith (Brive), M Stewart (Northampton), S Taylor (Edinburgh Reivers).