Guardian of hubris

PlanetRugby: As we know, South Africa coach Jake White's assertion before last week's Test at Lansdowne Road that he would include only three Irish players in his match squad 22 came back to haunt him.

White's faux pas was roundly derided in the English media ahead of Saturday's game between the Springboks and England. But one particular reporter obviously didn't realise he resides in a glasshouse, a poor place from which to lob stones. This column is grateful for the following piece sent in, an extract taken from the Guardian newspaper, following Ireland's 17-12 victory over South Africa.

It read: "White had asked what Ireland had achieved in the history of the game, implying their record was one of arch-mediocrity, and while the reaction of his opposite number Eddie O'Sullivan was one of thunderous indignation, the Irish played with such control, composure and assurance that South Africa must have felt the white jerseys they were facing were those of England."

We're feeling a little queasy but it's important to point out that poor old Jake is only in the ha'penny place when it comes to some of the Swing Low Sweet Chariot brigade's finest. Rugby arrogance? White has a great deal to learn.

Tier trek

While the 2007 Rugby World Cup is just a dot on the horizon in planning terms for the Tier One (elite) and Tier Two rugby playing nations, it's very much to the forefront for the lesser established rugby playing nations.

Only last week three matches in the qualification process took place in Europe. Serbia & Montenegro beat Bulgaria 33-10, Germany defeated Moldova 27-18 while Denmark accounted for Luxembourg 6-5 in a cliffhanger.

The understanding is players from Tier One countries, including Ireland, who happen to be working there bolster many Tier Two national sides. This column would like to traipse off and provide our reader with an in-depth feature on one of these matches but the sports editor is having none of it - something about budgets. This column is considering an email campaign to change his mind (josullivan@irish-times.ie).

Dave's Foran travels

When this column thinks of Irish rugby players plying their trade in France, names like Trevor Brennan (Toulouse) and Mick O'Driscoll (Perpignan) spring to mind. But there does appear to be another one in the shape of former High School scrumhalf Dave Foran, who has signed a professional contract with Biarritz.

According to an email we received, he played for the Leinster schoolboys and made the Ireland under-19 squad in his last year at High School. In the off-season in 2002 he went to South Canterbury to further his rugby education and the following summer he had a stint with the Collegians club in Durban.

In between he played AIB League Division Two rugby with DLSP on the wing and in the centre. In the 2003/2004 season he played for Leinster under-21s on the wing in all interprovincials.

He played for an Ireland under-21 selection against a French selection but it was a game for the Irish Colleges against Toulouse in France that prompted contact with Biarritz, who offered him a contract in June and he started training in mid-July.

He explained: "I usually play with the espoires team which is basically the development team in the club and made up of mainly professionals contracted to the club who are either not selected for the firsts that week or are coming back from injury, also eight of the players must be under 23.

"The team is coached by Mark Lievremont. We haven't lost a match yet all season. In a first-team context I am training with them as a wing and came on as a sub in a friendly match against Montabau. For the espoires team I am playing back row and am really enjoying it."

Munster perk up parks

Munster rugby is to launch a development plan this Wednesday at the University of Limerick where concrete (excuse the pun) plans are to be unveiled for a 30 million development of the province's two major stadia, Thomond Park and Musgrave Park.

The majority of the finances will go to the reconstruction of Thomond Park in Limerick where Munster play their European Cup matches and it is hoped the new capacity will be in the region of 26,000, more than double the present maximum.

Musgrave Park will also get a lesser facelift, with the main priority a stand to replace the existing one.

Hospitality way to Lions

The New Zealand public is being urged to book quickly for official hospitality tickets for next year's British and Irish Lions matches. With all tickets to the games allocated via the public ballot or season pass memberships, the only way to guarantee a ticket is through hospitality packages.

Lions Hospitality 2005 is selling these packages and some 80 per cent are sold. Only 300 of the 8,000 packages for the third Test in Auckland are left and fewer than 200 of the 3,500 for the second Test in Wellington.

New Zealand supporters have until Christmas Eve to register (www.lions.co.nz.)

Shannon sign deal

Shannon have signed a one-year deal with Chorus and all team jerseys will sport the TV company's logo. The club will also celebrate their 50th season as a senior club, during which they won every senior trophy for which they competed,with a gala evening in a marquee beside the clubhouse on December 12th. Tickets, from Jack Keane at 087 9672737, cost 40. Dress is informal .

Rugby speak

"I pack my boots in my bag first, followed by my jersey and everything else to the side. I never put anything on my jersey so when I open my bag at the park the first thing I see is the silver fern with 'All Blacks' beneath it."

- All Black Mils Muliaina describes what the New Zealand jersey means to him.