Planet Rugby

Jonathan Thomas, the influential Neath-Swansea Ospreys flanker, won't be available to face Munster in the Heineken European Cup Pool Four match at the Gnoll on Sunday after being sent off in Saturday's defeat by Castres Olympique.

Thomas to miss Munster clash

The Welsh international was dismissed by English referee Dave Pearson in the final minute, guilty of punching. He has received an 18-day ban after appearing before a disciplinary hearing held by match commissioner Jean-Claude Legendre.

Luke Gross, Newcastle Falcons' second-row forward, was also sent off in the 67th minute of their Pool Five tie against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade. The US international has been suspended for four weeks after Irish referee Donal Courtney sent him to the line for kneeing a prone player. Following a disciplinary hearing in front of match commissioner Ray Wilton (Wales) he was banned for illegal use of a knee and will miss the home game against Perpignan on Sunday.

Costello sings to the blues

Achtung Baby, or in the case of Leinster number eight Victor Costello, Achtung Victor. Costello celebrated his 34th birthday on Saturday with a storming performance for Leinster in their 25-9 victory over Benetton Treviso in Italy. In the tradition of those who celebrate birthdays while on duty with the Irish province Costello was called upon to grab the microphone and stand in the aisle on the charter plane on the way home that night and serenade the company. Initially reluctant and drawing lots of laughter for his assertion he was a dancer and not a singer, Costello apologised in advance, grabbed the mike and chose a song by U2. This column couldn't recognise it from the singer's dulcet tones.

A couple of verses suggest Costello won't be chasing a recording contract just yet. A U2 spokesman was not available for comment. Leinster coach Declan Kidney, who also celebrated a birthday during the week, was pressed to grab the mike but wisely declined.

Fox may face trial by TV

One player who hasn't as yet been disciplined but could yet find himself in trouble is Northampton flanker Darren Fox. He was guilty of appearing to head-butt not once but on two separate occasions during his side's 13-9 victory over Glasgow at Hughenden. The incidents were missed by the French officials but not the Sky television cameras.

On a more positive note was the performance of the former Connacht second row and Ireland under-21 international Damien Browne, who had a fine game in very difficult conditions.

Scotland's financial crisis deepens

The financial crisis gripping the Scottish Rugby Union appears to have deepened, with the ruling body releasing three administrators in the name of cost cutting. Chief executives, Jim McKenzie of Edinburgh, Alastair Cranston of the Borders and David Jordan of Glasgow have been freed of their duties following the appointment of Keith Grainger as director of professional rugby.

The shift also means former national coach and now director of rugby Ian McGeechan has to take on a much greater workload, with the coaches of the three sides now reporting directly to him at board level. The changes follow a number of cost-cutting and revenue-raising initiatives, which have included thoughts of selling off the home of Scottish rugby, Murrayfield. Grainger will leave his position as chief executive of the Celtic League and as yet no decision has been taken on his replacement in this role.

Gregan solves dilemma for Jones

Australian fans are breathing a sigh of relief, with the news captain George Gregan will be on hand for next month's tour of Europe. Gregan had been considering stepping down from the tour, after his son Max was diagnosed with epilepsy. However, after being given a guarantee he's free to leave at any time should the situation deteriorate, Gregan has assured coach Eddie Jones he'll lead the tour. The decision solves a tricky selection problem for Jones, who was facing the prospect of playing the inexperienced Brumbies scrumhalf Matt Henjak in place of Gregan, after regular back-up Chris Whitaker pulled out with a groin injury.

Uniting with Irish rugby league team

Those who'd like a close-up view of Ireland's rugby league team, recent conquerors of Wales, can toddle along to Blackrock College's Williamstown pitch for a chance to watch and meet the team tomorrow (3 pm).

White's selection controversy

Controversy rages over Jake White's 33-man Springbok squad to tour Argentina, Ireland and Britain next month, especially the inclusion of Jonghikhaya Nokwe, a little-known flyer from Boland. The squad includes six newcomers - prop Gurthro Steenkamp, flankers Solly Tyibilika and Tim Dlulane, scrumhalf Michael Claassens, centre Bryan Habana and Nokwe.

White's squad received reasonable approval but the selection of Nokwe and the inclusion of Gcobani Bobo will certainly raise the question and issue of quota selections. The squad includes five black players - the most ever in a Bok squad of any description - and another six coloured players. This appears to be in line with the requirement of a minimum of 10 "players of colour" for the touring squad.

While the selection of players like Habana, Steenkamp, Tyibilika and Dlulane can't be faulted - they produced creditable Currie Cup performances this year - questions have been asked about Nokwe, who has been playing for Boland in the first division, effectively a second-tier competition, and has not even been tested at Currie Cup level - let alone Super 12 or Test level. White tried to explain his selection by saying the team lacked "real pace" out wide. "He (Nokwe) clocked 4.8 seconds for the 40 metres, which is faster than anything we have in the team," White said at a media conference in Pretoria.

Rugby speak

"I have to work out how the wind works around here."

- Wellington half-back Piri Weepu after missing five out of seven goal kicks during Wellington's semi-final at a windy Westpac Stadium.