Anderson to take up Scottish offer

An agreement is expected to be reached today between the Leinster Branch and the Scottish RFU which will allow the province's assistant coach Willie Anderson to take up Murrayfield's offer to become the Scottish number two, thereby enabling the former Irish captain to link up with Matt Williams in time for their six-match tour to Australia next month.

The Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson last night confirmed that a formal approach had been made by the Scottish Union to Leinster through the IRFU's Philip Browne and he doesn't expect any hitches.

"We're not going to stand in anyone's way if they're going from a provincial situation to an international set-up."

In effect therefore, Leinster will start the process of looking for a replacement next week. "I wish Willie well. He's worked very hard, he's been a great asset, we're sorry to see him go and he's going to be difficult to replace."

Dawson also confirmed that the proposed meeting of Leinster's Professional Management Committee, which was cancelled last week due to Mick Doyle's removal, has yet to be resecheduled.

"There's nothing sinister in it, it's just a question of finding a convenient time for everyone to reschedule it."

Meanwhile, Munster's talented utility back Jeremy Staunton has agreed to link up with an expanding Irish colony at Harlequins.

The London club's coach, Marc Evans, tried to sign Staunton four years ago but this time the player, who had been offered a new deal by Munster as well as reigning English champions and this weekend's European Cup finalists Wasps, has accepted a two-year deal.

The uncapped pair of loose forward Jacques Cronje and wing Henno Mentz have been called up to the Springbok squad for next month's tests against Ireland. Cronje - the younger brother of Geo, who was at the centre of a race storm last season - replaces Joe van Niekerk, who injured a groin muscle on Wednesday. Mentz replaces Jaque Fourie, who pulled a hamstring in training.