THE Munster selectors, who hold a trial at Thomond Park this afternoon prior to finalising the side to meet the Irish XV tomorrow week, been informed by the Bristol club that they will not, under any circumstances, release international outside half Paul Burke and flanker David Corkery to play for the province in the European Cup.
That is extremely disappointing for both Munster and the two players. Munster manager Colm Tucker said yesterday: "We were informed by fax of the Bristol decision and they told us that under no circumstances will they release the two players. We are not allowing the matter to rest there. We were assured by David Corkery that he had a clause in his contract that he would be released. "We are now seeking clarification from the players and the club." Bristol will play in the European Conference competition this season and obviously want Burke and Corkery available for that.
That decision most certainly will not help the players representative careers in any respect, but is indicative of the kind of situation that is likely to recur in the future in relation to the release of players.
With so many Ireland squad players now with English clubs, the Ireland manager Pat Whelan, coach Murray Kidd and their three selectors today make the first of what will be many visits to England this season, to see candidates for the national team in action in the Courage League.
Whelan and Kidd will watch the match between Saracens and Leicester which is being played at the Enfield soccer grounds, while Donal Lenihan and Frank Sowman will be at Sunbury to see London Irish face Bristol.
Two men not in the Ireland squad will be watched by selector Joe Miles. They are hooker Keith Wood, making his competitive return after over a year out of the game, and former Ireland captain Jim Staples. They both play for Harlequins against Gloucester.
Leinster set off on their Italian adventure today for the match against Benetton (Treviso) tomorrow and against the Italian Zebras next Saturday, while Connacht left for Sweden yesterday to prepare for their two matches, the first against the Swedish national side on Tuesday and the second next Saturday against an Exiles side. Both games are in Stockholm.
On the club front at home, the Ulster Senior League gets under way today with four matches listed. Ballymena play Collegians, Ballynahinch, newcomers this season to the All Ireland league, will be at home to Armagh, City of Derry take on CIYMS and Malone meet Ards.
There are three matches down for decision in the Cork Charity Cup. Highfield meet Waterpark at Woodleigh Park, Midleton will be at home to Sunday's Well and Skibbereen play UCC at the Mardyke. The rest of the programme is made up of club friendly fixtures.
