RUGBY has entered a new era in many respects and it is not only the financial aspects that have induced change. The Ireland management will break with long standing tradition tomorrow morning when the training session at Lansdowne Road, in preparation for the International Championship match against Scotland next Saturday, will be closed to press, radio, television and the public.
The reasons for this are "tactical", according to manager Pat Whelan and coach Murray Kidd. They want to work on certain moves and do not want their work filmed or observed. Scotland, in fact, have a longstanding tradition of having closed sessions in their preparations for major matches.
The Irish were very unhappy in Atlanta last week when some of their training sessions were filmed and they believe, probably correctly, that the Americans were aware of some of their moves. "We feel it could be beneficial to have this particular part of our preparation closed," said Whelan. "The two sessions today will as usual be open to those who want to come and watch them.
There will be two sessions today from, 9.30 to 11 o'clock and from two o'clock to 3.30. "We are aiming for sharp, short quality sessions," said Whelan. While the senior and A teams will do some of their training separately, some of the set piece, forward work will involve both teams. The respective back lines will also do some work in opposition to each other.
There will be scrum and line out practice in the sessions today, but it is not intended that there will be anything in the way of a "match" tomorrow. The session in the morning will chiefly be devoted to tactical, moves
Number eight Paddy Johns will attend the session this morning, but he is being excused in the afternoon to attend his sister's wedding. He will return to Dublin tonight and take a full part in the session tomorrow morning. Conor O'Shea, a member of the Ireland squad and the A team full back, will not attend the sessions today. He has been excused as he plays for London Irish in the crucial, second division league match against London Scottish at Sunbury today. He will travel to Dublin after that match.
Ireland out half Eric Elwood, who injured an ankle last week against the United States and was replaced during the match by Paul Burke, is, according to Whelan, "expected to take a full part in all the sessions".
"Our understanding is that he is fully fit," said Whelan, "but obviously he must prove that by taking a full part. But we are not worried at this stage about his fitness." There will be a press conference at 11.15 tomorrow morning following the closed, session.
Out half Alan McGowan has withdrawn from the A team replacements because of an attack of influenza, and his place is taken by international Niall Malone. Coach Dave Haslett and manager Ray Coughlan take charge of the A team.
With second row Malcolm O'Kelly and back row Eric Millar chosen on both under 21 and A sides, the under 21 selectors have, been forced to amend their side to meet Scotland at Stradbrook on Friday. Not alone have the under 215 lost O'Kelly and Millar, wing James Topping has also withdrawn because of examination commitments.
James Ryan (UCD), if he passes a fitness test this weekend, will replace O'Kelly, while Damien Evans (Orrell) takes over from Millar in the back row. Andrew Bermingham (Garryowen) has been called, into the replacements and Alan Robinson (Ballymena) has been added to the under 21 squad. Topping's place on the wing goes to Nigel Carolan (Corinthians). Coach Eddie" O'Sullivan and manager David Irwin will supervise the under 21 team's preparation this weekend.
There are two Youth inter provincials on the schedule today. This championship is sponsored by Esso, long time supporters of the schools internationals. This afternoon, Munster will meet Ulster at Thomond Park, while Connacht will have home advantage against Leinster at the Galway, Sportsgrounds. Last weekend, Ulster defeated Leinster while Munster defeated Connacht. Those results add to the significance" of the match at Thomond Park.
Two matches of considerable importance on the schedule tomorrow, at Donnybrook and Thomond Park, are the finals of the Leinster Senior League and the decider in what is termed the Munster Development League. These competitions were started to give clubs competitive rugby during the inter provincial series and during the break in the All Ireland League.
Lansdowne and Terenure meet at Donnybrook to decide the Leinster title and while Lansdowne will be without Ireland out half Eric Elwood, the Ireland replacement scrum half Niall Hogan has been given permission to play for Terenure. He faces a busy day as he makes the short trip from Lansdowne Road to Donnybrook to help his club. Hogan led Terenure to the club's last major success when he captained the club to win the Leinster Senior Cup in 1994.
Young Munster's great competitive instincts have again been revealed on the Munster scene. They have reached the final of the Munster Senior Cup for the last six years and now are in the league final, where Dolphin provide the opposition in a match that will draw a big crowd to Thomond Park. Prop Peter Clohessy is the only notable absentee from the Young Munster side, while his front row colleague on the Ireland side, hooker Terry Kingston, will be absent from the Dolphin line up.
Elsewhere on the competitive scene, there are three Ulster Senior League matches scheduled today, and two senior league ties in Connacht one today and one tomorrow. The fixture between Old Belvedere and Wanderers has been switched from Anglesea Road to Merrion Road today, with a 12.30 kick off.
