Connacht's player drive is hindered

The Irish Rugby Football Union's process of selecting a new Munster director of rugby for next season is hindering Connacht's recruitment drive. The problem surrounds Connacht coach Michael Bradley who is the obvious candidate to succeed Alan Gaffney when he takes up his assistant coaches' role with Australia.

"It is difficult but such is life in professional sport so there is not much we can do about it at present," said Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly. "It does come at a bad time for us though."

The application deadline to the IRFU for the Munster role ended on March 23rd so it is now a case of an interview process being completed. Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald and team manager Jerry Holland are expected to have an input in hiring the new coach.

However, this is the crucial time of year in player recruitment for next season and an initiative to bring back native players to Connacht has begun. Already Johnny O'Connor has opted to stay with London Wasps for another season, while Leeds Tykes stated former Buccaneers backrow Colm Rigney has also signed a contract extension until 2006.

The other main target is Gavin Duffy, who appears to be biding his time before deciding to sign an extension with NEC Harlequins. "The Munster scenario is obviously having an influence," continued Kelly. "We have made him an offer and Harlequins made an offer but he seems to be waiting to see how the Munster quest for a new coach pans out."

If Bradley does return to his native province, Connacht will be plunged into further turmoil as a ready-made replacement is not at hand.

Kelly also stated he is awaiting an explanation from the ERC after it became apparent the Sale Sharks did not have grounds for swapping home advantage to the second leg of their European Challenge Cup semi-final. The first leg is at the Sportsground on Saturday (1.0).

Connacht were forced to forfeit home advantage to the second leg due to alleged venue unavailability by the Sharks.

"We have asked the ERC for an explanation. We took what they said in good faith and there will be no changes at this late stage either way as too many arrangements are in place."

On the playing front, Paul Warwick, John O'Sullivan and Michael Swift all pasted fitness tests today and will be available for selection this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Leinster may not name a side for Saturday's European Cup quarter-final against Leicester until just before the ERC deadline of noon on Friday.

Only a 25-man squad is expected at tomorrow's press conference in order to allow Shane Horgan, Gordon D'Arcy and Emmett Byrne as much time as possible to recover from injuries.

Horgan sustained ligament damage to his thumb against England on February 27th, while D'Arcy pulled a hamstring against Italy on February 6th. Byrne is struggling with a calf problem and is considered unlikely to recover in time.

Munster centre Rob Henderson is available for Sunday's match against Biarritz in San Sebastian after recovering from a virus that ruled him out of last Friday's win over the Newport Gwent Dragons.