LIONS TOUR: Lawrence Dallaglio will join the Lions squad this weekend confident of proving his fitness for the tour to Australia after speculation that damaged knee ligaments would rule him out.

The England number eight injured his knee in the Championship play-offs and the Lions coach Graham Henry said he was not sure whether Dallaglio would make it.

But Dallaglio said yesterday: "I have run a couple of miles and lifted weights on the knee without any adverse reaction. It is getting better by the day and I will meet up with the rest of the Lions on Saturday. I am very positive about my chances of going on the tour."

TICKETS: The IRFU have clarified the position regarding Ireland's three postponed matches in the Six Nations Championship, reports Johnny Watterson.

For security and safety reasons the original tickets for Ireland's match against England on October 20th are being recalled. Those with tickets should return them to the club which issued them.

For Ireland's away matches against Scotland on September 22nd and Wales on October 13th, the original tickets remain valid.

IRISH SQUAD TRAINING: Mick Galwey joined the Irish squad last night after his wife Joan gave birth to a baby girl. Galwey arrived at the training session in Limerick prior to a 22-man squad being picked for Ireland's friendly against Romania next week.

Kevin Maggs shouldered a knock on the thigh while Paul Burke was sidelined with a groin strain during the session.

"The object is to get players back into an international frame of mind," said manager Brian O'Brien.