Dunne set for Bath

PlanetRugby: Although it's yet to be officially confirmed by either club it seems the former Ireland Schools, Ireland Under-21 and Leinster outhalf Andy Dunne is set to leave Harlequins for Bath.

Dunne, a gifted performer who has suffered a horrendous run with injury over the past two and a half years, has been offered a two-year deal at the Recreation Ground. He enjoyed mixed fortunes at Harlequins, playing brilliantly in some matches but on occasion finding himself behind Paul Burke (before the latter moved to Munster), then Jeremy Staunton and latterly former Welsh international Arwel Thomas.

The fact he is no longer involved in the representative scene in Irish terms will have made him an attractive acquisition for Bath.

Canadians on tour

One of Canada's most prominent rugby enthusiasts and officials, Patrick Parfrey, arrived in Cork recently bringing with him an under-18 area team from Newfoundland to play three fixtures. Parfrey, who originally hails from Cork and was a former outhalf for UCC, is now living in Newfoundland. He brought his team on tour to play a Munster A Schools selection, Youghal Under-18s and South Munster Youths.

An internationally renowned scientist, former president of Rugby Canada and one-time Canadian national team coach, Parfrey picked up the Order of Canada last year for his tireless work in medicine and medical research and contributions to the rugby community.

Despite the fact the nearest opposition to the team in Canada is a 90-minute flight away, and the team are forced to train indoor for much of their season due to snow, these hardships do nothing to dampen their enthusiasm for the sport. The dedication of players and officials is unquestionable in those circumstances.

Forty travelled in the group, which had several strong Irish connections. A number of expatriates made a welcome return visit to Ireland, including Brian Deasy, originally from Galway but now living in Canada.

The games were of a high standard and the very physical Canadians put up a good fight, using their well-honed basic skills to full advantage, and were unlucky not to take at least one win.

Results: Munster A Schools 17 Newfoundland Area Under-18s 5; Youghal RFC Under-18s 15 Newfoundland Area Under-18s 12; South Munster Youths 12 Newfoundland Area Under-18s 7.

Worthy fundraiser

DLSP member Karl Burke on Friday completed a parachute jump to raise funds for the Barrettstown and Children's Cancer Fund. It is especially poignant for him as last year he lost a son, Kieran, aged five to leukaemia.

David Kenna sent this column an e-mail with the details and, as he observed about the work done in and through Barrettstown, "It is truly heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, and those volunteers - well they have to be angels, don't they?"

No argument there. For more information, their website is www.barrettstowngc.ie.

Of more direct important to DLSP, David, and in particular Karl, is the money raised by the parachute jump. Those looking to make a financial donation can do so by clicking on davidkenna@eircom.net and pledging an amount no matter how small. Money raised will go toward trying to save the lives of children and supporting the families of terminally ill children.

Calling foul in SANZAR

It seems all is not fair in love and war as far as SANZAR's judicial system is concerned. There is said to be mounting pressure on the procedure to be overhauled. It has been under constant fire this year, with apparent discrepancies in the citing of players and their treatment by judicial panels.

The latest debate has been sparked by Wendell Sailor escaping any sort of punishment for a head-butt followed by a forearm on Josh Blackie in a recent Super 12 match.

With separate citing commissioners in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, there is a wide variance in who is called to account.

As the rugbynews.com website pointed out, "The penalties handed down by each country for similar offences have varied significantly, and there is increasing criticism coming from New Zealand, suggesting that different commissioners cite for different offences and that some judicial chairmen are more likely to suspend players than others.

"The National Rugby League's judicial system is often touted as a way forward for rugby, with league employing a full-time, professional commissioner who examines each game. There also seems to be a straightforward system of offence and penalty, while rugby's penalties tend to vary alarmingly.

"But comparisons with the NRL are flawed because rugby is a more complex game, and by necessity its laws and judicial process are more complicated. That is also why there is no uniform code in rugby that stipulates which penalties follow which different offences."

It's a problem that needs to be addressed immediately to guarantee future good relations between combatants.

Spencer stirs things up

It seems the hugely gifted if sometimes erratic Carlos Spencer is not flavour of the month at the (Auckland) Blues. Having been dropped to the bench for the Brumbies game in the Super 12, Spencer subsequently withdrew because of the death of a grandparent and while he was restored to the match squad this week, there have been mutterings about his failure to stick to a game plan.

Long regarded as one of the most naturally gifted ball players in the game, Spencer has been replaced on the national team by Daniel Carter and doesn't look like getting back in any time soon.

Now that David Holwell is heading back to New Zealand, Leinster could put in an offer for Spencer. After all he is Brian O'Driscoll's favourite player (or at least was) and goodness knows he is mercurial . . . just like Leinster.

Coaches make moves

Leinster are likely to receive many of the same CVs Munster got through the post for the position as director of rugby. Bath's Australian John Connolly (he leaves the Rec this summer), Zinzan Brooke and Kevin Putt (recently fired by Super 12 side the Sharks) just three of several that sent in resumes.

The glamour post though has to be that at Wasps, and the race to succeed Warren Gatland has begun in earnest, with John Kirwan, recently dispensed with by Italy, heading a long list of names.