DAVID CAMPESE, troubled by a medial ligament injury, is out of the Barbarians team to meet Ireland in the Peace International at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.
Campese travelled to Dublin on Wednesday and had treatment on the knee injury yesterday. But however acute his anxiety to play, such is the nature of the injury that his chances of being fit were remote. His place will be taken by Jonathan Callard, the Bath and England full back.
Campese has given whole hearted support to the match. "I fully support the concept and very much wanted to contribute to the occasion. I am very disappointed at having to withdraw but had no alternative," he said.
As anticipated, Ireland will be without tight head prop Paul Wallace. He damaged a hamstring playing in Dubai at the weekend. He did some light training with the Ireland side on Wednesday, but there was little optimism that he would be fit.
Wallace's withdrawal was announced by Ireland manager Pat Whelan when the squad trained yesterday morning at Anglesea Road. His place will be taken by Angus McKeen, the Lansdowne and Ireland A full back. The Ireland selectors have also had to make a change in the replacements. Dominic Crotty, the UCC full back, has been forced to withdraw because of strained ligaments.
Whelan said that the likely replacement for Crotty will be Maurice Field.
"Their centre combination of Phil de Glanvile and Phillipe Sella is especially strong and we need experienced cover in that area," said Whelan.
"The match gives us the opportunity to try out some new players, such as James Topping and Robert Henderson, it is an important platform for those players, and indeed such as Henry Hurley, who is getting a run at loose head prop.
Some members of the Barbarians had a run out at Williamstown last night and the side is due to train there again this morning. Ireland will be back at Anglesea Road this morning when scrummaging will be a centre piece of the work.
Whelan said that the matter of contracts for the Ireland squad was now nearly finalised. " As soon as it is we will announce the names of the players," said Whelan. The Ireland squad will be brought together for fitness testing next weekend, probably in Dublin.
. England will not change their independent stance on TV negotiations, despite an appeal by their European partners to rejoin the Five Nations in unified negotiations.
The threat of England being ejected from the 1998 Five Nations championship has not diminished. Representatives from the five countries met yesterday and Five Nations secretary, Bob Weighill said: "The conflict is not any nearer a resolution."
And a English Rugby Football Union spokesman confirmed: "There is no change in our attitude."
Terms for broadcasting the Five Nations from 1998 onwards will be circulated to TV companies by the end of the month on behalf of the Five Nations.
. Cork Constitution will rely on the same 15 players who lined out in the semi final against Sunday's Well for the Munster Senior Cup final against Shannon at Musgrave Park on Sunday. There are two postional changes in the pack.
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