IRFU reinstate McGurn

Rugby News round-up: The IRFU have issued a statement to the effect that Mike McGurn, fitness coach to the senior national team, has been reinstated after a suspension.

McGurn was carpeted following comments in a Belfast Telegraph article in the aftermath of last year's World Cup in Australia with regard to the fitness and preparation of players.

The union was not amused and McGurn was suspended from his post with the national side pending the resolution of the conflict between the individual and Irish rugby's governing body.

The IRFU's director of fitness, Liam Hennessy, took a more hands-on role during a New Year training camp in Lanzarote and Ireland's opening two Six Nations Championship matches against France and Wales. He oversaw the direct preparation of the team.

The statement briefly addressed the rapprochement between McGurn and the union. It read: "The IRFU wish to state that Mike McGurn has been reinstated as a fitness coach, following a period of suspension imposed as a consequence of a newspaper interview.

"Following meetings, at which he formally acknowledged inaccuracies expressed in the interview and stated his regret, Mike McGurn will immediately resume his position as fitness coach to the Ireland senior squad."

He will be involved in the build-up to this week's game against England at Twickenham.

Ireland's preparations for the Twickenham match have been hit by the weather. They were due to train yesterday morning, but found that both the pitch at Naas and the Lakelands grounds in Terenure were frozen over and had to abandon training.

They did go through their paces in the afternoon and the squad, plus additional players, came through without any injury concerns. The team to take on England will be announced at lunch-time today.

Meanwhile, Leinster confirmed that Gavin Hickie and Shane Jennings have been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury.

Continuing the province's horrific catalogue of injury was the news that both young players will require shoulder operations. It is yet another dreadful blow for Leinster coach Gary Ella.

Munster hope to have David Wallace and Jason Holland available again following injury for this weekend's Celtic League game against Ulster. They missed last Friday night's defeat to Neath-Swansea Ospreys.