Leinster's Corrigan passed fit to face French

RUGBY NEWS: As expected after a week of full contact training, Leinster captain Reggie Corrigan has been passed fit to play in the Heineken European Cup semi-final against Perpignan in Lansdowne Road on Sunday.

The 32-year-old Irish loosehead prop, who has been one of the key players both on and off the pitch in Matt Williams's side this season, missed the quarter-final victory over French champions Biarritz 10 days ago, having failed to recover in time from a broken wrist sustained late in the second half of Ireland's Six Nations win over Italy in Rome two months ago.

Corrigan's surgeon Dr Bill Quinlan, father of Leinster centre David, said yesterday that the front row was fit to play against the French side. Leinster will not, however, finalise their line-up until lunchtime today.

The news probably means that Emmet Byrne will move to the other side of the scrum with Shane Byrne at hooker, Peter Coyle on the bench and Niall Treston the unfortunate player to miss out for one of the province's biggest games.

No decision has yet been made about the fitness of centre Shane Horgan.

In that respect Williams has a number of options available to him, the least likely of which is to play Horgan from the start.

The Irish winger/centre, who is said to be 80 per cent fit, may start on the bench or sit out the match.

A bench position for Horgan would mean that utility player Peter McKenna would miss out.

At provincial level Connacht continue to struggle to hold on to their players with prop Ronan McCormack and lock Rowan Frost confirming that they are leaving to join Ulster.

The 28-year-old Frost was born in England, but learnt his game in New Zealand before arriving in Ireland four years ago. He qualifies to play for Ireland in August 2003, theoretically in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Prop McCormack, who turns 26 on Sunday, aims to help Ulster with their front row problem following the departure of Justin Fitzpatrick to France, and the loaning of Robbie Kempson back to South Africa for the World Cup.

A number of Irish players including outhalf David Humphreys, centre Kevin Maggs and fullback Geordan Murphy will appear for the Barbarians in May. Their inclusion takes the Irish contingent to five, with second rows Jeremy Davidson and Mick Galwey having already committed to the three-match tour, which sees the famous invitational side take on England, Scotland and Wales.

Barbarians Tour: England v Barbarians, May 25th, Twickenham; Scotland v Barbarians, May 28th, Murrayfield; Wales v Barbarians, May 31st, Millennium Stadium.