RUGBY/News round-up: France team manager Jo Maso is convinced New Zealand-born centre Tony Marsh will win his battle against cancer and return for the World Cup in Australia in October-November.
The 30-year-old Marsh faces chemotherapy which rules him out of France's tour of Argentina and New Zealand in June.
But Maso, in almost daily contact with the player, said yesterday he was counting on the player to get back into the World Cup squad. "He's got such fight, I'm not worried. We've got great hope he'll be back with us in August to prepare for the World Cup," he told l'Equipe.
France captain Fabien Galthie says the no-nonsense centre is the sort of man who does not give up without a fight. "Our hearts go out to him. He's a great team-mate, someone who pulls everyone together and we know he's going to fight."
Marsh, a cornerstone of the French midfield in their 2002 Six Nations Grand Slam, won the last of his 11 caps for France in the 31-25 defeat to Australia in Sydney in June 2002.
He complained of persistent groin pain last November and last month underwent an operation to remove a tumour.
Marsh, whose mother is Maori, went to France in 1998 after spending most of the Super 12 season on the Canterbury Crusaders' bench. He quickly won a first-team place for Montferrand and since being called up by France in November 2001 for a Test against South Africa, he has been a key player alongside Damien Traille.
Thomas Castaignede, who returned after almost two years out after rupturing his Achilles tendon, has replaced him at outside centre this season.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Branch of the IRFU has announced Justin Fitzpatrick will not be renewing his contract with Ulster next season. Fitzpatrick has been an important part of the Ulster squad for several seasons and played in the 1999 European Cup winning side. His development also earned him a place on the Irish national side.
The Singapore Sevens tournament, due to be held on April 26th-27th, has been deferred indefinitely because of fears of a deadly pneumonia outbreak, SARS, that has affected the city-state, organisers said yesterday.
Singapore and Hong Kong are among the areas worst hit by the disease.
IRELAND Under-19 Squad (IRB/FIRA under-19 World Championship, France, April 10th-20th) - Forwards: John Andress (Belfast Harlequins), Oisín Hennessy (Dungannon), Anthony Kavanagh (capt, Garryowen), Frank Leonard (UL Bohemians), Ronan Loughney (UL Bohemians), Gary Maxwell (Dungannon), Brett McNamee (Irish Exiles), Mark Melbourne (Garryowen), Robert Quinn (UCC), Tim Ryan (Highfield), Daniel Smith (Irish Exiles), Lewis Stevenson (Belfast Harlequins), Robert Sweeney (St Mary's), Colm Treston (Blackrock College). Backs: Steven Auld (Belfast Harlequins), Kieran Geraghty (Irish Exiles), Marc Hewitt (Skerries), Thomas Horner (Belfast Harlequins), Barry Keeshan (UCC), Ross McCarron (UCD), Richard McCarter (QUB), Paul McKenzie (Irish Exiles), Breiffne O'Donnell (UL Bohemians), Greg Stafford (Lansdowne), Gareth Steenson (QUB), Cillian Willis (Blackrock College). Manager: Michael Cunningham;coach: Pat Murray; asst Coach: Phil Lawlor.
• Ireland play their opening Group A match against Italy on Thursday, April 10th in Sucy at 6.30 p.m. local time.
Group A: New Zealand, France, South Africa, Argentina, Scotland, England, Wales, Italy, Ireland, Georgia, Russia, Romania, Japan, Korea, Canada, Namibia.
Group B: Uruguay, Chile, Spain, USA, Tunisia, Portugal, Paraguay, Ukraine, Germany, Morocco, Chinese Taipei, Lithuania, Belgium, Cot D'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Hong Kong.
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