Masi cited for Kearney tackle

ANDREA MASI has been cited by the independent Six Nations match commissioner for a dangerous tackle on Ireland’s Rob Kearney in last Sunday’s Six Nations Championship match at Stadio Flaminio. The incident happened after 46 seconds of the game when the Italian fullback caught his counterpart on the neck with a straight-arm tackle.

English referee Chris White issued a yellow card, but the matter has now been referred to a Six Nations three-man disciplinary committee.

The hearing will take place in London today. If the player is found guilty, he is likely to miss at least Italy’s next game against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday week.

Meanwhile, South African rugby’s acting managing director, Andy Marinos, has emphatically quashed rumours that their franchises were contemplating ending their involvement in Super 14 to join the Magners League.

The speculation originated in several media outlets in Australia on Monday.

“There is not a jot of truth in this speculation and we wouldn’t normally even bother responding to such a story,” Marinos said. “But as it has now grown via the internet from speculation from one source in Australasia to a real possibility in websites across Europe, we thought rugby supporters would like the record put straight.

“So let me put it quite plainly: we have had no informal or formal discussions with the Magners League – or any European-based leagues for that matter – about deserting our Sanzar partners and playing in a Northern Hemisphere-based tournament. And nor do we have any plans to hold such discussions.”

The Magners League is likely to welcome Italian sides to the tournament the season after next, with discussions already at an advanced stage.

Ireland have released an extended squad ahead of an AIB club international against England at Donnybrook on Friday week (5pm). The Irish side will once again be coached by Cork Constitution’s Brian Walsh – assisted by UCC’s Brian Hyland with Donal Brennan as manager – who led the composite club team to victory over Scotland last season.

The 36-man squad was drawn from all three divisions based on club coaches being asked to put forward the names of opposition players who had impressed them.

In addition, a team of advisors, Finbar Dennehy, Ciaran Smyth, Roly Meates and David Smyth, have been monitoring games and recommending players for consideration.

The squad consists of 17 players from Leinster clubs, 12 from clubs in Munster, four players from Connacht and three from Ulster.

It will be reduced to a match squad of 22 players next Monday.

IRELAND CLUB SQUAD: Colin Atkinson (Belfast Harlequins), Ron Boucher (Lansdowne), Kevin Croke (UCD), Aaron Dundon (Clontarf), Alex Dunlop (Terenure), Martin Gatley (Highfield), Dave Harty (Dolphin), Hugh Hogan (St Mary’s College), Neilus Keogh (UCC), Richie Leyden (Old Belvedere), Alan Maher (Lansdowne), Brett McNamee (Dungannon), Kevin Moran (Buccaneers), Colm Murphy (Lansdowne), Merle O’Connell (Cork Constitution), Breffni O’Donnell (Clontarf), Barry O’Mahony (Dolphin), Robert Quinn (Lansdowne), Simon Shawe (Ballymena), Jamie Stephens (Galwegians), Marc Warburton (Old Wesley), Tadgh Bennet (Shannon), Philip Brophy (St Mary’s), Darin Claasen (Corinthians), Derek Corcoran (Young Munster), Sam Cronin (UCC), Ruairi Cushion (Old Belvedere), Eamon Fitzgerald (Old Belvedere), Darragh Fitzpatrick (Blackrock), Alan Gaughan (Buccaneers), Barry Keeshan (Dolphin), Richie Lane (Cork Constitution), Killian Lett (UCD), Fionn McLoughlin (Shannon), Niall O’Brien (Clontarf), Ed Torrie (UL Bohemians).