Miller and O'Kelly come through unscathed

RUGBY/News: Perhaps the most wearying and worrying aspect of an international coach's remit is the Saturday evening, a week prior to a Test match, hoping that the mobile phone doesn't ring. It's rarely good news.

Eddie O'Sullivan will be thankful that four potential Test players - Geordan Murphy, Kevin Maggs, Eric Miller and Malcolm O'Kelly - emerged unscathed ahead of next weekend's Six Nations Championship clash with England at Twickenham.

Forwards coach Niall O'Donovan monitored O'Kelly's return to competitive fare following a five-week layoff due to cheekbone/eye socket damage. It had forced him to miss Ireland's opening international against Wales.

The St Mary's College second row played the 80 minutes and even found time to be a little picky about his performance following his enforced spell on the sidelines that has seen him inactive for five weeks.

"From a personal point of view I didn't start at the right intensity, but I picked it up as the game went along. I had no choice."

He did, though, confess to thoroughly enjoying the 80-plus minutes.

O'Sullivan was still awaiting the arrival of a couple of players last night but pointed out: "I don't have any indication of any injury problems."

Miller, who also missed the Welsh game, played an integral part in Terenure's 23-20 victory over Blackrock at Lakelands on Saturday and showed no adverse reaction to the viral illness that plagued him 10 days ago.

"I was keen to get a game this week. I've done a lot of training and despite the tummy bug I am just raring for games. Hopefully I've a shot at the weekend."

Simon Easterby did not play for Llanelli last Friday night in their Welsh/Scottish League clash with Ebbw Vale; Guy Easterby sat on the bench.

It was interesting to note that Bath chose Kevin Maggs in the centre for their Premiership clash with Harlequins on Saturday and decided to rest Mike Tindall.

Maggs and his club-mate seem set to clash at Twickenham next Saturday. Murphy lined out at full back for Leicester against Saracens and bagged one of his team's tries in a facile victory.

It was the Irishman's eighth league try of the season and puts his on top of the standings in England.

The match was more noteworthy for a punching incident involving England captain Martin Johnson.

He punched Saracens hooker Scotland's Robbie Russell and inflicted sufficient damage to the latter's cheekbone that it required six stitches.

The match was televised live by Sky Sports and Johnson's punch is caught clearly by the cameras.

He should have received a straight red card instead of the yellow lamely produced by referee Dave Pearson.

Saracens chief executive Francois Pienaar seethed afterwards: "I am not happy with that at all. I can not believe it was not dealt with in the most severe manner possible. If it was another player out there it would have been a red card."

There was no initial indication with regard to a possible citing of Johnson, although in the light of Pienaar's words and those of Sky commentator Stuart Barnes and match analyst, former Australian international Michael Lynagh, both of whom suggested that the England captain deserved a straight red, it may be forthcoming.

Not that it would affect Johnson's chances of leading England against Ireland at Twickenham, as the English RFU disciplinary committee meet once a month generally and wouldn't be in any hurry to convene a meeting for this incident.

The Ireland and England teams for the Twickenham game will be named tomorrow.