O'Connor to stay a Wasp

News: The tug of war over Johnny O'Connor between Connacht and London Wasps has been won by the English Premiership side.

After meeting chief executive David Davies and outgoing director of rugby Warren Gatland yesterday, the openside flanker agreed to re-sign with the 2004 European Cup champions.

"He has not put ink to paper yet," said Davies last night, "but I went through the contract with him this afternoon and it now seems like a formality. We expect him to sign later this week."

O'Connor also had his first full training session at the club since returning from international duty and will, if selected, return to domestic rugby this Friday against the Sale Sharks.

Judging from the soundings on either side of the fence, Connacht have all but given up on trying to sign their former player who is a strong candidate to make the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in June.

Last week's quotes attributed to O'Connor on the Wasps website stated he was very happy and privileged to be playing with them next season.

Yet, over in Galway, Connacht manager Tim Allnutt had a different take on affairs. "Wasps said he had signed for them last week but an agent agreeing terms does not as we understand it mean he has signed," said Allnutt.

"Johnny is still making up his mind. We have made an approach for him through the correct channels and through the IRFU we made an offer but it doesn't seem to be about money, it's more where he plays his rugby next year."

Yet, Connacht Branch chief executive Gerry Kelly admitted last night: "I haven't heard from him all day but his decision appears to edging towards Wasps."

Connacht are also trying to tempt Gavin Duffy, another home grown talent who has recently broken into the Irish set-up, to rejoin the province.

Good news for Connacht is that Australian outhalf Paul Warwick has recovered from a groin operation and will be available for the European Challenge Cup semi-final first leg against Sale on April 2nd at the Sportsground.

England captain Jason Robinson is not expected to recover from a thumb ligament injury in time for that game.

Meanwhile, despite losing the Leinster Schools Senior Cup final to Belvedere College on St Patrick's Day, Blackrock College have, with four, the largest representation in the Irish schools side to face England this Saturday at Temple Hill in Cork.

David Pollock of Royal School Dungannon captains the side that also plays Wales in Pontypool on April 2nd before returning to play France at Athlone's Dubarry Park on Friday, April 8th.

Also, an under-18 squad has been assembled with players from rugby schools and clubs to represent Ireland in the Four Nations Tournament in Wales from March 26th to April 1st.

Tullow Community School retained their Leinster Schools Development Senior Cup title by whitewashing Enniscorthy CBS 29-0 in the final at Donnybrook yesterday. James Hickey scored two tries while Aidan Ward and Stephen Doyle completed the quartet of touchdowns and William Canavan kicked nine points.

Tullow were prevented from completing the double when Dundalk Grammar's Craig Fannin shot two penalties to cancel out Gary Kealy's try in the Junior final curtain-raiser.