Planet Rugby

Compiled by John O'Sullivan

Oh brother, here come the siblings

Presentation Brothers College, Cork, boasts a couple of famous names that will spearhead their Munster Schools Senior Cup challenge this season. It will send a shiver down the spine of opposing teams when they note that the halfbacks on the Pres Cork team are Stringer and O'Gara.

Following in the footsteps of their more famous siblings, Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara, both Irish internationals, are the young hopefuls David Stringer and Morgan O'Gara. David, like Peter is a scrumhalf while Morgan can play either outhalf or centre.

It will be interesting to note if the younger brothers come through to senior rugby and apply a little pressure to big brothers for Munster or Ireland.

Pope's novel idea

St Mary's College coach Brent Pope has come up with a novel idea to develop young players from junior rugby clubs. For the past couple of years Pope has taken several young players from St Mary's back to his native New Zealand to experience the different culture and demands of playing in a rugby hot-bed.

He has decided to develop this idea by inviting junior clubs as well as those in the AIB League Division Three to sponsor a young player for a six to eight week trip to New Zealand. Pope is looking to give about 20 players a rugby education in New Zealand and those that make the journey will play matches under the name, the Irish Shamrocks.

In New Zealand they will play underage teams, probably schools and under-19 selections and will also train with local clubs in the Christchurch area. They will be exposed to some of the best coaches in the country during their two-month tenure as well as competing as a team. They idea has been very well received by clubs in Ireland and Pope has been able to pencil in about 17 names to date.

There are places still open and given that he is looking to bring down a team of sorts, certain positions are more cherished than others at this juncture: second rows in particular would be a most welcome addition. Pope would also like to encourage any sponsor to contact him as the New Zealander is hoping to have the players' kit sponsored.

The cost of sending a player to New Zealand is about £2,000 and several clubs have organised fundraisers to get the money. Others have subsidised individuals while their parents have taken up any financial slack. Pope hopes to make this an annual event and admits "that if even one player went on to play for Ireland, it will have been a worthwhile venture."

Timely reminder

As Ireland prepared for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship in Limerick last week, one aspiring team member offered a timely reminder of his ability on Saturday with a kicking tour de force. Harlequins outhalf Paul Burke, deservedly won the man of the match accolade for his five penalties and a conversion (17 points) in a 100 per cent return from placed ball opportunities.

It was his boot that ultimately dispatched Leicester from the Powergen Cup as Burke helped Harlequins to a 22-20 victory at the Stoop. The highlight was Burke's final penalty on 80 minutes. According to Sky television Burke stood over the ball 57 metres from the Leicester posts. His wind assisted kick caressed the crossbar on its way over much to the delight of the watching Keith Wood (injured).

Obviously it wasn't such a momentous afternoon for Leicester and Ireland's Geordan Murphy although he did show conspicuously on limited opportunity. It wasn't such a great afternoon for former Ireland wing Darragh O'Mahony whose Saracens team were beaten 30-28 by Northampton at home in another quarter-final.

A family affair

It was a great day for the Hayes family yesterday as three brothers John, Tom and Mike played their part in helping Shannon to a 37-15 victory over Lansdowne at Thomond Park. Ireland and Munster tighthead John played the first 60 minutes while younger brother Tom was in the second row alongside Brian Buckley.

The Bull's departure pre-empted by about five minutes the arrival of the third Hayes brother Mike, who replaced Frankie Roche in the front row. Interestingly there may come a day when the two Hayes's prop either side of former Terenure hooker James Blaney, himself no stranger to the acclaim of a rugby playing family.

James boasts three brothers who also play rugby, two of whom are hookers, David and Brian with the other, Dermot, a flanker.

Propping game up

The English RFU has reacted positively to the dearth of props in the club game by orchestrating an advertising campaign to recruit the heftier members of society to the sport. "Join the Front Row Union" the poster says. The required age bracket is 18-45 and there is no upward limit on weight.

The RFU through its technical officers offers a two-hour instruction and for those willing to go on, the prospect of playing a match. There will be no reference to diets, sprints or fitness levels so as not to put off any of the portly brethren who wouldn't mind a slow ramble around a pitch to work up a thirst.

The reason for the drive is the demands which see club first teams requiring five front row players in a 22-man squad. This filters down and often players can not play because there aren't enough props to go around at the lower levels.

Rugby speak . . .

"They are the best side in Europe by a mile."

- Former Galwegians and current Harlequins coach John Kingston in referring to the Leicester team that his side had just, eh, beaten. So if Leicester are the best side in Europe what does that make Harlequins or Llanelli for that matter?

"The hearing was a farce and the die had been cast before my hearing. The reason I withdrew my complaint was because I felt that it was a waste of breath. They were so biased that any defence would have been in vain. I did not bite Peter Clohessy and I don't believe in the principle of an eye for an eye. Let him alone with his conscience. I have already forgiven him."

- Castres number eight Ismaella Lassissi on his contempt for the ERC Disciplinary hearing that saw the Ivory Coast international handed a 12-month ban for biting the Irish prop.

"He is the best placekicker that I have ever worked with."- Quins coach John Kingston eulogises Paul Burke's ability with the boot. Wonder what Eric Elwood thinks about that then?