Planet Rugby

Planet Rugby/Compiled by John O'Sullivan: It seems Munster were rather fortunate to take delivery of their red jerseys, training gear and balls ahead of their Heineken Cup clash with Gloucester at Thomond Park recently.

Stopped by red tape

Obviously subscribing to the motto "thou shall not pass without the correct pass", the stewards, appointed by and under the direction of the IRFU, threatened to turn away Jack Kiely and the Munster team van, laden with their jerseys and equipment, because he didn't have the requisite pass to gain admittance to the ground.

Now this column lauds vigilance but even when it was pointed out by several observers that Kiely was who he claimed to be, the stewards weren't about to turn a blind eye to the paperwork. A compromise of sorts was reached in that the kit man was informed he would be allowed to take the van into the ground but on depositing it's contents he was to remove the vehicle from the grounds.

Fortunately a Munster official materialised with a spare car-park pass and Kiely was able to throw it on the dash and keep the van in Thomond Park.

This was of course on the same day that six cars were broken into on the premises. Ah, the joys of red tape.

Ella gets Italian job

When Ireland play Italy in their final game of the Six Nations Championship at Lansdowne Road, Leinster coach Gary Ella will have mixed loyalties on the day following the news that his brother Glen is to take charge of the Italian back line for the duration of the tournament.

Glen Ella, who coached the Australian back line during last year's World Cup, was approached by Italian supremo John Kirwan about lending a hand with the Azzuri. Ella, who resigned from his post with the Wallabies last December, was due to join the Italians yesterday just a couple of weeks ahead of their opening match against world champions England on February 15th.

Kirwan, a prolific scorer in his days as an All Black wing, has largely relied on the grunt of his pack and managed just a single victory in last season's Six Nations when they beat Wales, who finishing bottom of the standings.

It'll be interesting to note whether brotherly love prevails as Gary watches Glen try to outfox several of his Leinster players.

Dallan on song

Speaking of things Italian, it seems Italian centre Denis Dallan is bidding to become the new Luciano Pavarotti. Dallan, one of two brothers - Manuel is the other - who have played for the Azzuri, is due to broadcast on the television network France 2 singing from Giuseppe Verdi's opera Othello.

The performance is due to coincide with Italy's Six Nations Championship game against France in Paris. The teams are due to meet on February 21st at the Stade de France with the broadcast taking place the day before the game.

The programme will concentrate on Dallan and his love of opera. He has established quite a reputation as a tenor having taken singing lessons to improve his voice.

The sponsors of the Italian team Kappa will take the opportunity to present new jerseys to the Italian team for use during the Six Nations Championship.

Italian rugby complains it has little exposure on Italian television, apart from on the private station La7 who will broadcast the whole of the Six Nations.

Dallan, who turns 26 in March, has played 33 times for Italy and is a first-choice player.

Scots change tune

The Scottish rugby anthem Flower of Scotland could be under threat following plans by the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) to come up with alternative so as not to offend English sensibilities. The new anthem will feature words by poet Donald Smith and will be set to the tune of Highland Cathedral.

The fans will have the chance to choose which song they prefer, the suggestion being that many Scots feel Flower of Scotland, written by the late Corries legend Roy Williamson, is anti-English and backward looking.

SRU marketing director Phil Anderton said the pipe tune Highland Cathedral, written by German musicians Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb in 1982, has already featured as a key part of match-days and in advertising.

"Our plan is to introduce it at one of the games alongside Flower of Scotland, then to gauge the feedback," Anderton told a Scottish newspaper.

Website is a draw

Those of you who want to hear and see the European Cup semi-final draw live when it takes place at Iveagh House at 1 p.m. tomorrow without leaving the comfort of your own home or office, can do so by logging on to ERC's website, www.ercrugby.com.

Darwin calls it a day

Australian prop Ben Darwin was forced to retire last week with the neck injury he sustained in the World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks.

Darwin, who made his Test debut for the Wallabies in 2001 when he came off the bench in the first match of the Lions series, played a total of 28 Tests and was a part of Bledisloe Cup triumphs in 2001 and 2002.

He broke into the ACT Brumbies team in 1998 and went on to play 47 matches for the Brumbies, including 41 Super 12 games and was an integral part of their 2001 championship winning team.

Darwin said he had no choice but to retire. "Upon review of my injury the doctors have decided that it is necessary for me to retire from rugby. There was no decision for me to make, the doctors' advise was very clear.

"Whilst the injury itself was difficult, there have been some enormous positives. The support that I have received from friends, family, the rugby community and the general public has been both amazing and humbling."

Darwin paid tribute to All Black prop Kees Meeuws who he credits with saving his life. When the scrum went down in that semi-final the Australian shouted "neck, neck, neck" and Meeuws immediately stopped pushing.

Darwin admitted: "Thank you to Kees Meeuws who, in a selfless act, may have saved my life." Before concluding: "As a 15-year-old, I had a Wallaby jersey on my wall and dreamt of playing for my country. Having achieved this goal I can retire knowing I have made the young man in me happy."