PLANET RUGBY

A round-up of today's other rugby news in brief

Irish welcome for Connacht

CONNACHT RETURN to the scene of their greatest European victory, where they beat Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens in 1997, in the European Challenge Cup. Welcoming Irish exiles in the Northampton squad will be Neil Best, former Clontarf centre James Downey and veteran Tipperary outhalf Barry Everitt, who recently saw off the challenge of one Carlos Spencer to sit on the Harlequins bench

Another Irishman in European action this weekend is Leicester Tigers fullback Geordan Murphy; who had a stormer in a vital defeat of Sale at Welford Road on Saturday that saw the Tigers go top of the Premiership. Murphy will feature in the European Cup quarter-final against Bath.

Another heavy blow to club game

The AIB All-Ireland League has provided some high-quality games, not that many punters would know judging from the sparse attendances around the Dublin venues so far this season. With some of the best young talent on show, players that have been responsible for breathing new life into this struggling semi-professional competition but these players look destined to be unavailable from next season with the introduction of an Anglo-Welsh-Irish A league.

Already, Leinster Academy players can only attend one club session a week and while there may be no direct fixture collision the already ailing club game will have to weather another heavy blow in its ongoing fight for survival.

Sharks take a three-point lead

SOUTH AFRICA’S Sharks reasserted their authority on the Super 14 with a 33-17 victory over New Zealand’s Wellington Hurricanes and established a three-point lead over the field at the weekend. The Sharks, who were the pre-tournament favourites, ran in three tries by Luzuko Vulindlu, FrancoisSteyn and Chris Jordaan, all of which scrumhalf Rory Kockott converted in Durban.

Kockott added three penalties while Steyn slotted a drop goal for the home side. The Sharks are on 30 points, three ahead of New Zealands Waikato Chiefs, who recovered from a 29-10 deficit early in the second half to beat South Africas Lions 36-29 in Hamilton.

In an understandable reaction to recent poor form at Test level, the French Rugby Federation have decided to finally curtail their marathon club season, introduce a salary cap and ensure 70 per cent of players in the Top 14 are French qualified. All this by 2011.

Ross expected at Leinster

IT’S NOT official yet but Cork-born tighthead prop Mike Ross is expected to replace Stanley Wright at Leinster next season. This makes for a difficult few days considering Leinster meet Ross’s club Harlequins at The Stoop on Sunday in yet another defining moment of the Michael Cheika era.

Despite a yellow card, Ross again proved himself an accomplished scrummager in a rare win for ’Quins at The Recreation Grounds in Bath, moving them to second in the Guinness Premiership. In fact, since losing in Ravenhill on January 17th Dean Richards’ men have won nine out of 10 outings. Strangely enough, there are almost 300 tickets still available at the 12,700 capacity venue.

Lewsey retires

FORMER ENGLAND utility back Josh Lewsey has decided to retire from rugby at the end of the season but still wants to be part of this year’s Lions tour to South Africa.

“I would dearly love to go,” said Lewsey, who was part of the Lions Tour to New Zealand in 2005. He also hinted that he may want a future role as a coach, saying: “One day, I may be back. I can count the number of great coaches I worked with on the fingers of one hand.”

Elsom set for another season

AUSTRALIAN media reports seem to have confirmed Rocky Elsom’s decision to remain with Leinster for another season. “Elsom was released early from his ARU contract last year on “compassionate grounds to link with Irish club Leinster for a one-year sabbatical,” reported The Age yesterday.

“Rocky was released on compassionate grounds and was committed to coming back to Australia this June to play for the Wallabies and was released on that basis,” a source told The Sun-Herald. “He gave his word that he was going to come back but nothing was actually signed. The ARU aren’t happy and understandably so, but it’s all worked out well for Rocky Elsom. Who’s to blame him for taking the massive cash on offer?”

After what transpired in Limerick on Saturday evening, this is the best news Leinster supporters could hope for.