Planet Rugby

Compiled by Gavin Cummiskey

Ireland set-up takes shape

IF WE are to believe what's coming off the grapevine, the only position that needs filling on the national coaching ticket is that of a forwards expert. Declan Kidney is expected to be confirmed as head coach this week, while Alan Gaffney, now contracted to the IRFU as a Leinster "consultant", should play a role with the back line. Paul McNaughton is favourite for the position of manager.

World Cup-winning Springbok forward guru Gert Smal has been interviewed about running the Ireland or even Munster (to replace Jim Williams) packs. Another potential candidate for the national set-up is the former Lions lock Jeremy Davidson. Capped 32 times for Ireland, the 34-year-old is part of the backroom team with Castres.

While Anthony Foley and Mick Galwey may be seeking various coaching roles in the coming months, George Graham of Scotland and Niall O'Donovan are also in contention for a job in Munster.

All in all, expect plenty of changes within Irish coaching structures this summer.

Summer league

1,100 TEAMS, comprising roughly 15,000 players, and 320 referees are involved in the IRFU's summer leagues across 24 venues. It's mainly made up of mixed teams with one point for a male try and three if a female dots down. To promote the competition the IRFU and sponsors Budweiser are selecting a team at random to face an All Star side selected by and including Donncha O'Callaghan.

This match will be refereed by Alain Rolland.

Trapattoni has stage to himself

A SUNDAY NEWSPAPER went front page yesterday with the story Munster's Heineken European Cup final against Toulouse on May 24th will be televised live on the Croke Park big screen to facilitate those attending Giovanni Trapattoni's first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland, against Serbia. There was also mention of the soccer match being delayed by 15 minutes to 7.45pm.

Turns out this is a non-runner. As stadium director Peter McKenna informed Planet Rugby, Sky Sports is not available at Jones's Road: "Our signal comes from a completely different source so it's not possible to show the Munster match."

It shouldn't hit the attendance though, as soccer and rugby die-hards go their separate ways.

McGeehan favourite

THE LIONS coach to tour South Africa in 2009 will be announced in London on Wednesday.

Ian McGeehan is favourite to lead a Wasps-heavy team in what would be a remarkable seventh tour - two as a player(1974 and 1977) and three as head coach (1989, 1993 and 1997) and as Clive Woodward's undefeated midweek coach in New Zealand in 2005.

Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland may also be included in the set-up for the 10 match, three-Test tour.

A mere 12 months ago, Eddie O'Sullivan, the Ireland coach at the time, was favourite for the position, but World Cup and Six Nations results put paid to his chances.

Lions chairman Andy Irvine (chairman), Gerald Davies (2009 tour manager), and chief executive John Feehan (of Old Wesley fame) will make the announcement.

Munster lose colours toss

MUNSTER LOST the toss to wear home jerseys for the Heineken Cup final in Cardiff so they will be in navy with white shorts, while Toulouse will be decked out in all red.

In another minor blow, their fixture against the All Blacks on November 18th at Thomond Park has lost some of its lustre as potentially all eight starting forwards could be unavailable, not to mention Ronan O'Gara, as Ireland face New Zealand at Croke Park three days earlier and Argentina on November 22nd.

Ulster not on solid ground

"MIKE GIBSON and Paddy Johns have both spoken to us this season about how mentally Ravenhill is our home and how we have to defend the try line like we are defending our home; it made such a difference to us last night when we were defending our line to hear the roar from the crowd."

Ulster's Matt McCullough after the Munster game last week. Sounds like the sports psychology brain of Matt Williams whirring into action but it didn't help much as Ulster lost 24-34 to Glasgow on Saturday. The Belfast venue has been sacked so many times this season that its once proud title of "Fortress Ravenhill" no longer holds much water.