Rugby Digest

A round-up of other rugby news in brief

Humphreys takes control

ULSTER: Ulster Rugby announced a new coaching structure yesterday in the wake of Matt Williams's premature return to Australia at the end of last season. David Humphreys will take control of rugby operations, including recruitment, with Brian McLaughlin named as head coach, reports Gavin Cummsikey.

Jeremy Davidson retains the role of assistant and forwards coach that he was initially due to take up under Williams. Australian Peter Sharp makes a more permanent move from rugby league as defence coach, while former Ulster scrumhalf Neil Doak becomes backs coach but will double-job with the Academy.

“Humphreys will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of team management and preparation, ensuring Ulster are prepared to a world-class level, and will work closely with the Head Coach on all aspects of training,” read a statement released by Ulster chief executive Michael Reid.

“The new structure will, for the first time, allow McLaughlin and his assistant coaches to focus on the on-field issues relating to the senior team, while Humphreys will drive Ulster’s attempts to produce a squad largely made up of home-grown players, supported by a small number of high profile players from overseas.”

Reid also stated that McLaughlin (50) will be in charge of team selection. To date, his most high profile appointment was as specialist skills coach in Eddie O’Sullivan’s international set-up from September 2005 to April 2008 but he also had successful tenures at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, the Irish under-21s and most recently Ballynahinch RFC.

Humphreys (38) has been a part of the Ulster operations set-up since retiring in 2008 and will report directly to Reid. Davidson recently returned to Belfast after a two-year stint as forwards coach with French Top 14 club Castres Olympique.

Lions not to blame for prices

LIONS TOUR: The British and Irish Lions have insisted they are not to blame for the high ticket prices that have led to disappointing attendances during their tour of South Africa. The first Test in Durban was not sold out and there are still tickets available for Saturday's second Test in Pretoria priced at €112, nearly three times more expensive than a Tri-Nations international.

The Lions tour matches against provincial opposition weakened by the absence of their Springbok players have been blighted by swathes of empty seats, with those tickets around five times more than a domestic Currie Cup match.

Lions chief executive John Feehan has faced a number of inquiries on the subject during meetings with various rugby stakeholders and yesterday outlined that the ticketing policy was down to the South African rugby authorities.

Australia back to full-strength

AUSTRALIA: The Wallabies will be back to full-strength after recalling their top players for Saturday's one-off Test against France at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

AUSTRALIA(v France): Ashley-Cooper, Turner, Mortlock (capt), Barnes, Mitchell, Giteau, Burgess, Brown, Smith, Mumm, Sharpe, Horwill, Baxter, Moore, Robinson. Replacements: Polota-Nau, Alexander, Waugh, Pocock, Valentine, Cross, OConnor.

Five new caps for All Blacks

NEW ZEALAND: Winger Lelia Masaga and prop Wyatt Crockett were among five uncapped players selected for New Zealand's one-off Test against Italy in Christchurch on Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND(v Italy): Muliaina (capt), Masaga, Toeava, Nonu, Rokocoko, McAlister, Leonard, Read, Latimer, Kaino, Williams, Thorn, Afoa, Mealamu, Crockett. Replacements: de Malmanche, Woodcock, Franks, Ross, Whitelock, Weepu, Jane.

Moylan leaves Shannon

SHANNON: In a surprise move yesterday it was confirmed that All Ireland League champions of last season, Shannon, have parted company with their coach, Geoff Moylan.

Shannon won a dramatic extra-time league final against Clontarf by virtue of scoring the first try. Moylan was deeply disappointed when told of the club’s decision.

Additional Test fixture

WALES: The New Zealand and Welsh Rugby Unions have confirmed an additional Test fixture to be held at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in November. The game will be played on Saturday, November 7th, kicking off at 5.15pm.