Stoop to conquer

The Six Nations Championship is the preoccupation for most players coupled with their club interests and even though the season is only a few days into March the whiff of lucrative contracts and summer player movement is in the air. London Irish coach Dick Best's visit to court Brian O'Driscoll was a media topic over the weekend.

However what has yet to hit the headlines is that O'Driscoll is not alone in terms of being coveted. Best has intimated that he wishes to sign two or three high profile Irish players to confirm the identity of the club. O'Driscoll's Blackrock College team-mate Robert Casey is another name being bandied about.

The talented young second-rower is also rumoured to be high on Bath's shopping list this summer. The IRFU will be keen to nip in the bud any new exodus cross channel, particularly a drain of young talent in which they have invested heavily, in as much as they can given any individual's right to negotiate a contract with whomever he chooses.