Western Province on Irish itinerary

Ireland will face new Currie Cup champions Western Province on next year's tour of South Africa. The itinerary has yet to be confirmed, but the countries will play two Test matches.

Western Province, who did not qualify for last season's Super 12, surprised some of their more illustrious rivals, including Orange Free State, whom they beat 14-12 in the final. Ireland are unlikely to face any other Super 12 teams on a tour that is due to begin in late May.

The Springboks will reciprocate by arriving on tour in Ireland in the autumn.

Of more pressing concern for the Irish team management is today's national squad session at the ALSAA complex. The same personnel who took part last week are expected to be present: there are no late withdrawals. But one person who will definitely not be present is Richard Wallace, casting doubt over his availability for selection for the clash with New Zealand at Lansdowne Road on November 15th.

The Saracens winger has been hampered by an ankle injury for over a month and was forced to postpone his intended comeback, when he withdrew from last night's friendly against Oxford University. He will not travel to Dublin today.

The Irish management are keen to give him every opportunity to prove his fitness for the All Black match, but unless he plays at the weekend, his chances of selection must be remote.

Prior to this setback, Wallace was in superb form for the London club. Indeed, in the match in which he sustained the ankle damage, he scored three tries. His absence would advance the claims of James Topping (Ballymena) and John McWeeney (St Mary's).

Wallace's is simply the latest in a legacy of injuries that have bedeviled Irish preparations: the casualty list includes David Corkery, Simon Geoghegan, Jeremy Davidson, Dylan O'Grady, Jim Staples and Jonathan Bell.

Quite when the team for the New Zealand match will be announced is still uncertain, although Sunday has been mooted. Team manager Pat Whelan and coach Brian Ashton are due to discuss several topics today, of which that is one.

Also on the agenda is the announcement of new squad contracts. Alan Quinlan (Shannon), Conor McGuinness (St Mary's), John McWeeney (St Mary's), Trevor Brennan (St Mary's), Kevin Nowlan (St Mary's) and Reggie Corrigan (Greystones) are the main protagonists.

Whelan and Ashton will also decide to which matches they will venture at the weekend. It is likely their choice will incorporate the game between London Irish and Newcastle at Sunbury.

Meanwhile, Sale out-half Simon Mannix has effectively had his hopes of playing for Ireland dashed, for a second time, while brother Tim's quest is only just beginning.

Simon, the 26-year-old former All Black, first considered his Irish connections last season, but attempts to qualify for this country failed to bear fruition. A secondary search, initiated by Whelan last week, effectively ended lingering doubts.

His Irish heritage may be traced to great-grandparents, one generation too distant to qualify for an adopted country. It will be especially disappointing for Ashton who watched, and spoke to, Mannix, following Sale's defeat by Harlequins at the weekend.

Ashton was impressed with the New Zealander, but unfortunately will not be able to call upon the talented out-half: brother, Tim, though, offers greater expectation of a successful outcome to the qualification process.

The tighthead prop/hooker played with the Wellington Hurricanes in the Super 12 last season and is a former All Black trialist (1994). At the behest of new coach Stephen Dods, he has joined Old Belvedere with the intention of spending the foreseeable future in Ireland, looking to qualify for the national side by virtue of the three-year residency rule.

Dods is also responsible for the arrival of his Wellington teammate, Murray Henderson (21), who carries an Irish passport. The six-foot five-inch second row played in last night's Smithwick's Floodlit Cup match, having arrived in the country seven days ago.

Henderson also expressed an intention to play for Ireland. Former Northern Transvaal out-half Robbie Rein has also joined the club, but is not eligible for All Ireland League duty.