Wood agrees deal to return

The IRFU confirmed yesterday that Irish hooker Keith Wood has agreed to take up a home-based National Contract and will play for Garryowen next season.

NEC Harlequins agreed to release Wood for one year and he will be contracted to the IRFU until June 2000 and will also be available to play for Munster

Wood, who has won 26 caps, missed the start of Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign last season because of a contractual dispute with the IRFU. But his return to Garryowen, the club he left to join Harlequins, has been welcomed by both himself and the IRFU.

"With the World Cup coming up, this will one of the most important seasons for Irish rugby," said Wood. "I'm delighted to be able to concentrate full time on the Irish scene and I'm looking forward as well to be back playing with my home club Garryowen."

The IRFU president, Bill Lavery, also expressed his delight on the move: "It's been our policy to provide the best structures and coaching facilities at home," he said. "The fact that a player of the calibre of Wood has now joined the influx home is further evidence of the appreciation by the players of the top class facilities the IRFU has placed at their disposal."

Wood's move follows similar decisions by David Humphrey's, Eric Miller and Allen Clarke to return to domestic rugby.