Declan Kidney wary of a South African backlash at Croke Park

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney believes South Africa’s disappointing run of results during their tour of Europe will make the Grand Slam champions an even bigger target for the Springboks in Saturday’s big Guinness Series international at Croke Park (2.30pm).


To date South Africa suffered defeat to France in a fiercely-competitive Test in Toulouse as well as to both Leicester and Saracens when not fielding full-strength sides.
The world champions did record a 32-10 victory over Italy last weekend and Declan Kidney is hoping to guide Ireland to an unbeaten year in 2009.
Coach Kidney said: “I regret the results South Africa have had on their tour. We are sort of lined up, really. The have beaten the Lions in their three-game series. They have won the Tri Nations.
“Not too many teams go to the South of France and win. That defeat to France then will be the one which will disappoint them.
“Mid-week matches, like the ones South Africa played against Leicester and Saracens, are hugely commercially attractive fixtures, but they are difficult for the touring sides because of the travelling and logistics involved. This is the last game’s of South Africa’s season. We know we are a bit of a target for them.
“I am sure, what their results so far on the tour have done, is target us even more.
“It would be a fine finish to their season, to beat us on our own patch.
“I think they will be well motivated on Saturday.”
The big talking point from Kidney’s team selection for Saturday was his surprise decision to name Jonathan Sexton at out-half instead of the vastly experienced Ronan O’Gara.
Otherwise Kidney has kept faith with the XV that drew 20-20 with Australia in Ireland’s autumn opener with Keith Earls replacing knee injury victim Luke Fitzgerald.
Ronan O’Gara will be 34 by the time the next World Cup arrives in 2011 and there has been a critical lack of depth at fly-half, until Sexton’s arrival.
The Springboks will offer a clearer picture of whether Sexton is the solution and Kidney admitted he needed to see him properly tested.
“I know we have a world-class outside-half in Ronan (O’Gara), but we have to find out things about ourselves,” Kidney said this week.
“Jonathan had a good game last week, but with respect Fiji were short of a few so it was difficult to read. I need to find out more.
“Ronan is disappointed, but is the perfect pro. He’s taken it on the chin, has continued training and has contributed to the team exactly as he would normally.
“It was a difficult call, but that doesn’t really matter. My job is to pick an Ireland team and that’s what I’ve done.”
There was disappointment for Limerick scrum-half Eoin Reddan who was not included in the match day 22 for the big game.
Munster scrum-half Peter Stringer was named among the replacements instead of Leinster star Reddan who started last week’s tie against Fiji at the RDS.

IRELAND TEAM
Rob Kearney (Leinster); Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O’Driscoll (Capt) (Leinster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster), Keith Earls (Munster); Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Tomas O’Leary (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster); Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), David Wallace (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: Sean Cronin (Connacht), Tony Buckley (Munster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Ronan O’Gara (Munster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster).

Colm Kinsella

FAI release Italian tickets

The Football Association of Ireland has announced that it will pre-release a limited number of seats for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Italy at tonight’s international friendly against South Africa in Thomond Park (kick-off 7.30pm) - the tickets will be available for one night only for supporters at Thomond Park before going on general sale from mid-September.


Meanwhile tickets are still available for tonight’s game against South Africa from Gleeson Sports Scene (Mahon House, 25 Upper William Street, Limerick) and the Thomond Park ticket office. Tickets are priced - schoolboy €7, North and South Terrace €20, East and West Terrace €30, East and West Stand €40, Child Stand ticket €20.
Slightly more than 19,400 soccer fans turned up to see the Republic of Ireland lose three-nil to Australia mere weeks ago at Thomond Park.
After goals from Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle in Nicosia on Saturday propelled Ireland to a priceless three points in their 2-1 win over Cyprus Giovanni Trapattoni allowed Irish stars Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane and Kevin Kilbane to return to their clubs.
In addition Stephen Hunt has returned home for personal reasons, Glasgow Celtic’s Darren O’Dea has joined the squad while Aiden McGeady and John O’Shea also departed the squad last evening.
Wolves’ striker Kevin Doyle will captain the side tonight which features eight changes from the team which started against Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday in the crucial World Cup qualifier.
The Ireland starting team to face South Africa is: Keiren Westwood (Coventry City); Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Sean St. Ledger (Preston North End), Paul McShane (Hull City), Eddie Nolan (Preston North End); Liam Lawrence (Stoke City), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Keith Andrews (Blackburn Rovers), Andy Keogh (Wolves); Kevin Doyle (Wolves - captain), Caleb Folan (Hull City).

Brian McDonnell

Ireland return to Thomond Park next Tuesday

GIOVANNI’S Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland return to Thomond Park on Tuesday, September 8 next when they face South Africa at the Limerick venue (kick-off 7.30pm).
Despite suffering a heavy three-nil defeat at the hands of Australia Giovanni Trapattoni has named an identical squad ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Cyprus - the 24-man squad will also stand for the national side’s friendly against South Africa at Thomond Park next Tuesday.


The Republic of Ireland face Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday, September 5 knowing a positive result would edge them closer to qualification - the Republic of Ireland currently lie second in group eight and remain unbeaten during their campaign.
A win in Nicosia would see the Irish end the Cypriots’ hopes of reaching the play-offs - the hosts are currently eight points behind Ireland, but with a game in hand.
The Republic of Ireland won the reverse fixture at Croke Park in October when Robbie Keane’s goal in the fifth minute proved the difference between the sides.
The friendly against South Africa will pit Giovanni Trapattoni’s men against the hosts of next summer’s tournament with the Irish manager keen to give some fringe members of his squad game time at Thomond Park.
As expected the Football Association of Ireland have revised their ticket-pricing structure for the up-coming international friendly at Thomond Park.
For the game against South Africa tickets, including a family-friendly children’s ticket, went on sale on August 24 - tickets will are available from the following outlets: www.fai.ie, Gleeson Sports Scene, Mahon House, 25 Upper William Street, Limerick and the Thomond Park ticket office. Tickets will be priced - schoolboy €7, North and South Terrace €20, East and West Terrace €30, East and West Stand €40, Child Stand ticket (under-16) €20. South Africa will include a number of well-known players in their squad, such as Benni McCarthy of Blackburn, Steven Pienaar of Everton and Aaron Mokoena of Portsmouth.
The Bafana Bafana will play Ireland three days after taking on Germany in Munich on September 5, the same day as Ireland’s World Cup qualifier in Cyprus.
Slightly more than 19,400 soccer fans turned up to see the Republic of Ireland lose three-nil to Australia mere weeks ago at Thomond Park.
Ireland were completely out-classed on the night when Pim Verbeek’s side stroked the ball effortlessly across a pristine Thomond Park and threatened Shay Given’s goal at will - two first half strikes from Tim Cahill and a late David Carney effort from 30 yards gave Australia their deserved win.

Squad: Shay Given, Kieren Westwood, Joe Murphy, John O’Shea, Kevin Foley, Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly, Kevin Kilbane, Eddie Nolan, Sean St Ledger, Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Liam Miller, Stephen Hunt, Andy Keogh, Liam Lawrence, Caleb Folan, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Shane Long & Leon Best.

Brian McDonnell

FAI revise ticket prices for friendly with South Africa

AS expected the Football Association of Ireland have revised their ticket pricing structure for the up-coming international friendly at Thomond Park.
Last week FAI CEO John Delaney admitted that ticket prices for the Republic of Ireland’s clash with Australia at Thomond Park were too high while he also indicated that the pricing structure would be revised for the friendly against South Africa on Tuesday, September 8.


“Well, we got 19,400 in and I know when Ireland played a rugby game there against Canada they got 19,000 in,” John Delaney said.
“But I think we have to be more flexible on the pricing for the South Africa game.
“I think we have to look at a more family-orientated price as well. I think we probably got a little learning off that, to be honest. But still, 19,400 was a good turnout and, in terms of the overall running of the organisation, the difference between playing at home and playing an away friendly, along with the TV monies we get from Sky, it’s a significant profit for the organisation.
“In the wider context of the week, too, about 7,000 people saw the training in St Michael’s and, with all the openings that we did, there is a long-term legacy out of what we have done down here this week.”
Of the official 19,428 attendance on Wednesday, August 12 2,000 complimentary tickets were circulated while another 2,000 were sold to schoolboys priced at just €7. The terrace tickets, priced at €25 and €35, sold out, leaving at least 6,000 of the €55 stand tickets unsold.
For the same against South Africa tickets, including a family friendly children’s ticket, will go on sale from next Monday, August 24 - tickets will be made available from the following outlets: www.fai.ie, Gleeson Sports Scene, Mahon House, 25 Upper William Street, Limerick and the Thomond Park ticket office. Tickets will be priced - schoolboy €7, North and South Terrace €20, East and West Terrace €30, East and West Stand €40, Child Stand ticket (under-16) €20.
South Africa will host next summer’s World Cup and will include a number of well-known players in their squad, such as Benni McCarthy of Blackburn, Steven Pienaar of Everton and Aaron Mokoena of Portsmouth.
The Bafana Bafana will play Ireland three days after taking on Germany in Munich on September 5, the same day as Ireland’s World Cup qualifier in Cyprus. The friendly against South Africa will provide a good opportunity for Giovanni Trapattoni’s players to get another game under their belts in preparation for the decisive Group 8 clash with current world champions Italy, in Croke Park.
Giovanni Trapattoni will name his squad to play Cyprus and South Africa this Friday, August 21.
Meanwhile the Limerick District League returns to action this evening.
Pike Rovers, who have won the Premier League title for the past two years, take on Kilmallock at the Pike Club - kick-off is 6.30pm. While that is the only District League fixture taking place today several games are down for decision tomorrow night while a full programme of action is scheduled for this weekend.
Sean Hehir Bookmakers have installed Pike Rovers as hot favourites to win their third consecutive league title.
The Hoops, who saw off the challenge of second-placed Fairview Rangers with five points to spare last season, are priced at 3/1 while their nearest rivals, Fairview Rangers, are 9/2.
The next likely league contenders Janesboro (7/1) and Regional United (9/1) do look strong this season, but many expect the battle between Pike Rovers and Fairview Rangers to reach epic proportions.
The first really big game of the season takes place this Sunday when Fairview Rangers host Regional United at the Fairgreen (10.30am).
Although Regional United finished fourth last season they have made some significant signings and could yet exact a big influence on the final destination of the 2009-10 Kilmurry Lodge Premier League title.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

Munster hope to seal the Jean De Villiers deal

MUNSTER rugby chiefs are expecting to learn whether South African centre Jean De Villiers will join the province within the next fortnight.
The double Heineken Cup champions are hoping to acquire the services of the highly-rated Stormers and Springbok centre for the coming season. De Villiers, who didn’t feature in the South African side in Saturday’s third Test against the Lions, is seen as a natural replacement for the departed Rua Tipoki.
Reports emanating from South Africa indicate that the 28-year-old de Villiers plans to discuss his future with both the Western Province and South African management teams later this week before indicating his next move.
Jean De Villiers agent Stan Matthews indicated that while the international centre had been approached by Munster over a move to the Magners League holders he had yet to make a decision.
Matthews also revealed that De Villiers had received an offer from a French club.
Meanwhile Lions skipper Paul O’Connell said he was proud of the way his side responded to the disappointment of losing the second Test with the last kick of the game in Pretoria to win the third and final Test on Saturday.
The Lions’ 28-9, three tries to nil victory, ended a run of eight Tests without a victory and stopped the current tourists becoming the first side to suffer a series whitewash in South Africa.
It was the Irish lock’s first win in a Test at the sixth attempt with the Lions and he rightly came in for some special praise from legendary coach McGeechan.
Paul O’Connell said: “We wallowed a bit for two or three days after the game in Pretoria. We started talking a lot about the shirt. We talked about guys getting their first Lions cap and guys possibly getting their last.
“The guys are very conscious of the Lions ethos and wanted to do it proud.
“It was a very tough week mentally for everyone.
“By the end of the week we rallied. We just really dug deep. Some guys produced some serious form and produced some great scores.
“But I started thinking straight away after the final whistle that after we get over enjoying this we might be filled with regret.
“Sport can be cruel.
“I hope people don’t misconstrue our lap of honour.
“We’re under no illusions that we lost the Test series.
“But a lot of people paid a lot of money to come out here, we wanted to thank them.
“I must say congratulations to the Springboks. They won the series we both wanted.
“But what these players have achieved in just six weeks should not be underestimated. They have played the world champions in their own back yard and given as good as they have got for three Tests.
“This victory will last for four years.”
Lions’ head coach Ian McGeechan paid a warm tribute to captain O’Connell for his contribution during the course of the tour.
“Paul did a fantastic job. He’s been a great captain and has led the side magnificently,” said McGeechan.
“He’s been very good with the players and tied in with the senior players in setting the right standards. He has been an outstanding captain.”

Colm Kinsella

O’Connell backs pride of Lions for final South African test

CAPTAIN Paul O’Connell is backing his pride of Lions to produce another passionate display in their final Test clash with South Africa at Coca Cola Park, Johannesburg on Saturday.


This weekend’s third Test provides an opportunity for O’Connell’s men to salvage something from the Castle Lager Series and head home with their heads held high. World champions South Africa secured the Test series win with a dramatic 28-25 victory over the tourists on Saturday.
“I’m proud of how the lads performed over the past two weeks and I think we were very unlucky. That just gives us some positivity to take into the third Test,” said O’Connell, who has now played five Tests for the Lions without tasting victory.
“We can’t escape from the fact we are going into the game 2-0 down in the series, and that’s disappointing because we came here to win. I believe we can replicate the passion and intensity of Loftus Versfeld once again and we are certainly enthusiastic to do that. There isn’t everything riding on the fixture as there was last weekend, but it’s another chance to wear the Lions Test jersey. We all want to win in the Lions jersey and there is a massive respect within the squad for what the Lions means.
“For me and a lot of the guys, passion and emotion still plays a massive part in the game and we’ll be looking to bring everything we can to the last Test. We are eager to prove ourselves because we don’t believe that being 2-0 down is a true reflection of where we are as a team.”
Lock O’Connell believes his Munster team-mate Ronan O’Gara will bounce back strongly from the disappointment of conceding the crucial last gasp penalty which handed South Africa the chance to win last weekend’s second Test in Pretoria.
“Ronan (O’Gara) is disappointed and very low, but he’s a tough guy mentally - that’s his biggest strength.
“What happened in the second Test won’t be lost on him, but the tough guys bounce back and Ronan is one of them. When you keep putting yourself out there for selection in the big games these things happen.
“Our careers aren’t always up, up, up. We should have been away and the game should have been over by that stage and we all have bad days.
“Ronan has had many brilliant days, where he has won games single-handedly, and I’m lucky enough to have won a few medals because of his brilliance. I don’t think I would have any of them if it wasn’t for him. He’s extremely disappointed and, no doubt, he will beat himself up over it, but he will bounce back.”
Meanwhile Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has launched a plea for the British & Irish Lions to be given the time to prepare properly for future tours so they remain competitive against the three Southern Hemisphere rugby giants.
Ian McGeechan believes the current trip to South Africa has resulted in ‘some of the best rugby ever’, despite his side’s series defeat.
McGeechan believes officials from the home unions and domestic competitions must adjust the season for future Lions tours.
McGeechan would like to see the Lions given the same priority as a World Cup.
“If they give the Lions a fair crack, the Test series will always be very meaningful,” McGeechan said.
“I just wish more of these people who don’t want to make time for the Lions would actually come out and experience a tour. I don’t think they understand the impact.”
The Lions’ hopes of a first Test victory in eight outings - an unwanted record dating back to Brisbane 2001 - are affected by injuries.
Gethin Jenkins (fractured cheekbone), Adam Jones (dislocated shoulder) and Brian O’Driscoll (concussion) are all out of the game.

South Africa v British & Irish Lions
Third Test: Saturday, July 4,
Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 2pm (Irish time)
TV: Live Sky Sports 1 from 1.30pm
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Colm Kinsella

Hayes starts against the Emerging Springboks

CAPPAMORE’S John Hayes, who only joined the British & Irish Lions squad late last week, has been parachuted straight into the tourist’s side to face the Emerging Springboks today at Newlands in Cape Town (kick-off 6.10pm).
Ronan O’Gara will captain the side which also includes Munster colleagues Donncha O’Callaghan and Keith Earls with flanker David Wallace named on the bench.
The clash with the Emerging Springboks represents the Lions’ final mid-week fixture of their 10-match tour and comes just four days before the second Test against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday - head coach Ian McGeechan is due to name his Test team on Thursday.
Dr. James Robson, who leads the tourists’ medical team, was thrilled with Munster’s John Hayes explaining on Sunday that “the good news is that John Hayes is fit. He arrived yesterday and looks in good fettle.”
Ronan O’Gara has become the fifth different player to captain the Lions following Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll, Phil Vickery and Donncha O’Callaghan while the Cork man leads a side which contains six players who were involved in Saturday’s 21-26 Test defeat against the world champions. Test replacements Donncha O’Callaghan and Martyn Williams both start while line-up members Ugo Monye, Lee Mears, Phil Vickery and David Wallace are all on the bench. Hayes, who has replaced ankle injury victim Euan Murray, will join England’s Tim Payne in the front row.
And, the Munster legend is still in with a shout to face the Springboks in Pretoria next weekend. Last Saturday, during the first eight scrums, the Lions conceded three penalties and shipped nine points as a direct result which surely opens the door to a complete re-structuring of the front-row for the second Test.
Commenting on the team selection head coach Ian McGeechan said: “There were many positives that came out of the Test match on Saturday.
“The Emerging Springboks match, and our training this week, will allow us to build on these plus address areas we know we need to improve on.
“There is still a lot to play for and the players are well aware of that.
“The mood in camp is still very positive due to the fact that we did come very close to winning on Saturday and the fact that we created so many scoring opportunities.
“The players are well aware of the importance of the match against the Emerging Springboks. We need to step up our performance against a talented outfit whose players, like ours, will be determined to show that they are worthy of a Test place. It should be a great match.
“The two latest squad members Tim Payne and John Hayes will start against the Emerging Springboks to give them immediate field time.
“This is important in terms of the balance of the squad as three of our other props played in the Test match only two days ago and Andrew Sheridan is recovering from injury.”

British & Irish Lions versus the Emerging Springboks: Keith Earls (Ireland), Shane Williams (Wales), Riki Flutey (England), Gordon D’Arcy (Ireland), Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland), Ronan O’Gara (Ireland), Harry Ellis (England), Tim Payne (England), Ross Ford (Scotland), John Hayes (Ireland), Donncha O’Callaghan (Ireland), Nathan Hines (Scotland), Joe Worsley (England), Martyn Williams (Wales) & Andy Powell (Wales).
Replacements: Lee Mears (England), Phil Vickery (England), Simon Shaw (England), David Wallace (Ireland), Mike Blair (Scotland), James Hook (Wales) & Ugo Monye (England).

Brian McDonnell

O’Connell criticises refereeing decisions

ALTHOUGH heartened by the British & Irish Lions stirring fight-back against South Africa in Durban on Saturday captain Paul O’Connell has reacted angrily to the performance of New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence.
The tourists lost 21-26 to the Springboks, but not before Lawrence penalized Phil Vickery five times for standing up in the scrum or binding incorrectly which eventually forced the withdrawal of the Englishman.
The entire Lions pack, including Munster’s Paul O’Connell, felt aggrieved by those decisions.


“The scrums were disappointing because we had so many penalties, especially in good attacking situations,” O’Connell explained.
“That’s something we have to look at. The referee said Phil was constantly boring in, but I didn’t think so.
“Phil is a very experienced prop who has played rugby at the top for a long time.
“Why he would make the same mistake at four or five scrums is beyond me.”
Those penalties helped South Africa into a 26-7 lead early in the second half before Adam Jones replaced Vickery and the Lions scored 14 unanswered points to set up a grand finale.
“When we played rugby, we were very good,” Paul O’Connell insisted.
“We opened them up and we have just got to keep doing that. I think we ran out of time. But when the ref gives that many penalties against you, you don’t really stand a chance. It was just penalty, after penalty, after penalty.
“It’s going to be difficult now, but there is still a lot of belief there. When we played how we wanted to play, we did very well and created lots of scoring opportunities. I think the guys will be looking forward to next week.”
The second Test takes place at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, the nation’s capital, next Saturday.
And, with the Lions heartened by their second half display in Durban - it was truly extraordinary to see the South Africans relieved to hoof the ball into the stands after the world champions held on for a five-point win - Ian McGeechan’s side will hope for a more positive result in Pretoria.
The Lions also have to contend with a mid-week game against the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday in Cape Town (2pm, Sky Sports) before traveling to Pretoria on Friday - Cappamore’s John Hayes, who was called up to replace Scotland’s Euan Murray on Thursday, has now joined the touring party.
Although Ian McGeechan’s men won all six of their warm-up games Saturday’s defeat means the Lions have now lost six Tests in-a-row since beating Australia in the first match of the 2001 series in Brisbane.
The final two tests, both of which will be played at altitude, take place in Pretoria and Johannesburg - never before have the Lions won Tests at both venues on the same tour.
Meanwhile Munster forward John O’Sullivan has signed a two-year deal with French second-tier club Agen. The 28-year-old, who can play in all three back-row positions, spent four seasons with the two-time European champions, making 33 Magners League and three Heineken Cup appearances.
The Tralee man joined Munster in 2005 after spell with Connacht.
O’Sullivan was released from his Munster contract at the end of the 2008-09 season, but now resumes his professional rugby-playing career in France.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

Paul O’Connell closes in on his crowning glory

WITH Saturday’s first test against the world champions mere days away Limerick rugby legend Paul O’Connell is closing in on his crowning glory - his chance to lead the British & Irish Lions out against South Africa in Durban on Saturday (2pm, Sky Sports).
All the guessing games will come to an end tomorrow (Thursday) at lunch time when Ian McGeechan will name his match day 22 to face the Springboks.
The British & Irish Lions, with Limerick’s Keith Earls featuring at full-back, completed the build-up to their first test with a hard-fought 20-8 win over the Southern Kings in the Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.


Although the Lions’ 12-point winning margin would suggest otherwise the clash with the Southern Kings proved a bruising encounter.
And, Ian McGeechan is counting the cost with Euan Murray (ankle) and James Hook (concussion) now listed as doubtful for Saturday’s battle with the South Africans.
The Lions struggled for long periods against the Southern Kings and were grateful for a penalty try which allowed the touring side a little breathing room late in the second half.
Munster’s Donncha O’Callaghan captained the side and although David Wallace was named on the bench he played no part in Tuesday’s game in Port Elizabeth.
Ronan O’Gara, who was outstanding when introduced as a replacement in the 12th minute, drew the sides level at three points apiece before pushing the Lions into a three-point lead with another penalty just after the break. The Munster out-half then picked out winger Ugo Monye with a superb cross-field kick for the Lions’ first try which the Cork man also converted. Referee Nigel Owens awarded a penalty try against the Southern Kings in the 68th minute for infringements at the scrum and O’Gara converted to give the tourists a seventeen-point lead (20-3) entering the final minutes. The Kings did score a late try, but such resistance proved futile.
The Irish fly-half also pulled off a superb try-saving tackle on the Southern Kings’ Wylie Human after the Lions defence had been initially shredded at a crucial juncture in the game. Referee Nigel Owens also sin-binned two Southern Kings players - fly-half Van der Westhuyzen and Ross Skeate.
Having played twice previously in the centre for the Lions Keith Earls was, this time, handed the full-back role. The Limerick man sliced through the Southern Kings’ defence on occasion, but it is unknown at this point whether Earls’ display, allied to his try-scoring performance in Bloemfontein on Saturday, was enough to force his way into the test side.
It’s interesting to note that 12 probable test starters, including captain Paul O’Connell, had already flown north up the coast and watched the game against the Southern Kings from a safe distance. Ian McGeechan is taking no chances with his side to face the South Africans in the first test.
Although McGeechan has long insisted that the match day 22 for Saturday would not be selected until after the game against the Southern Kings the evidence would suggest that the wily Scot has already settled on the majority of his starting XV.
The second (June 27 in Pretoria) and third (July 4 in Johannesburg) tests against the South Africans will be played at altitude and if the tourists are to have a reasonable chance of series success they must beat the Springboks on Saturday.
And, since the South African players have not played any practice matches of note (the Springboks, without their Super 14-winning Blue Bulls core, had one outing against Namibia) now is the time for the Lions to pounce.
The British & Irish Lions starting team however will be crucial and the areas of most debate for the Lions management team appear to centre around numbers three, four, six, 10 and 11.
Wales’ Lee Byrne is expected to start at full-back while Tommy Bowe and Ugo Monye have been touted to join Byrne in the back three - Luke Fitzgerald is pushing hard for inclusion in this sector while Shane Williams’ loss of form appears to have ruled out the 2008 World Player of the Year.
Although Keith Earls will hope to be included in the match day 22 Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts are expected to form a partnership in midfield. At half-back Stephen Jones had appeared to represent a fait accompli at fly-half alongside scrum-half Mike Phillips, but Ronan O’Gara’s brilliant performance against the Southern Kings has certainly given the management an alternative to seriously consider. The concussion incurred by James Hook on Tuesday should rule the Welshman out and at the very least O’Gara should be named on the bench.
Up front props Gethin Jenkins and Phil Vickery look likely to partner hooker Lee Mears in the front-row while Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones is now favourite to partner Paul O’Connell in the second row. Scotland’s Nathan Hines, England’s Simon Shaw and Ireland’s Donncha O’Callaghan are all vying for the number four shirt while Tom Croft and Jamie Heaslip are favoured to start in the back-row. Martyn Williams’ performance on Saturday could threaten David Wallace’s place in the starting XV.
On Tuesday evening the Springboks sprung a surprise when South Africa named their starting XV for Saturday’s first test and included Heinrich Brussow in place of the injured Schalk Burger (calf) - the Cheetahs flanker, who was called into the squad less than 24 hours before being named on the team, will start at blindside flanker. Morne Steyn, the stand-out fly-half from the Super 14, is the only uncapped player in the match 22 but will have to wait for his debut with the disputed number 10 jersey going to Ruan Pienaar.
The other contested position, full-back, went to Frans Steyn, while the rest of the squad, which will be led by John Smit is packed with experience.
South Africa: F. Steyn (Sharks), J.P. Pietersen (Sharks), A. Jacobs (Sharks), J. de Villiers (Stormers), B. Habana (Bulls), R. Pienaar (Sharks), F. du Preez (Bulls); T. Mtawarira (Sharks), B. du Plessis (Sharks), J. Smit (Sharks), B. Botha (Bulls), V. Matfield (Bulls), H. Brussow (Cheetahs), J. Smith (Cheetahs), P. Spies (Bulls).

Brian McDonnell

Trapattoni relishes Limerick visit

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is eagerly-looking forward to his side’s clash with Australia in Thomond Park.
On Sunday afternoon Giovanni Trapattoni, along with FAI CEO John Delaney, visited Gleeson Sports Scene in Limerick city to launch 1,000 pre-release tickets for the match against the Socceroos on Wednesday, August 12 (kick-off 7.30pm).
“I am looking forward to returning to Limerick in August to play Australia,” Giovanni Trapattoni told Leader Sport.
“The game will be a good opportunity to prepare for the important World Cup qualifier against Cyprus on September 5.
“I hope it will give everyone in the mid-west an opportunity to get behind the team against a highly-rated Australian side. Limerick is a very nice place. It’s important to us to play well, to show people what our football is about and to get more kids in the region playing football.
“We believe that the facilities are there, the stadium is really good and we believe that the fans will come to the stadium for this occasion.
“This will give the fans an opportunity to watch us. Until now they have only been able to see us on television and we wanted to change that.
“We hope people will come and join us in Thomond Park.”
Trapattoni made an appearance in Limerick following the Republic of Ireland’s one-all draw in Sofia on Saturday night - a result which should at the very least secure a World Cup play-off spot for Ireland while it also ended Bulgaria’s qualification hopes.
The Republic now trail group leaders Italy by a point while the Italians hold a game in hand over Ireland.
Ireland’s next competitive fixture is against away to Cyprus on Sept. 5 and Giovanni Trapattoni will use the game against Australia at Thomond Park as a warm-up for that critical encounter. The Republic will play a second international friendly against South Africa on Tuesday, September 8 in Thomond Park before they complete their qualifying campaign against Italy and Montenegro.
Pim Verbeek’s Australian side became the second team, mere hours after Japan, to qualify for the World Cup on Saturday following their nil-all draw away to Qatar - the Australians remain unbeaten in their 2010 campaign and should feature players like Scott McDonald (Celtic), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray) and Tim Cahill (Everton) for their visit to Limerick. The game against Australia respresents the first time the Irish senior team has ever played in Limerick and will be the first meeting of the sides since 2003 when the Irish beat the Socceroos 2-1 at Lansdowne Road.
The Republic of Ireland have clashed with South Africa on one previous occasion - nine years ago (2000) Ireland beat the Bafana Bafana in New Jersey. South Africa are coached by Brazil’s Joel Santana, will feature players like Blackburn’s Benni McCarthy and as hosts of the 2010 World Cup will become the African nation to host the World Cup.
FAI CEO John Delaney is confident that the national association can sell out both games at Thomond Park: “The idea of coming down here is to promote the games in the mid-west. We’ve had a huge reaction to them. The reaction to the games has been very, very strong. I think we’ll have a full house for both games.
“On the back of the result against Bulgaria there is momentum there. You can feel it everywhere you go. There’s a positive vibe there now.


“The game against South Africa in September will be more difficult to sell. Everyone will want to be at the first game against Australia.
“But I think, if Giovanni introduces new players to the team for the game against South Africa, people will be interested in seeing those new players play. The squad is evolving and after a competitive game against Cyprus Giovanni will be trying out players against South Africa, but I still expect that to be an exciting game. This is a great opportunity for the fans to see international football in Limerick and it should be a great occasion.”
To mark Giovanni Trapattoni’s visit to Limerick the FAI have launched 1,000 €25 pre-release tickets which will be available exclusively from Gleeson Sports Scene (25 upper William Street, Limerick) from Monday, June 8 - these pre-release tickets are limited and are expected to sell quickly.
Tickets will go on public sale at the end of June through ticketmaster.ie, through Gleeson Sports Scene in Limerick city and through a selection of ticketmaster outlets in the Munster region.
Details of these outlets will be published shortly on fai.ie. Tickets will be made available at €25 (North and South terrace), €35 (East and West terrace) and €55 (East and West stands) while 2,000 €7 tickets will be made available for schoolboy and schoolgirl clubs throughout the country.

Brian McDonnell

Munster Lions join McGeechan’s squad in Surrey

MUNSTER’S Lions are due in England today to begin a pre-tour training camp in Surrey ahead of the squad departure to South Africa on Sunday next - the five Munster Lions on Ian McGeechan’s squad who played in the province’s 36-10 Magners League victory over the Ospreys at Thomond Park on Friday night came through the game unscathed.
David Wallace, who bagged two tries, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Lions skipper Paul O’Connell contributed handsomely to the victory over the Welsh visitors. Hooker Jerry Flannery, who was not involved in the win, is also set to join up with the Lions squad in Surrey.
A decision will be made later today on whether flanker Alan Quinlan will appeal his 12-week suspension which puts his participation in the Lions tour in serious doubt.
Quinlan was banned until 9 September after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of making contact with the eye area of Leinster’s Leo Cullen in the sides’ Heineken Cup semi-final.
Quinlan was in Thomond Park on Friday night as Munster received the Magners League trophy following the game against the Ospreys.
Munster and Lions skipper O’Connell said it was important the side put on a big performance in their final home game of the season.
“I’ve been training away for two weeks since we got knocked out of the Heineken Cup semi-final, but it’s great for my match fitness to play.
“You can’t get that without games,” Paul O’Connell said.
“It was a fabulous reception from the fans and we’ve got a great home crowd here.
“They will have felt the disappointment of two weeks ago so it was very important to put on a big performance.
“By and large, I thought it was a good performance.
“It was a great to play and a really tough game especially in the first half before we cut loose in the second half.”
Friday night’s game was an emotional one for several Munster players who are now departing the province.
These players include Frankie Sheahan, Anthony Horgan, Mike Prendergast, Federico Pucciariello, Rua Tipoki, John O’Sullivan and Kieran Lewis.
Munster have also received the ‘Best Supported Team’ award in this season’s Magners League. The province sold more than 160,000 tickets for their nine home Magners League games this season, five of which were staged at Thomond Park and four at Musgrave Park.
Munster’s average ticket sales reached almost 18,000, moving the province into the top three best-supported teams in European rugby leagues.
Just Stade Francais and Toulouse attract more supporters to their home domestic league games.
Meanwhile Declan Kidney’s Ireland side, who face Canada and the USA in full internationals in Vancouver and California respectively over the next two weekends, will play three home games in the Guinness November series later this year.
Ireland will face Australia at Croke Park on Sunday, November 15 at 3pm, before hosting Fiji at the RDS on Saturday, November 21 at 5.15pm.
Ireland then complete their programme of November matches when World champions South Africa visit Croke Park on Saturday, November 28 at 2.30pm.

Colm Kinsella

FAI address schoolboy controversy

PETER Sherard, the FAI Director of Communications, has insisted that an allocation of schoolboy tickets will be made available for the Republic of Ireland's upcoming international friendlies at Thomond Park.
The Republic will face Australia on Wednesday, August 12 and South Africa on Tuesday, September 8.
Although FAI CEO John Delaney had announced that schoolboy tickets would be made available at a cost of €7 for both those games Limerick clubs had feared that the national association would not honour that commitment.


The controversy erupted when the FAI circulated ticket order forms to the schoolboy leagues which made no reference to a provision for schoolboy applications in April - the prices quoted on that order form for both international friendlies were: €55 (stand), €35 (terrace) and €25 (terrace).
Speaking to Leader Sport the FAI's Director of Communications Peter Sherard described the suggestion that schoolboy tickets would not be made available for both games at Thomond Park as "nonsense".
Indeed Sherard insists that the FAI had budgeted for 2,000 schoolboy tickets in February and that each schoolboy league will be given an opportunity, six or seven weeks before the games, to apply for schoolboy tickets.
"Six of seven weeks before the games in Thomond Park," Peter Sherard explained, "application forms will be forwarded to the schoolboy league secretaries.
"Two thousand tickets are available and always have been available for the games.
"Both games will be tremendous occasions and are something everyone in Limerick should be looking forward to."
Although the secretary of the District Schoolboy League, Gerry McCormack, has welcomed Peter Sherard's comments on the matter he remains annoyed by the manner in which the schoolboy ticket allocation has been handled by the FAI.
"They are saying now that there are and always have been schoolboy tickets available for both international matches at Thomond Park," Gerry McCormack told Leader Sport, "but if that's the case why are the ticket office saying there are no schoolboy tickets available?
"If that is the case why did the FAI send out order forms to the schoolboy leagues which made no reference at all to schoolboy tickets?"
On receipt on an order form for tickets in April, an order form which had to be completed and returned to the FAI by the end of April, Gerry McCormack contacted the FAI ticket office to enquire about the availability of schoolboy tickets.
The individual Gerry McCormack spoke to said that no schoolboy tickets would go on sale for the clashes with Australia and South Africa in Thomond Park.
"After an article appeared in a national paper (the Irish Mail highlighted the issue)," added Mr. McCormack, "I was contacted by an FAI official about the matter.
"He insisted that there would be 2,000 tickets available and that those tickets were always available for the games in Thomond Park, but when I asked him when those tickets would be available and how we apply for them he wasn't able to answer me. The FAI only reacted when something appeared in the national press. Several clubs have been in contact with me and to say they are disappointed with the situation would be an understatement. I phoned the ticket office myself and they said there were no tickets available. The FAI say that was a mistake, but they must correct that mistake."
It is hoped that the confusion surrounding this issue will be cleared up as soon as possible. The provision of schoolboy tickets for international games has been a long-standing tradition associated with Irish soccer while two high profile international friendlies in Thomond Park provide administrators of the game in Limerick with an opportunity to promote the game in the mid-west.
Although the FAI had discussed basing their preparations for both games at UL the team will train at St. Michael's FC (Tipperary Town) and stay at the Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort.
More event information will be made available closer to the match dates on both fai.ie and thomondpark.ie.

Brian McDonnell