NEWS ROUND-UP:ARGENTINA WILL complete a six-nation Churchill Cup line-up in North America this June. They will join Ireland A, Canada, USA, England Saxons and Scotland A at the tournament which runs from June 7th-21st.
The first two rounds of matches will take place in Canada, with the final day being staged in Chicago. The Pumas last appeared in the tournament in 2005 and will send what amounts to an A side, having been invited to take the place vacated by the New Zealand Maori.
Meanwhile, Johne Murphy has signed a new contract with the Leicester Tigers, expected to keep him at Welford Road for another two seasons. The 23-year-old initially came to Leicester for a two-week trial during the 2005/06 season and has made 44 first-team appearances since making his debut against Harlequins in September 2006.
Murphy, who has been capped at A international level, enthused: "I've loved my time with Tigers so far. They looked after me when I injured my knee when I first came to the club and they've shown a lot of loyalty towards me. I'm really enjoying playing here, as well as my life outside of rugby. I've made friends for life in Leicester and I'm not pushed to be moving on."
Murphy has missed just three of Tigers' 28 games this season.
Coach Marcelo Loffreda welcomed the player's decision. "I'm very pleased that Johne has signed a new contract. It's good news for the club. He has been in very impressive form this season and we think he has a bright future. "
Another young Irishman at Leicester, Ian Humphreys, could soon be on his way back to Ulster as he is believed to be a target for new coach Matt Williams. Ian is the younger brother of Ulster icon, David Humphreys, who retires at the end of the season.
Given that Juan Martin Hernandez is likely to switch from Stade Français to Leicester during the summer and Andy Goode's excellent recent form, Humphreys' opportunities at Welford Road are likely to be limited.
Ulster are also reported to be trying to negotiate a deal with 28-year-old South African World Cup-winning prop BJ Botha (Natal Sharks), who could be Williams first new signing.
Meanwhile, the interview process for the position as assistant coach to Michael Cheika at Leinster is expected to begin next week with the province having finalised a short list of interviewees. Leinster are also negotiating deals for next season with a tighthead prop, back five player in the pack and utility back, all of whom will come from abroad.
• St Mary's College face Clontarf in the Leinster Senior Cup final at Donnybrook on Saturday, 2.30.
CHURCHILL CUP SCHEDULE(All times Irish) - Saturday, June 7th (at the Twin Elm Stadium, Ottawa): England Saxons v USA (19.00); Canada v Scotland A (21.30). Wednesday, June 11th (at the Richardson Stadium, Kingston, Ontario): Argentina XV v Scotland A (21.30); Ireland A v USA (midnight). Saturday, June 14th (at Fletcher's Field, Markham, Toronto): England Saxons v Ireland A (19.00); Canada v Argentina XV (21:30). Saturday, June 21st (at Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Chicago): Churchill Cup Finals, Cup, Plate, Bowl (19.30, 20.00, and 22.30).
