Sport

Concern over ban

DESPITE the statement made earlier this week by London Irish that none of their players will be released to play for the Irish…

By EDMUND VAN ESBECK
Sat Sept 28 1996 - 01:00

DESPITE the statement made earlier this week by London Irish that none of their players will be released to play for the Irish provinces in the European Cup, hope has been rekindled that there could be a change in that attitude.

The meeting today of Ireland manager Pat Whelan and London Irish coach Clive Woodward could pave the way for a relaxation of the London Irish ban. At least some of the London Irish players could be released to play for their provinces, certainly those who had specific commitments to the provinces when they signed for London Irish it not necessarily those who subsequently made commitments to provinces.

Whelan will got to the meeting today armed with the letter Woodward wrote to him some months ago and that leaves no room for doubt about the commitment made that time that the players will be released. Commenting on that, Woodward said, "I do not like going back on promises and commitments I have made if at all possible. I will discuss the matter in detail with Pat and we will take the matter from there."

After the meeting Whelan will go to Richmond to watch Richmond play Newcastle. Simon Mason (Richmond) and Nick Popplewell (Newcastle) will be the focus of attention. Selector Donal Lenihan is also likely to be with Whelan when he meets Woodward. Lenihan is going to watch London Irish play Saracens at Sunbury and there is plenty of Irish involvement on both sides in that match.

READ MORE

Ireland coach Murray Kidd and selector Frank Sowman will be at Donnybrook to see Leinster play Monster and selector Joe Miles will be at Ravenhill to watch Ulster play Connacht.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) yesterday described a proposed midweek international with England as preposterous.

However, the Home Unions have warned there would be "serious repercussions" if Australia dropped the Test against Wales to fit in one against England.

Australia wanted to relinquish a weekend date against a provincial side in Scotland or Ireland, or move the December 7th match against the Barbarians to fit in the England fixture.

Those options were refused and the Home Unions Tours Committee has offered Australia a midweek Test against England on December 3rd or 4th.