RUGBY:Outgoing IRB chairman Dr Syd Millar will be named a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur, the highest decoration in France, in a ceremony at Ballymena RFC tomorrow.
Millar (73), won 37 caps for Ireland and played nine times for the British and Irish Lions, who he also coached in 1974 and managed in 1980, both occasions touring South Africa.
"It is recognition of rugby football, so from that point of view I'm pleased to accept it as we Irish have a special affinity with the French in rugby terms," said Millar.
Millar's successor as IRB chairman, Bernard Lapasset, travels to Ballymena as the representative of French president Nicolas Sarkozy to bestow the award upon his colleague.
Former Irish internationals Tom Kiernan, Ronnie Dawson, Noel Murphy and Jack Kyle are expected to attend the ceremony.
Millar noted he was not the first Irish rugby international to become a Knight of the Legion d'Honneur, as Lieut Col Blair Mayne played secondrow for Ireland and toured South Africa with the 1938 Lions.
Bono and The Irish Times journalist Lara Marlow are more recent Irish members of the order that was formed by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1802.
Millar was commended for overseeing the most successful World Cup, held primarily in France this autumn, while other lasting affects of his IRB chairmanship was an annual investment of £32 million (about €45m) into developing the game worldwide and the streamlining of international underage tournaments to under-20.
Millar confirmed yesterday that two Argentinian franchises will compete in next season's Currie Cup - the South African provincial competition - with the eventual goal being to integrate them into the Super 14 and an expanded Tri-Nations.
The new squads will cater for 70 home-based professional players in Argentina, but whether the wages could attract high-profile players like Juan Hernandez of Stade Francais or Felipe Contepomi of Leinster to return from Europe remains to be seen.
"We have left aside a large amount of money and put in place a director of rugby in Argentina," said Millar. "They have to organise their own house and get a professional administrative staff in.
"The Southern Hemisphere will seriously consider their inclusion into the Super 14 in the future and into the Tri-Nations. It will be dependant on performances. It is not a gift of the IRB. We can only prod the Tri-Nations to do this."
Meanwhile, Leinster have confirmed they have coaxed Guy Easterby out of "retirement" on a short-term contract.
In fact, the 28-times capped Ireland scrumhalf never actually retired, as his coaching role with English division two club Otley evolved into a playing brief.
Easterby (36), replaces the injured Chris Whitaker in Leinster's European Cup panel until the Australian is fit again.
Despite the presence of Cillian Willis and Chris Keane, Easterby is expected to feature against Edinburgh at Murrayfield this Saturday.
Girvan Dempsey is in contention for selection after recovering from a knee injury.
Finally, former Ulster coach Mark McCall has made a swift return to the profession by joining former Ulster and Ireland team-mate Jeremy Davidson as backs coach with struggling French club Castres.
