The wintergreen has yet to replace the suntan oil but already Connacht coach Glenn Ross has sprung the first surprise of the season with the opening selection of the Guinness Interprovincials. Bernard Jackman, the Clontarf hooker, has been reincarnated as an openside flanker, where he will play against the European Cup holders Ulster at the Sportsground on Saturday.
Revealing that Jackman's new role had come up for discussion late last season, Ross explained: "He's a very good footballer and to be honest I didn't see him having a future as a hooker. My honest appraisal of him was that he didn't have the consistent accuracy required in his line-out throwing."
"As loose forwards were a bit of a problem for us, and obviously he was keen to do whatever he had to to, we decided to take the risk of using him as a utility player and in his early season form he's shown up well. He's as hard as nails, has a great attitude and can now concentrate on what he does best without the responsibility of lineout throwing, although it will take him some time before he becomes really accustomed to the role."
Ross's preference for the Buccaneers' number eight-cumblindside flanker Martyn Steffert along with the prodigal lock Mark McConnell as his overseas players means that Connacht's Kiwi flanker of the last two seasons, Junior Charlie, has been overlooked. Ross has yet to finalise his front row, and will wait on a fitness check on Shane McDonald's strained groin before deciding which two props he will perm from three in his starting line-up.
Others in line for their interprovincial debuts are former Northampton lock Gavin Webster, alongside the returning McConnell, and Steffert. Mel Deane makes his bow at outside centre, while Pat Duignan operates on the wing with Simon Allnutt converted to full-back.
Ulster won't reveal their hand until tomorrow, with coach Harry Williams still debating whether to play Eric Miller from the start after the Irish back-rower came through one period of 20 minutes against Glasgow Caledonians last Saturday.
Leinster, meanwhile, have a number of concerns prior to their rendezvous with Munster in Cork on Saturday, most notably in midfield. Shane Horgan and Brian Carey have been ruled out, as has Gordon D'Arcy, leaving Mike Ruddock the options of Gareth Gannon, Peter McKenna, Martin Ridge or Emmet Farrell to partner Brian O'Driscoll.
Up front, Trevor Brennan is still nursing the shoulder and knee injuries he picked up in Australia, while Bob Casey and Leo Cullen only returned from under-21 duty in Argentina on Monday. The holders Munster, with Mike Mullins and Jeremy Staunton sidelined, will announce their side today.
This game has, curiously, been switched from Musgrave Park to Temple Hill, apparently because the grass at Musgrave needs more time to settle after the summer refurbishment and recent drought.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, it was then switched to Saturday to avoid a clash with Cork's All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Offaly. On hearing of this in Argentina, the Irish coach Warren Gatland informally requested that Saturday's double header be moved another hour apart so that he and assistant coach Philip Danaher could attend both matches.
Needless to say, this request was not granted. Munster cited the lack of lights at Temple Hill, Leinster didn't want to delay their coach journey home; Connacht had their pre-match meal booked, etc etc. Thus, one of only two inteprovincial rounds available to the Irish management before the first squad get-together on August 15th in the build-up to the World Cup, cannot be rejigged to facilitate him seeing both games. Where there's no will, there's no way.
"Without making a big issue out of it, I'm a little disappointed," said the Irish coach. "In fact it makes my day easier, as I'd planned to drive from Dublin, where I'm conducting a coaching seminar, to Galway, and then on to Cork. Now, I'll just watch the Galway game but if I was a player I'd be disappointed not to be given the chance to impress."
CONNACHT: S Allnutt; M Mostyn, M Deane, M Murphy, P Duignan; E Elwood, C McGuinness; J Maher or J Screene, S McDonald or J McVeigh, J Screene or M Cahill, G Webster, M McConnell, M Steffert, B Gavin, B Jackman. Replacements: S McIvor, N carolan, C Kilroy, AN Other, AN Other, C Rigney, E Brennan.
