NEWS AND FOCUS ON ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: The future position of the Leinster assistant coach Alan Gaffney has taken a twist with both Munster and Welsh club Newport entering into the equation. It is Munster's entry which is most captivating.

Gaffney, who is being represented by an Irish agent, had informal talks with Munster earlier this week regarding the head coaching job which was left vacant when Declan Kidney became assistant Ireland coach to Eddie O'Sullivan.

Gaffney is also engaged in negotiating his position as assistant coach to Matt Williams with Leinster, which leaves the two provinces in competition for the services of the Australian. One way or the other the Irish Rugby Football Union will pay his salary.

While it is believed no concrete offer has been put on the table by Munster, who are compiling a short-list of names which will be submitted to the IRFU, it is has been suggested the issue is as much about personal ambition as it is money.

Gaffney, who previously worked with Williams at New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 12 and who was backs coach to the NSW under-21 team which won the 1996 championship, was previously spoken about as the heir to Williams at Leinster when Williams was in negotiations with Saracens before Easter. Gaffney is regarded as an excellent technical coach.

His dilemma now is whether to continue with Leinster as the number two or allow his name to go forward as the Munster number one. The presumption is he would not walk from Leinster unless the Munster job was clearly made available.

The Munster job, given the province's success in reaching a European Cup final and three semi-finals, would be seen as a significant step up the coaching ladder. Gaffney would also be afforded a much higher profile in the European game.

Williams has already worked out his organisation structure, which includes Gaffney, but the Leinster coach does not make the final decision in such matters, although he can make recommendations. While the IRFU have guidelines on what should be paid to provincial coaches, salaries can be supplemented, if necessary, by the provinces.

Provincial contracts finish at the end of May this season although the next match involving all parties takes place next weekend, ironically with the continuation of the interpro series where Leinster meet Munster.

Meanwhile, international openside flanker David Wallace starts off the AIB All-Ireland League semi-final on Saturday warming the bench for Garryowen. The Limerick side have decided to stick with their regular backrow of captain Colin Varley, Peter Malone and Paul Neville against Cork Constitution. However, Wallace is likely to play at some stage.

As with coaches Brian Hickey at Constitution (Ireland winger John Kelly also starts on the bench for Constitution) and Shannon's Geoff Moylan, both of whom have contracted players available to them, Andy Earl has had to decide whether to slot in the big-name players such as Wallace and John Langford at the expense of the regulars who got Garryowen this far in the competition.

In the event, Earl has kept faith with all but one of the side that beat UCD 42-24 at home in their last match. Second row and specialist lineout jumper Langford, who returned from Australia earlier this week, is included in the starting line-up at the expense of Eoin Kelly.

Langford's presence in the set-pieces should afford Garryowen greater options as they face a bigger pack in Constitution and in the second row Donncha O'Callaghan and Mick O'Driscoll are two players on form for the Cork side.

The other big name warming the bench is Killian Keane who, like Wallace, is likely to come on at some stage. Keane is returning from a back injury and is close to full fitness.

Clontarf and Shannon, who meet in the other semi-final, at Thomond Park, will announce their teams today. Clontarf are expected to stick with the same players who have helped them into their first play-off while Shannon must decide whether to start with their contracted players, notably Peter Stringer, John Hayes and Anthony Foley.

GARRYOWEN: D Crotty; C Tupiniere, J Staunton, R Niland, K O'Riordan; B Treacy, T Tierney; J Giltenane, P Humphreys, R Laffan, J Langford, J O'Sullivan, C Varley (capt), P Malone, P Neville. Replacements: S McCarthy, K Keane, AN Other, K Laurin, E Kelly, D Wallace.