Brian O'Driscoll laughed off suggestions he is about to quite Leinster in favour of the south of France at the end of the season. As a result of his appearance on the Late Late Show there has been considerable speculation he will quit Ireland in favour of sunnier climes.
His contract with the IRFU runs out at the end of the season and he reopened preliminary discussions with the union recently. His father, Frank, acts on behalf of his son and there was a brief meeting with the IRFU last month.
The newly-appointed Irish captain and successor to Keith Wood, was in City West yesterday at an Ireland training camp. "I think people might have misinterpreted what I said. I just named some places in France but didn't say I was going there. I would listen to any offer at the moment, keeping my options open. I don't feel inclined to make a decision in the immediate future. There is plenty of time as I'm in no rush."
He may well elect to try a different lifestyle and has previously mentioned he would like Australia with the hard grounds and the amount of ball that an outside centre receives. However, given he hasn't entered into serious negotiation with any outside party suggests rumours of his impending exodus appear a little premature.
O'Driscoll continues to make good progress from the hamstring tear he suffered just over three weeks ago against Sale and still hasn't abandoned hope of making Ireland's Six Nations opener against France at Stade de France on Saturday week.
Meanwhile, Leinster flanker Eric Miller has been ruled out of the French game. He was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury and former Ireland Schools and under-21 international Roger Wilson takes his place.
The talented Ulster number eight has been called into Ireland's 34-man championship squad that begins preparations today before breaking up for two nights over the weekend. The squad will be announced later in the week and the team to play France will be named next Tuesday.
Eddie O'Sullivan's injury concerns continue with both established loose-heads Marcus Horan and Reggie Corrigan troubled by leg injuries. Corrigan picked up his injury in Leinster's defeat to Biarritz last Saturday, while, on the same day, Horan again hobbled off with the knee injury which has dogged him in recent weeks.
Against that, David Humphreys has overcome the shoulder strain he picked up in Ulster's win over Gwent Dragons on Friday night.
Former England international Dean Richards has left his post as Leicester's director of rugby yesterday following the team's disappointing recent form.
"Unfortunately, there has been a steady decline in the team's performance over the past two seasons," Leicester chairman Peter Tom said in a statement.
"The board felt that this decline could only be checked by significant changes within the playing structure. Dean did not find these changes acceptable."
Richards, who was also a long-serving player at the club, said: "I am disappointed to be leaving Leicester Tigers after 23 years at a wonderful club."
Chief executive Peter Wheeler, assisted by John Wells and World Cup-winning players Neil Back and Martin Johnson, will take charge of team affairs while Leicester search for a permanent replacement.
England have effectively resigned themselves to being without their World Cup match-winner Jonny Wilkinson for the Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome.
Wilkinson has linked up with the England squad for a two-day training get-together in Surrey, but coach Clive Woodward last night admitted his chances of facing Italy on February 15th were remote.
Woodward has ruled out Wilkinson's injured outhalf understudy Charlie Hodgson for those matches, opening the door to number 10 to one of possibly four candidates.
Paul Grayson is favourite, but Woodward could also look at Bath pair Olly Barkley and Mike Catt, together with Wasps' Alex King.
WALES: (Six Nations Squad): Squad: Backs: C Morgan, J Robinson, R Williams, G Evans, G Thomas, M Taylor, T Shanklin, S Parker, I Harris, C Sweeney, S Jones, D Peel, G Cooper, S Williams, H Luscombe. Forwards: J Thomas, M Williams, C Charvis (captain), D Jones, A Popham, M Owen, G Llewellyn, R Sidoli, B Cockbain, G Jenkins, A Jones, D Jones, I Thomas, R McBryde, G Williams, M Davies.
