Rugby News: Irish and Munster rugby got a timely boost yesterday when Ronan O'Gara took a full part in the national squad session at Terenure College in Dublin.
The outhalf had his cast on a broken finger removed on Friday after an absence of over three weeks.
O'Gara is expected to be named in this afternoon's 22-man squad for Sunday week's Italian match at the Stade Flaminio.
The players return to their clubs and provinces today, with the lighter squad reconvening on Sunday evening in Dublin as the Six Nations build-up begins in earnest. They depart for Rome on Friday.
If the Ireland management feel a player needs game-time, he will be made available for a Celtic League or All-Ireland League match this weekend. That means O'Gara may line out at Stradey Park on Saturday for Munster against Llanelli, where the Welsh club's captain Simon Easterby could also face Irish team-mates Alan Quinlan, Denis Leamy and Anthony Foley.
Munster will also have John Kelly available again, as he was named in the Cork Constitution back line last week only for their game against Dublin University to be postponed.
Connacht will receive confirmation today that centre James Downey is out for the rest of the season after he broke his collarbone in two places against Cardiff Blues last Saturday.
In just his second year as a contracted player, the former Belvedere schoolboy has been a revelation for the province since moving west this season.
Downey produced several quality displays two seasons ago with Clontarf in the AIL which earned him a Leinster contract. The glut of inside centres at Anglesea Road forced a move on the 23-year-old but almost immediately Downey established himself as the hard-yard merchant in Michael Bradley's midfield following Tim Allnutt's retirement.
"It's an unfortunate occurrence," said Allnutt, who is now team manager. "Since he first arrived in Galway, James has stepped up to the mark and he has become one of our best players but that is professional rugby."
The injury comes at a time when Downey could have added to his representative honours, having already played for the Irish sevens and under-19s, as he would have been an ideal candidate for the Ireland A team that plays France on March 11th in Donnybrook.
Downey's absence and that of Eric Elwood (badly bruised leg, sustained against Grenoble) means Bradley selected only nine backs in the 22-man squad to face Borders in Netherdale on Friday night. At least, they have an adequate replacement at either 10 or 12 with the return of Mark McHugh from injury. Back-row Matt Lacey is also out with a twisted knee but prop Peter Bracken and flanker Brendan O'Connor come into contention.
"It's a massive game," Allnutt continued. "Look at the table and you will see a lot of teams tight together. If we don't win we're in trouble. Win, and we're back in the top eight for the Celtic Cup."
Leinster, like Munster, are expected to profit from the return of international players for Sunday's fixture at Lansdowne Road against the Newport-Gwent Dragons. A squad is expected to be announced today.
Keith Gleeson's recuperation from a broken leg is progressing adequately as he is back running and turning.
With Thursday, March 10th, being the cut-off date for Heineken European Cup registration, Gleeson will target the Neath-Swansea Ospreys game the preceding weekend for the latest possible return to action.
CONNACHT: Forwards: Dan McFarland, Ray Hogan, Peter Bracken, Stephen Knoop, John Fogarty, Bernard Jackman, Christian Short, Pieter Myburgh, Andrew Farley (capt), Michael Swift, Brendan O'Connor, John Muldoon, John O'Sullivan. Backs: Matt Mostyn, Conor McPhillips, Ted Robinson, Darren Yapp, Mark McHugh, Paul Warwick, David Slemen, Tom Tierney, Chris Keane.
FRIDAY FIXTURES - Celtic League: Borders v Connacht, Netherdale, 7.30; Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh Rugby, Arms Park, 7.05.
SATURDAY FIXTURES - Celtic League: Munster v Llanelli (Stradey Park, 5.30). Glasgow Rugby v Neath-Swansea Ospreys (Hughenden, 7.45). AIL Division One (All 2.30, unless stated): Belfast Harlequins v Galwegians, Grafton Arena; Cork Constitution v Co Carlow, Temple Hill; Dungannon v Blackrock College, Stevenson Park; Garryowen v Lansdowne, Dooradoyle; UCD v Ballymena, Belfield Bowl. Division Two: Barnhall v Midleton, Parsonstown; Malone v DLSP, Gibson Park; St Mary's College v Old Belvedere, Templeville Road; Terenure College v Dolphin, Lakelands; Thomond v Bective Rangers, Liam Fitzgerald Park; UCC v Old Crescent, Mardyke Grounds, 3.15; Waterpark v Ballynahinch, Ballinakill. Division Three: Ards v Corinthians, Hamilton Park; Connemara v Ballina, Monastery Field; Greystones v Banbridge, Dr Hickey Park; Old Wesley v Clonakilty, Donnybrook; Queens University Belfast v Portadown, Dub Lane; Skerries v City of Derry, Holmpatrick; Sunday's Well v Bruff, Musgrave Park; Suttonians v Instonians, John J McDowell Memorial Grounds.
SUNDAY FIXTURES - Celtic League: Leinster v Newport-Gwent Dragons, Lansdowne Road, 4.45. AIL Division Two: UL Bohemians v Young Munster, Thomond Park, 2.30.
