The IRFU will send a 40-man under-21 squad to Toulouse later this month to play two matches against French selections. The games will take place on the weekend that Ireland take on Romania at Lansdowne Road in their second World Cup qualifier, November 20th-21st.
The Home Unions have identified the need to increase the importance of the under-21 age group as a stepping stone between Schools and Senior international level and it is hoped to create more matches below the senior grade.
The English clubs threatened to scupper plans by refusing to release players to the English RFU and so the IRFU decided to pursue a two-match tour to France. The FFR were delighted to host the travelling party. Last year's international management team of Bryan McLaughlin, Gerry Murphy and Philip Rainey will preside over the 40 man squad.
The matches will be played on alternate days and offer an excellent opportunity to examine the merits of this year's Irish Under-21s. They will be hoping to emulate, at least, the achievement of last season's team which won the Triple Crown.
When one considers the talent available and the competition for places, illustrated by the presence of Gordon D'Arcy, Geordan Murphy, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Ciaran Scally, Kieran Campbell, Peter Stringer and Leo Cullen amongst others, expectation levels for the season will once again be high.
Meanwhile, Peter Clohessy is out of Munster's final European Cup match, against Padova in Italy on Sunday. The Young Munster prop has been withdraw by the Irish team management on medical advice. He damaged his neck in Munster's victory over Perpignan at the weekend, a match in which Clohessy once again excelled.
Tight-head prop John Hayes is also bothered with a back complaint and a decision on his fitness will not be taken until today. Clohessy's withdrawal could pave the way for brother, Des to step in or former club-mate Niall Hartigan.
If Hayes were forced out then Noel Healy or John O'Driscoll would deputise. Anthony Foley (leg), Mick O'Driscoll (shoulder) and Peter Stringer (stitches) are all expected to be fit. Coach Declan Kidney is determined that Munster's achievement in reaching the quarter-final of the competition will not be a resting place for their ambitions. "It is about taking things from here. We now want to beat Padova and secure a better draw in the quarter-finals.
"I think it works out that we are required to beat Padova by six points more than Ulster beat the Edinburgh Reivers to secure an away quarter-final with Colomiers. Otherwise we would face Stade Francais.
