RUGBY:THE ANNOUNCEMENT of an Ireland rugby squad for a two-day training camp at Carton House this weekend, due to be communicated yesterday, has been postponed until later in the week following the death in tragic circumstances of 22-year-old Ulster centre Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham in an accident on the family farm at Hillsborough last Saturday.
Ulster confirmed the postponement of Friday’s Pro 12 league game against Zebre at the Stadio XXV Aprile in Parma. A statement read: “Further to the death of Ulster player Nevin Spence last weekend, the match between Zebre and Ulster due to be played on September, 21st, 2012 in Parma will be postponed to a later date.
“An announcement will be made in due course with the rescheduled match information. A moment of silence will be observed at all RaboDirect Pro 12 matches this coming weekend.”
The decision with regard to fulfilling the fixture or not on Friday as scheduled was left up to Ulster. Given how distressing the next few days will be for all who knew the hugely popular young man, in particular those within the Ulster set-up, the match is an irrelevance in the current climate.
The Ireland team management, like the rugby community and wider public, have been left stunned by the tragedy and felt it inappropriate to go ahead with the announcement at such a time. The 30-man training squad, which will convene at Carton on Sunday and train before breaking up after lunch on Tuesday, will be released later in the week.
There have been a couple of changes to the backroom team in the national set-up following the departure of Cameron Steele (physiotherapist) and Brian Greene (physical therapist). Former Leinster physio James Allen linked up with Ireland for the final two Test matches of the summer tour and has succeeded Steele while further appointments are expected shortly.
Leinster are on the point of confirming Allen’s successor while the closing date for applications for the position vacated by highly-regarded strength and conditioning coach Jason Cowman – he’s joined the Irish set-up having filled in for Phil Morrow following the latter’s departure to Saracens – was last weekend.
Yesterday’s field training session at Leinster was cancelled as a mark of respect for the late Ulster centre Spence; the squad will resume preparations for the Edinburgh match this morning.
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt reflected on the impact that Spence’s death had on his players, many of whom would have played with and against the 22-year-old Ulsterman.
“Of course preparations this week have been greatly affected by Nevin Spence’s tragic passing. Nevin was an extremely talented player and a hugely respected and popular young man within our squad, especially among all those players who played with him at underage representative levels and in the Ireland senior and Wolfhounds panels in recent years.
“The rugby, sporting and wider public have all been greatly affected by this tragedy. And it goes without saying that the thoughts and prayers of the squad, and everyone in Leinster Rugby, are with the Spence family and all of our friends in Ulster rugby.”
The IRFU will be requesting that all clubs and representative teams playing matches this coming weekend observe a minute of silence before kick-off and fly their club flag at half mast.
In addition to the book of condolences at the Ulster rugby offices and at Ballynahinch RFC, a book is also open to members of the public in the IRFU offices at Lansdowne Road from 9.0am. to 5.0pm. each day this week.
