RUGBY NEWS:LEINSTER HAVE not yet ruled out their South African World Cup winning prop CJ van der Linde from their pivotal meeting with Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday. Following the weekend's bonus-point wins by both sides, Munster lead Leinster by three points at the top of the Magner's League table with most teams having five matches remaining.
Van der Linde came off the bench for Stan Wright to join Cian Healy and hooker Bernard Jackman during Leinster’s 32-6 win against Ulster on Sunday. But he lasted a matter of minutes before being forced out of the match with an injured toe.
It was just the prop’s eighth game of the season because of a toe injury and of those eight he has played only three full matches, in September and October of 2008. He played full games against Munster and Connacht in the Magners League, and in the pool stages of the Heineken Cup against Edinburgh. But in Leinster’s away game against Wasps at Adams Park, he was replaced by Healy and since then it has proven to be a frustrating time for the prop and Leinster coach Michael Cheika.
An optimistic Leinster spokesman said yesterday they were hopeful of having the Springbok back and that removing him from the match and taking him to the hospital for a scan on Sunday was purely precautionary. The result is not yet available.
It comes as no surprise then Cheika has registered prop Jamie Hagan for the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup. Turning 22-years-old next month, Hagan joins Blackrock outhalf/centre Kyle Tonetti as Leinster’s two registered players for the European competition. All eight quarter-finals teams have registered new names. Each club is allowed to register three new names allowing for a maximum squad of 41 players.
Both provinces expect to have their international players back in harness following a week of down time for some of them after Ireland’s Grand Slam win in Cardiff. Leinster will not announce their squad until Wednesday while Munster, who have registered former Ireland Under-21 hooker Michael Essex for the Heineken Cup, will select their squad today.
Munster reported no injury problems following their away win in Scotland and are waiting to see if Ian Dowling and Rua Tipoki will be able to feature. Neither were available to face Glasgow.
Ulster Rugby have announced the recruitment of a new backrow. Tamaiti Horua, from the Super 14 side Western Force, has signed a two-year contract at Ravenhill.
New Zealand born and Melbourne raised, the natural open-side flanker can also play at number eight. An experienced player, the 26-year-old arrives with 42 Super 14 and Super 12 caps. Horua was offered a two-year contract with the Brumbies when he was spotted by the then coach Eddie Jones playing for Victoria in the Australian Schools Championships. Graduating up the grades with the Australian Under-19 team and then the Under-21 side, he was made captain of the under-21 side in 2002.
At senior level he also represented the Australia A side in 2003 and 2005 but was largely seen as an impact player. When the Brumbies released him he declined offers from Leinster and the Force to play with Japanese club Toyota.
Ulster coach Matt Williams has clearly gone for some power in his backrow as Horua weighs in at 18st 2lb (115kg) and 6ft 3ins (1.91m) and along with the powerhouse Stephen Ferris, it’s a backrow that will carry some muscle next season. Horua is expected to join up with the Ulster squad in the pre-season.
Meanwhile, former IRB chairman Syd Millar has received the prestigious Spirit of Sport Award from the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) in recognition of his outstanding services to sport. The award was presented to Dr Millar by GAISF president Hein Verbruggen at the opening of the 43rd GAISF General Assembly in Denver, US, last Friday.
Players registered for knockout stages of Heineken Cup: BATH RUGBY– 3: Ryan Davis(utility back), Scott Hobson(lock), Laurence Ovens(prop); CARDIFF BLUES– 3: Scott Andrews(prop), James Down(lock), Sam Warburton(backrow); HARLEQUINS– 2: Seb Stegmann(wing), Chris York(lock); LEICESTER TIGERS– 2: Craig Newby(flanker), Ben Pienaar(flanker); LEINSTER– 2: Jamie Hagan(prop), Kyle Tonetti(outhalf/centre); MUNSTER– 1: Michael Essex(hooker); OSPREYS– 3: Scott Baldwin(hooker), Filipo Levi(lock); Jonathan Spratt(utility back); TOULOUSE:– 1: Nicolas Bezy(outhalf/scrumhalf).
PWDLFABPts
Munster131003281202545
Leinster13913290182442
Ospreys12705252178634
Edinburgh13607262230832
Scarlets12705245229230
Ulster13508225230626
Cardiff12516239246426
Glasgow13508226255626
N/G Dragons12507210271525
Connacht133010140347214
