Ireland's under-21 side received a huge boost yesterday with unofficial confirmation that they are to take part in a tournament in Argentina this summer. The tournament will also include some of the top international southern hemisphere teams. The Argentinian Rugby Union have confirmed that Ireland will receive an invitation following a request by the IRFU that they be included in the tournament. The verbal communication will be followed by written details of the event over the coming weeks.
The Argentinians originally invited eight teams to participate but once news of the tournament spread they received several other inquiries. The interest generated means that the original schedule will now have to be re-drafted. South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and England will travel and it is expected that Ireland, France and Fiji amongst others will also attend. It represents a great opportunity to test the cream of Ireland's young talent against the world's elite and should offer Irish senior coach Warren Gatland a final opportunity to review his plans for the World Cup in October.
Of more immediate concern is the preparations for the under-12 international against Wales in Caerphilly on Friday week. Having secured their first win over France in three attempts in Cork last Friday (24-9), the Irish team management have asked a further 11 players to attend Sunday's squad session.
London Irish scrum-half Kieran Campbell was an original selection but he had to withdraw through injury and was replaced on the bench by Leicester's James Ferris.
The additional players are: Cormac Dowling (Greystones), Simon Keogh (Old Belvedere), Kieran Campbell (London Irish), Mark McHugh (Dublin University), Dermot Quinn (Terenure College), David Blaney (UCD), Michael Swift (Richmond), Des Dillon (UCD), Aidan Kearney (UCD), Stephen Walsh (Old Belvedere), Shane Moore (UCD).
Australia's Rugby World Cup chairman Leo Williams has travelled to Wales to seek assurances from the Welsh Rugby Union that the $96 million Millennium Stadium will be ready in time for the World Cup later this year.
A final decision is to be made next month but the RWC has been considering a contingency plan, just in case. "I can't say I'm worried about it but as chairman of RWC I have to be prepared to cover all options," Williams said yesterday. "There is a £100 million commercial arrangement which is contingent upon the successful completion of this stadium."
Williams will travel to Wales with an independent assessor to survey the ground with the prospect of making a final decision next month.
