Kidney's fringe festival
More photos:
Related Articles
A GREAT deal of hot air will be expended this week on why Croke Park is not staging Saturday's Magners League semi-final between Leinster and Munster, so we'll put that one to bed first.
Firstly, the switch to GAA headquarters was financially imprudent. Although it is understood that the rent would have been considerably reduced from the normal €1.2m to around €650,000, additional running costs would have brought the overall cost close to the million mark. Those costs were prohibitive, as the short notice and lack of a Heineken Cup finalist pointed towards an attendance of maybe half the 82,500 capacity that was guaranteed when these sides met in the European semi-final last year.
Furthermore, Leinster were rightly unwilling to cede the advantage that goes with an RDS league record of 15 wins on the bounce and, with Munster getting 25pc of the tickets for the 18,500 capacity, Michael Cheika's men are looking to draw strength from a significant supporter advantage.
What this semi-final pairing has done is give Irish rugby a welcome injection of energy after the season appeared deflated from a disappointing end to the Six Nations and a triple European exit. The meetings of Munster and Leinster never want for intensity but with the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia just a matter of weeks away, there will be an added 'final trial' bite to the Ballsbridge atmosphere.
This expedition appears increasingly hazardous for Ireland coach Declan Kidney. The intention was to gain a first victory in the southern hemisphere in 31 years, which would engender confidence in the squad for their World Cup campaign in 2011. However, with injuries affecting a chunk of Kidney's battle-hardened front-line warriors, there is now the opportunity to test the depth of Ireland's resources.
Denis Leamy, Luke Fitzgerald and Donnacha Ryan have been long-term casualties, Stephen Ferris' tour plans were destroyed by his recent fractured cheekbone and Paul O'Connell now looks certain to miss out, having not played since March 20.
Further injury concerns surround Six Nations squad members Keith Earls, Jonathan Sexton, Devin Toner and Rory Best, although the optimistic angle has them all available to fly out in early June. In-form Leinster blindside Kevin McLaughlin is favourite to step into Ferris' shoes after filling a similar role in the Six Nations. Similarly, Connacht hooker Sean Cronin, who came into the squad for the suspended Jerry Flannery during the Six Nations, looks to be guaranteed a seat on the plane while Marcus Horan, who missed the spring campaign, should also travel.
The injury crisis means a selection scenario that is far from ideal but, with a tour party of 32-34, it has created an opportunity for a clutch of players who did not feature in the Six Nations ...
LIKELY LADS
GAVIN DUFFY
Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy are in-form full-backs for Leinster and Leicester respectively, but Connacht's Duffy is perfectly placed to travel. The Mayo man has the international experience of 10 caps, dating back to 2004, and has been consistently excellent for his province this season. His ability to cover wing and centre adds to his allure.
DENIS HURLEY
Enjoying an excellent season for Munster. He broke through at full-back three years ago but looks increasingly comfortable on the wing and could be a Test candidate there if Kidney wants to have a look at an Earls-Brian O'Driscoll centre partnership.
MIKE ROSS
Woefully short on game time due to the presence of overseas props in Leinster's squad, but the last two weekends have emphasised the importance of locking the scrum, which is Ross' raison d'etre. Tony Buckley is likely to travel with Cian Healy and Horan but Ross would be an eminently sensible selection, particularly if the decision is taken to give John Hayes the summer off.
SEAN O'BRIEN
Although he will be short on match practice, O'Brien's return to fitness is perfectly timed and the Carlow man's energy and ball-carrying abilities would be ideally suited to the summer challenge.
MICK O'DRISCOLL
Has worked hard for Munster in O'Connell's absence and the 17-times capped second-row looks a front-runner to replace him in the Ireland squad also.
MAYBE MEN
FIONN CARR
In Luke Fitzgerald's absence, Carr has been the most exciting attacking player in Irish rugby. Doubts about the Connacht winger centre on his defence but his offensive threat is compelling and four weeks' concerted work alongside Les Kiss could go a long away.
IAN WHITTEN
Capped last summer when the main men were on Lions duty, the powerful centre has had a frustrating season with Ulster but has put in a strong finish.
JOHN FOGARTY
Depends on injury as the established hooking pecking order of hookers is Flannery, Best and Cronin, but Fogarty should be next in line. Consistently rugged for Leinster, the Tipp man would not let anyone down.
DAN TUOHY
The second-row crisis has to bring the former Cornish Pirate into play. Tuohy has physicality, athleticism and, crucially, plenty of game time for Ulster, something Leinster's Devin Toner lacks.
JOHN MULDOON
In the expected absence of Ferris and Leamy, there is a vacancy for a blindside bruiser in the party and the Connacht captain fits the bill. It would be just reward for his ceaseless toil this season.
CHRIS HENRY
Came to the fore as a leader in Rory Best's absence this season and produced a string of impressive displays during Ulster's pre-Christmas run of form. A natural No 8, Xavier Rush's signing may be good news for Ulster but not for Henry or Ireland.
JAMES COUGHLAN
Cinderella Man. What a fairytale it would be if Coughlan could travel from club rugby to a summer tour in a matter of months. When you factor in his excellent form since being elevated to Munster's first team and the need for experienced No 8 cover for Heaslip, Coughlan has to merit consideration.
LONG SHOTS
BOB CASEY
Put in another solid shift with London Irish but does not seem to be part of the Ireland management's plans.
ED O'DONOGHUE
The Leinster-bound O'Donoghue has had a good season alongside Tuohy in the Ulster engine room.
FRANK MURPHY
Tomas O'Leary, Eoin Reddan and Peter Stringer are ahead in the queue but the Connacht scrum-half has impressed with a series of assured showings over the past two months.
WILLIE FALOON
Like Whitten, Faloon is another hugely promising player who has had something of a hit-and-miss season. At his best, the Ballynahinch man is one of the most effective opensides in the country.
NEIL BEST
A big part of Northampton's impressive season and, in Ferris' absence, Best seems ideally suited for the requirements of this tour, particularly after his exploits on the similar expedition in 2006. However, the former Ulster man has been out of the picture since the 2007 World Cup.
ROGER WILSON
Good player but, like Best, the former Ulster Saints No 8 looks to be out of the Ireland loop.
ALAN QUINLAN
The romantics' choice. A shock call-up would be some consolation for missing the Lions tour and a chance to atone for the yellow card he earned off the bench in Auckland in 2002. In Ireland terms, Quinlan has been on the outside looking in for a while now but the Munster back-row is playing as well as ever.
- Hugh Farrelly
Irish Independent
