YET again, the hardy lads from Leinster House are togging lout at Old Belvedere RFC this day week to play rugby with their counterparts from Westminster before the Ireland/England international. It will be their first outing of the season and the last of the present Dail. The Dail and Seanad XV, as one player admitted this week, may not have wintered as well as they should, so some of the older players are going out to grass and members' sons are taking their place.
Hugh Coveney will have four sons playing, all strong Cork lads, which must give Ireland the advantage, Ruairi Quinn has one son on the side - and it's Malachi, not the baby - Peter Barry's son Conor is turning out as usual and Padraic McCormack's son Michael will also be there. Deputy Mildred Fox, who recently captained a women's football team in Wicklow, was considered but her inclusion was ruled too politically correct and she failed to be selected.
Others on the Irish team include TDs M.J. Nolan (capt), Michael Creed, Michael Ahern, Sean Power, Jimmy Deenihan and Brian Cowen, Senators Liam Cosgrave and Frank Fahey and the new Captain of the Guard at Leinster House, Comdt Noel McCann, as well as the Tanaiste's brother, Donal Spring. Team officials are Senator Eddie Bohan and Batt O'Keeffe, TD.
The Lords and Commons XV includes MPs Philip Oppenheim, Ian Davidson, and John Denham and Lords Redesdale, St John, Rennell and Addington. There are no Northern members on either side. PD Senator John Dardis will referee.