The Northern Secretary John Reid and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen will kick off, respectively, the first and second halves of the parliamentary rugby game between Westminster and Leinster House at Old Belvedere, Dublin, this morning. The Oireachtas team includes Simon Coveney, his brothers Andrew and Tony, Deputies Sean Power, Billy Kelleher, Tom Kitt and Brian Hayes. Both former deputy M.J. Nolan and his son Brian will play, as will John Barrett but not his father Deputy Sean Barrett. Senator Fergus O'Dowd's son, a former Irish youth captain, is also turning out. The Lords and Commons include Lords Thomas and Addington, MPs Ian Davidson, Hugh Edwards and Nick Hawkins, whose son will also play.
Coveney has just taken over as captain from Jimmy Deenihan - who is injured - and he is full of confidence. "We haven't lost since I got elected three years ago." Senator John Dardis is the ref and kick-off is at 10.30 a.m.