All in the scrum

Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

IRB heads to City of Angels

LOS ANGELES is the handiest spot for the IRB blazers to meet, we were told last week. By the IRB. “The IRB Council selected Los Angeles as the venue for the reconvened meeting on the recommendation of the officers (chairman Bernard Lapasset, vice chairman Bill Beaumont and chief executive Mike Miller) following a comprehensive assessment of suitable venues,” according to rugby365

“A major air travel hub, Los Angeles is also a half way point for representatives from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and meets the key criteria of minimising travel and time for attendees.”

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Fair enough. LA it is then. Sure there is not much to do in that town but talk rugby. The gathering on December 12th should sort out the incoming chairman of the board. England’s Bill Beaumont is the front runner, it seems.

On December 11, the IRB Regulations Committee will meet (also in the aforementioned “major air travel hub”) to discuss “future disciplinary rules and processes.”

The issue of citing players for foul play outside the current time constrictions will presumably be on the agenda.

This is prompted by the footage of Richie McCaw being eye-gouged in the World Cup final only coming to light after the 36 hour window.

Bloody hell: Not more subs

WHEN IS a blood injury not a blood injury?

When there is no blood.

Sounds logical, yes?

Well, no.

Fulgence Ouedraogo (right) Montpellier captain and a constant thorn in Leinster’s side at the weekend, went off injured on 72 minutes to be replaced by Argentinian hooker Agustin Creevy, who had been subbed himself on 62 minutes.

Referee Dave Pearson enquired why “number two” was reappearing, to be reliably informed that it was a “blood” injury.

Leinster and opposition blood injuries, ah, we should tread carefully here. Ouedraogo is a warrior and was certainly injured. But blood?

Did somebody say “gate”?

Not us, no way.

Creevy made a fairly important tackle in the dying stages of the match, and he has a fairly decent back catalogue of appearances at wing forward.

It would have been a greater issue if Jonny Sexton’s 80th minute penalty had not split the uprights. But is it still not an issue? There was certainly plenty of chatter down on the sideline between both camps and the officials.

Ageless Hayes reaches his century

21 That, according to the match programme for the Munster versus Northampton game, is the age of John Hayes.

Not bad for a player who, by being introduced during the second half of the game, became the first player to make 100 Heineken Cup appearances.

His date of birth was listed in the programme as March 16th, 1990 – just seven years before Hayes made his Munster senior debut, and less than 10 years before he first pulled on a senior Irish jersey.

How Munster supporters only wish Hayes was just 21 years of age. He is, however, at the other end of a glittering career, and turned 38 earlier this month.

Ulster says OK

ALL BLACK John Afoa misses Ulster’s crucial Heineken Cup match against the Leicester Tigers at Welford Road this Saturday as he is best man at Jerome Kaino’s wedding. Ulster were informed of this before Afoa landed in Belfast and he will be back before round three of the Heineken Cup in December.

Afoa, strangely, initially agreed not to come until January but gave Ulster a dig out in recent weeks. The wedding is at the Aggie Grey hotel in Samoa and of course a deal has been done for the exclusive picture rights.

O'Driscoll: some waterboy

A HALF hour or so before the match on Saturday at the Stade de la Mosson and there’s Brian O’Driscoll going up for a high ball. ‘Mind the shoulder!’ we wanted to yell but it turns out he isnt going under the knife until this Wednesday.

His influence before the match in Montpellier was clear for all to see. As was his absence most keenly felt when Jonny Sexton galloped into space, glancing left and right for that magical trail runner.

They’ll miss him, alright, but his waterboy duties (right) may continue throughout the season.

“He’s a superb guy in the environment.” said Joe Schmidt. “I think there is going to have to be a period of time where he will just have to step out and do a bit of rehabilitation after the operation. He will let us know what bits he can contribute to and we’ll let him know that we are delighted to have him on board even if he is not part of the playing group.

“The good thing with Drico is we know he can add whether he is on the field or not.”