A rugby miscellany

Out of the West: Elwood rues departure of trio

ERIC ELWOOD conceded over the weekend three players Connacht had built their team around – Ian Keatley, Seán Cronin and Fionn Carr – are leaving Galway this summer.

“In fairness, they came in to us during the week and informed us that they would be moving on at the end of the season and that they were talking to other clubs,” said Elwood. “And given that it’s a World Cup season we’re coming into we were always going to be an easier target from clubs looking to fill gaps in their squads. We always knew these things could happen. If clubs are coming in looking for them then the players are doing well and we must be doing something right. So we always knew that would be the case. But on the other hand it’s disappointing because we had hoped to hang on to them for another while.”

Keatley is primed to replace the Stade Français-bound Paul Warwick at Munster, while Cronin and Carr seem destined for Leinster. What is crucial for the recently-announced joint IRFU/Connacht road map is Leinster and Munster return the favour by sending some of their young talent west. But as Elwood pointed out, it is a World Cup year so Connacht shouldn’t be getting their hopes up.

Boxing clever: New Zealand union clears Williams to continue boxing endeavours

AH, SO it is about money after all. News that Sonny Bill Williams returns to the boxing ring next month, in his third professional bout, has kept the newest All Black in the spotlight during the Southern Hemisphere off-season. The former rugby league wonder kid announced last week he would be fighting Australian Scott Lewis despite missing pre-season fixtures ahead of his first campaign in Super rugby with the Canterbury Crusaders.

Turns out the option to box was included in Sonny Bill’s contract with the New Zealand rugby union so he can top up his salary to compensate the losses he is incurring as a result of leaving the euro millions of Toulon behind.

“It was very much part of getting Sonny here,” said Neil Sorensen, the NZRU head of professional rugby. “We couldn’t compete with Toulon. We are millions and millions apart and this was just one way of securing him, if you like.”

Sorensen also confirmed Williams could potentially fight again before next September’s World Cup and if he gets injured in the ring the NZRU must continue to pay him. “Look, we think the risks are worth taking. There is a risk he will get injured. Absolutely.”

Than again, Lewis’ track record of three wins and four defeats, all of which have been by knockout, is hardly intimidating.

* With six inches of snow falling in Swansea on Friday the main concern ahead of the Ospreys and Munster match was access to Liberty Stadium.

The undersoil heating at the ground ensured the pitch was playable but the ERC informed the Ospreys if there was a health and safety issue outside the stadium the game would still go ahead without any spectators. If the Ospreys had a problem with that they could forfeit five points to Munster. As a result there was an impressive clean-up and clearing operation last Friday to ensure the walk ways leading up to the stadium were in decent condition. Over 12,000 made the trip.

* ULSTER’S hugely encouraging 26-22 victory at The Rec on Saturday sparked a seemingly frustrated Bath crowd to turn on their own players. With snowballs.

Entering the last quarter, as Lee Mears prepared to throw into the lineout, the former England hooker was bombarded with white grenades.

It seemed like an act of disgust on behalf of the home supporters. Or maybe they were just enjoying the snow.