OLD BELVEDERE have again indulged their penchant for employing high-profile coaches. This week Terry Burkett, Queensland's director of rugby for the last five years, assumes the coaching mantle at Anglesea Road for the club's friendly with Wanderers. He succeeds his longtime Australian associate, John Connolly, who has returned to Queensland to become the state's rugby controller.

Connolly recommended Burkett, who arrived at Anglesea Road last week. The two have worked together at various club and state levels, as Burkett combined his duties at Queensland by coaching the renowned Brothers club. He also made regular sorties to Japan where he oversaw coaching seminars. He is in his early 40s.

Meanwhile, Phil Lawlor, Bective's Irish international number eight, has been provisionally picked for his first competitive outing of the season, having come through a charity match during the holidays, for his club's Smithwicks' Floodlit Cup first round tic with St Mary's at Anglesea Road tonight.

As the clubs crank up a gear or two after the hiatus, St Mary's have also selected a fairly strong looking outfit, given the absence of Victor Costello and Steve Jameson.

Following a pitch inspection yesterday, the game was given the all clear, while last night's postponed first round meeting between the competition's hosts, Old Belvedere, and Naas is expected to be rescheduled for this day week.

In the week before the opening Five Nations' joust with Scotland, this weekend's international squad session dominates domestic matters, though the inaugural Leinster Senior Championship and Munster Player Development League both conclude, with the Lansdowne-Terenure and Young Munster-Dolphin finals at Donnybrook and Thomond Park respectively on Sunday.

The Irish selectors convene this evening before announcing the teams to play Scotland at both full and A levels. The sides will be named at nine o'clock at the Forte Crest Hotel, Dublin Airport.

Meanwhile, the IRFU yesterday announced the allocation of a £400,000-plus fund towards the further development of the game in this country. In addition to grants of up to £100,000 for each of the four provinces, the union intends funding the Exiles.

The exact sums will depend upon submissions from individual branches, and it will be the function of each branch to outline its, plans and priorities to the union.

It was also confirmed yesterday that Leinster, Munster and Ulster will participate in next season's European Cup.