RUGBY NEW LEINSTER POSTGUY EASTERBY has been appointed to the newly-created position of Leinster's chief scout. The 37-year-old former Ireland and Leinster scrumhalf, who takes up his role in September, will be responsible for developing both a national and international scouting network.
His remit will be to establish both a worldwide network of players and creating a database of domestic players at all levels of the game within the province right down to schools and the junior club scene, who might be capable of playing for Leinster, as well as developing profiles of all the players within the province's set-up from the academy through to the first squad.
Easterby will also devise a portfolio of the "high profile" and emerging directors of coaching and coaches so that Leinster will be in a position to fill these positions when necessary.
Welcoming Easterby's appointment, Leinster coach Michael Cheika said it "will further strengthen the club's ambition to identify and recruit top quality players".
Citing Easterby's experience - he won 28 caps for Ireland and 64 for Leinster - Cheika added: "The calibre of applicant was particularly impressive for this position, but it was apparent early on in our discussions how enthusiastic Guy was to make this new position his own."
The fruits of Easterby's labour are more likely to be realised in the long term. "There's no quick fix to this stuff," said Cheika. "We want to put a plan in place going forward to maximise the resources, structures and personnel at our disposal, to make us a more professional organisation, and to ensure the net is spread as wide as possible."
Easterby said he would seek to identify outstanding players "not just in Ireland, the UK, Europe and in the Southern Hemisphere, but also in the developing nations who have made massive strides in recent years. You can see that there are talented players on the Sevens circuit, for example. It is a huge honour to have been offered the position by Leinster and I am really excited about this opportunity."
Meanwhile, Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named a 30-man squad for their opening match of the season, against Leeds at the Sportsground tomorrow (kick-off: 6.30pm). Summer signings Kieran Campbell, Fionn Carr, Ian Keatley, Michael Roberts and Seán Cronin are all set to make their debut for Connacht in the first of four pre-season friendlies in Galway.
Pumas captain Felipe Contepomi said yesterday that facing world champions South Africa in Argentina's first Test under the new rugby laws is not ideal.
Argentina take on the Springboks in Johannesburg tomorrow in a match that is part of former South African president Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations. It will also be the first time Argentina play under the Experimental Law Variations.
CONNACHT SQUAD:Liam Bibo, Andrew Browne, Kieran Campbell, Fionn Carr, Sean Cronin, Mel Deane, Gavin Duffy, Andy Dunne, Andrew Farley, Adrian Flavin, John Hearty, Ian Keatley, Ronan Loughney, John Lyne, Keith Matthews, Michael McCarthy, Brian McGovern, Robbie Morris, Conor Muldoon, John Muldoon, Frank Murphy, Troy Nathan, John O'Connor, Ray Ofisa, Colm Rigney, Daniel Riordan, Michael Roberts, Michael Swift, Brett Wilkinson, Aidan Wynne.
