Akin to transfer deadline day in football, the onset of yesterday evening's deadline for the registration of each 30-man squad in the European competitions with ERC Ltd forced a relatively feverish day of activity within the four provinces. The provinces and ERC placed an embargo on the issuing of those squad lists until today but it is believed that amongst several new signings in place by last night is the one-time Natal Sharks and London Irish scrumhalf Kevin Putt, now back with Terenure, and the New Zealand under-21 outhalf Eddie Hekenui, who have linked up with Leinster.
The acquisition of these New Zealand half backs represents quite a last-ditch coup for Matt Williams, Putt filling the void to some degree left by another experienced Kiwi, Stu Forster, while the goalkicking Hekenui increases Leinster's options in their problematical outhalf slot.
The 24-year-old Hekenui was born in Wanganui in New Zealand's north island, with whom he played at NPC level before moving on to Otago for the last three seasons. Hekenui also played for both the New Zealand under-21s and under-23s. Given he has joined St Mary's, it would seem safe to presume that the Templeville Road coach Brent Pope and formerly an Otago number eight, was instrumental in bringing over Leinster's new recruit.
The extensive negotiations between players and provincial managements was compounded by the need for updated reports on long-term injuries as well as activity across provincial borders. For example, it is believed that Munster and Leinster were both coveting a Dublin-based player as of yesterday. All will be revealed today.
Meanwhile Ronan O'Gara, having recovered from a shoulder injury, returns to what is effectively a first-choice, full-strength line-up save for the absent John Langford for Munster's Guinness Inteprovincial Championship meeting with Ulster at Musgrave Park. A fifth consecutive victory on Friday night would ensure Declan Kidney's team of their third title ina-row.
Frankie Sheahan also returns to the middle of the front row while John Kelly reverts to wing, but Munster have had to leave a couple of vacancies in their starting line-up at left wing and blind-side flanker. Anthony Horgan injured his hand in Saturday's win away to Connacht and the Munster management are awaiting the results of an x-ray before determining the extent of the injury.
Alan Quinlan's back spasm, which ruled him out of the Connacht game is still troubling him but he has resumed training and is expected to start, though likewise a decision on his fitness has been deferred in keeping with Declan Kidney's stated policy of not playing players unless they are 100 per cent fit.
Leinster intend to select their side for Saturday's trip to the Sportsground today. Both Victor Costello and Emmet Byrne are expected to be back in contention and will probably be named, and likewise Eric Miller after a leg injury forced his early departure against Ulster. Both Putt and Hekenui seem likely to be included in Leinster's squad at any rate.
Shane Horgan remains doubtful with his knee injury, and if ruled out Matt Williams would have to ponder his midfield options alongside Brian O'Driscoll, namely Nathan Turner, Mark McHugh or Peter McKenna.
Connacht's Marnus Uijs and Junior Charlie should have recovered from the flu virus which curtailed their involvement against Munster last week, but Ian Dillon is again unlikely to be involved and Mervyn Murphy is still sidelined with a fractured forearm.
The GAA's decision to play the All-Ireland Football final replay on Saturday, October 7th has made for an awkward clash with the opening European Cup and Shield matches involving Munster and Connacht the same afternoon. Munster, last season's European Cup finalists, are scheduled to begin their campaign against Newport at Thomond Park (2.30 p.m. kick-off). The game was also due to be shown live by RTE but with a 3.30 p.m. kick-off in Croke Park clearly something will have to give. RTE are hopeful the Munster Branch and ERC Ltd will agree to bringing forward the Thomond Park kick-off to, say, 1 p.m. or 1.15 p.m., which would also enable the Thomond Park crowd to watch the GAA final. A decision may be agreed upon today.
In response to the GAA final developments, Connacht asked their opening Shield opponents Beziers to defer their scheduled game for 24 hours but the French club were not agreeable. Thus, the best compromise Connacht could come up with was to move the match forward from 3 p.m. to 2 p.m..
MUNSTER (v Ulster): D Crotty; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, AN Other; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey, M O'Driscoll; AN Other, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements - M Horan, J Fogarety, T Tierney, C McMahon, J Staunton, AN Other, AN Other.
