News round-upThere is a strong possibility that Munster's Jeremy Manning will line out against the Newport Gwent Dragons this weekend as a replacement for outhalf Ronan O'Gara in their Celtic League clash in Wales.
O'Gara suffered a nasty gash to his leg below the knee in Munster's European Cup semi-final against Perpignan in Lansdowne Road last Saturday, which could leave the door open for the young New Zealand-born outhalf.
The concern is not whether the Irish number 10 is able to play or not, but whether it is prudent given the Heineken European Cup semi-final against Leinster in Dublin two weeks later.
Flanker, Denis Leamy, who had trouble with his injured ankle at the end of the same game, is expected to recover, although, his place on the trip to Wales will not be known until today when Munster name their extended squad. The starting team will be selected later in the week. The Munster medical staff attended to Leamy when he hobbled off late in the match after a Perpignan player fell on him.
Manning has played in a number of Munster games this season but last started a Celtic League match back in December of last year in their game against Connacht. The New Zealand Schools' player kicked four penalties and a conversion against Michael Bradley's side and was then replaced by O'Gara after 65 minutes. The 20-year-old also made an appearance at Lansdowne Road last weekend when he and Christian Cullen came on after 80 minutes.
Cullen, Mike Mullins and former Irish centre, Rob Henderson are also expected to have a run at the weekend and possibly force their way into contention for the European Cup game.
Manning won't be Irish-qualified through residency until next year but Munster's New Zealander is considered the pick of the young bunch of number 10s that currently operate some distance behind O'Gara.
In Leinster, Felipe Contepomi, who finished the game against Toulouse with a bandage around his head, is expected to be fit for Leinster's Celtic league tie against Border Reivers at 9.00pm on Friday night. The Argentine playmaker had a couple of stitches inserted but like Gordon D'Arcy, who injured his shoulder in the same game, is likely to be named in today's extended squad.
There is no serious concern over either player. Leinster have one more game after Friday and that has been scheduled for Lansdowne Road on April 14th against Llanelli Scarlets.
A squad of 26 players has been named in the Ireland Schools' squad that will take part in a Four Nations under-18 schools' tournament in Gloucester from 15th-22nd April. The same squad of players will travel to Toulon to play a French schools' side as a warm-up game for the tournament and will play on Saturday in Stade Marquet at 3.0pm.
IRELAND UNDER-18 SQUAD: C Quinn (Methodist), J Smith (Campbell), E O'Malley (Belvedere), P Brophy (St Michael's), S Deasy (PBC Cork); D Moore (Blackrock), P Karayiannis (RBAI), S Douglas (RBAI), M Nelson (Wallace High School), J Sandford (Royal School Armagh), B Cawley (Blackrock), P Ryan (Blackrock), D Johnston (Methodist), K Essex (CBC Cork). Replacements: M Sherry (Ard Scoil Rís), P McCabe (Belvedere), S Archer (CBC Cork), P Mallon (St Michael's), K Hanley (Crescent), J Slattery (Belvedere), M Wilson (Rainey Endowed School), A Burke (Crescent), C Cleary (St Michael's), E Broderick (St Munchin's), D Mongan (Belvedere). Coach: P Melia (CBC Cork). Assistant coach: P Barr (PBC Cork ). Manager: L Balfe (De la Salle Churchtown). SCHEDULE: 15th April: England v Ireland, Cheltenham RFC, 2.00pm; 18th April: Wales v Ireland, Lydney RFC 4.00pm; 21st April: Scotland v Ireland, Gloucester RFC 2.00pm.
