Rugby News: Will he go, will he stay, or will he be removed? Over the past week or so, it seemed all three possibilities came into play with regard to the Irish fitness coach Mike McGurn, writes Gerry Thornley.

The former cross-country and 5,000 metres champion from Enniskillen, who had previously worked with rugby league clubs St Helen's, Leeds and Hull, had been offered £80,000-a-year posts as fitness coach at both Sale and Leicester but turned them down.

It had seemed that Eddie O'Sullivan had completed a significant step in his plans for putting together his management team after this World Cup and beyond the Six Nations championship after reaching agreement with McGurn that he would remain on as Ireland's fitness coach, a resolution which would have been very popular with the Irish players.

O'Sullivan had seemingly persuaded McGurn to stay on, partly on the basis of an assurance that he would have a more influential and hands-on role at provincial level as well as international level, although McGurn's most pressing concern, for more extended close-seasons in line with those for the leading Southern Hemisphere players, remains acute.

He also wanted to have more time with the international players and more "rugby-specific fitness".

However, when McGurn divulged this to the Belfast Telegraph during the week it seemingly prompted an irate reaction from certain quarters within the corridors of power at 62 Lansdowne Road.

So much so that apparently the IRFU chief executive, Philip Browne, has summonsed McGurn home from Sydney, where the fitness coach was enjoying a break after a long, uninterrupted campaign. The word on the grapevine is that McGurn might now be removed.

France flanker Serge Betsen is to appeal against his six-week ban for kicking scrumhalf Matt Dawson in the head during England's 24-7 World Cup semi-final win.

The French rugby federation said yesterday the appeal would be heard within 48 hours.