Today's round-up begins with news that Keith Wood and Paddy Johns are to be inducted into Ireland's rugby hall of fame.
IRUPA AWARDS: Former Ireland and Lions hooker Keith Woods and former Ireland and Ulster lock Paddy Johns will be inducted into the Irish Rugby Union Players Association Hall of Fame at the second annual IRUPA awards ceremony, at the Dublin's Burlington Hotel on May 19th.
Wood and Johns received 58 and 59 Irish caps respectively, with Wood captaining Ireland a record 33 times. He made his international debut on Ireland's tour of Australia in June 1994, went on two Lions tours, was voted IRB Player of the Year in 2001 before retiring last year after saying "my heart and my head is willing but my body has had enough".
Johns received his first cap as a student at Trinity against Argentina in 1990 and went on to represent Ulster, Saracens and Ireland before retiring from international rugby after his last Test against Japan in November 2000. He also led Ireland 10 times.
IRUPA chief executive Niall Woods said yesterday: "Both players throughout their careers showed immense commitment to the sport of rugby, both on and off the pitch".
Wood said: "I am very proud to be accepting this award and joining my former colleagues Gaillimh (Mick Galwey) & Claw (Peter Clohessy) in the IRUPA Hall of Fame. I am looking forward to receiving the award on the night when I will no doubt be able to join in with the celebrations of the players of the Triple Crown winning team.".
LEICESTER COACHES: Leicester stalwarts Martin Johnson and Neil Back have given their seal of approval to the club's new coaching line-up.
John Wells has been named head coach after filling the role in a caretaker capacity since the February sacking of Dean Richards. He will be assisted by former Leicester players Pat Howard and Richard Cockerill, who have both returned to Welford Road from French club Montferrand.
Former Wallaby Howard will take charge of the backs while Cockerill is to contribute as a forwards coach, although he will also be available for selection.
Johnson was pleased to have the duo on board. "I'm very excited to have them both back," said the former England skipper and current Tigers captain.
"Pat brings a wealth of experience to the backs while Cockers (Cockerill) will have picked up a valuable insight into forward play from his time in France, which I'm sure will be useful to our pack."
Said Back: "It's great that Pat's back as he was liked by all the fans and kept a close relationship with a lot of the guys here - even after he left," said Back. "As for Cockers, he's exactly the sort of guy we need here. He's been away, experienced a different environment and hopefully will have picked up a few things."
