PLANET RUGBY:NO IRISH player has been included for the Barbarians fixture against England at Wembley on December 3rd. The game is being billed as the Olympic Centenary rugby match.

The Barbarians team is dominated by Southern Hemisphere players, with a couple of high profile exceptions in England captain Steve Borthwick and Wales wing Shane Williams (pictured).

It clashes with European teams preparing for the two December rounds of the Heineken Cup, guaranteeing that no clubs would want to release their players.

BARBARIANS SQUAD: Percy Montgomery (South Africa), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Joe Rococoko (New Zealand), Shane Williams (Wales), Rico Gear (New Zealand), Jean de Villiers (South Africa), Ollie Smith (England), Francois Trinh-Duc (France), George Gregan (Australia), Fourie du Preez (South Africa), R McCaw (New Zealand), Jerry Collins (New Zealand), Schalk Burger (South Africa), Nick Koster (Western Province), Chris Jack (New Zealand), Steve Borthwick (England), Bakkies Botha (South Africa), Patrice Collazo (France), Carl Hayman (New Zealand), Gurthro Steenkamp (South Africa), Mark Regan (England), John Smit (South Africa).

Credit crunch bites corporate boxes

IN AN Irish sporting context it had to be one of the most sought after tickets in town but perhaps it was a sign of the current economic climate when the first ever clash between Ireland and New Zealand at Croke Park did not sell out from a corporate perspective.

On Saturday there were several vacant corporate boxes down at the Canal End of Croke Park, a strange state of affairs given the clamour from the public for tickets.

It appears further evidence of companies reducing their expenditure on non-necessary outgoings like business client entertainment.

Further evidence was provided by reduced numbers at various corporate hospitality gigs ahead of the Test match.

Attendances were down by half in some cases and one third in others as the credit crunch bites.

This is on a weekend when arguably the biggest draw in world rugby was in town.

Brive players take English lessons to keep in touch

IF THERE was ever a definitive barometer of the numbers of foreign players diluting French club rugby then it has to centre on the decision taken by Brive's French players to learn English just so they can communicate with players on their own team.

In the French T14 Championship alone there are 207 foreigners from 22 countries, which works out at just under 15 per club. Brive has the highest number at 24, closely followed by Toulon which has 22 on its roster. Apparently 10 of Brive's Frenchman have requested English lessons and now receive three hours of tuition each week.

French coach Marc Lievremont takes a surprisingly positive view of the influx, which will be augmented by All Black outhalf Dan Carter who joins Perpignan next month. "Firstly, it turns the spotlight on our championship, and then, through his application and stature, Carter will bring an added value to his team-mates," Lievremont told Le Figaro.

Arsenal fans not too chuffed

TWO BIG television screens are a new addition to the post-match press conference facilities at Croke Park. They are a welcome addition except, perhaps, for Arsenal soccer supporters amongst the media. They wouldn't have been too chuffed to see RTÉ's Premiership programme being screened while the New Zealand press conference was taking place; albeit with the sound down.

While All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistants Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith and captain Richie McCaw offered their take on the rugby international, the highlights of Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa were on the two screens. The Manchester United fans were about to get a much more enjoyable cameo but unfortunately someone noticed the screens on and pulled the plug just as the Ireland press conference was about to start.

Still this column did manage to savour Ronaldo's free kick before the screens went blank.

France home fixture is not listed

IT SEEMS Ireland will only be playing four matches in the Six Nations Championship according to Saturday's official IRFU match programme.

While the upcoming fixture against Argentina was listed for next Saturday, the Six Nations fixtures for later in the season made no mention of the match against France at Croke Park.

Maybe it was a Freudian slip as the painful memories of the French visit two years ago, marking Ireland's first game in Croke Park was just two bitter to recall. Vincent Clerc's late try spoiled the occasion from an Irish perspective.

Hopefully the programme oversight and those memories can be amended when the French return to Dublin later in the season.

"The respect that came from everyone [was notable]. When guys take kicks at goal, there was dead silence, regardless of the team. It was a pretty special place to play. Every time we come to Dublin it's pretty awesome and it was great fun to come and play at a place like Croke Park"

- New Zealand captain Richie McCaw enjoys the Croke Park experience