AS anticipated, following the injuries sustained last Saturday playing Transvaal, Francois Pienaar, Africa's World Cup winning yesterday withdrew from the side to meet Ireland in Peace International at Road next Saturday.

Pienaar damaged a knee cartilage ligaments and sustained a broken nose in the Superb 12 match against Queensland. As yet no replacement has been named for Pienaar and the captaincy of the side is likely to be taken over by England centre and Bath captain Philip de Glanville. He led Bath to the cup and league double in England this season.

Plenaar said yesterday. "There is no way I would be able to play. I am very disappointed as it would have been a great honour to have led the Barbarians, especially in such a match. I fully support the concept behind Abe match." There is some suggestion that Pienaar may travel to Dublin to lend his support to the occasion.

The Ireland team will assemble in Dublin tomorrow evening. They may have a run out at Belfield tomorrow night, but will definitely train at Lansdowne Road at 11.0 am one Thursday and complete preparations with a short session on Friday morning at Anglesea Road.

The Barbarians are not due to assemble until Thursday. There are provisional arrangements for a training session at the Blackrock College ground, Williamstown, on Thursday evening and they are also due to train at the same venue on Friday.