RUGBY: The Argentinian 44-man party arrived in Ireland yesterday morning but without their boots, runners and socks after officials with the Italian airline Alitalia withheld some of the tourists' luggage because of excess weight.
The Argentinians, much like Roy Keane, were said to be distinctly unamused.
The setback appeared likely to disrupt their training schedule but help was at hand in the guise of former Irish outhalf Paul Dean.
A director with Umbro in Ireland, Dean supplied all but three injured members of the entire 33-man playing squad with boots, runners and socks to facilitate their planned session at Naas rugby club.
The new floodlights at the Naas club also helped to illuminate another grey wet day.
However, one fly in the ointment is that their loose-head Roberto Grau, formerly with Saracens and a surivor of the last three meetings between the countries, will miss Saturday's Test due to a shoulder injury which will be examined by a specialist today to see whether it is torn or dislocated.
Leinster will play a warm-up game against the Scottish Borders in Donnybrook on Friday, November 29th (7.30) before the resumption of the European Cup the following weekend when they travel to Montferrand.
Ulster and Connacht, who are involved in the Celtic League quarter-finals that weekend away to Glasgow and Munster respectively, will have a warm-up game against each other on Thursday at Stevenson Park (kick-off 6.0 p.m.) in Dungannon.
