Horan in the dockMunster and Ireland prop Marcus Horan is due to appear before an ERC-commissioned independent disciplinary committee as a result of a citing arising from the Heineken European Cup Pool Five match against Llanelli Scarlets at Thomond Park last Sunday.
Horan took the field as a second-half replacement for Federico Pucciariello and was later reported by the citing commissioner for the match, Bill Dunlop (Scotland), "for the alleged kicking of Llanelli Scarlets replacement Deacon Manu (No 17) in contravention of Law 10.4 (c)."
Horan was show the yellow card for striking the Llanelli prop and spent 10 minutes in the sinbin.
The ERC statement confirmed that the independent disciplinary committee would be appointed "as soon as is practicable".
Leinster say sorry
A Leinster rugby spokesman apologised yesterday after several players were involved in an altercation when leaving their Christmas party at a venue in Kilkenny city on Sunday night, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
"We are fully aware that there was an incident and we are carrying out an internal investigation," he said. "We take it very seriously but it's an isolated incident and it's being dealt with it.
"It's regrettable as it is not a good reflection on the professional set-up of Leinster rugby. The players were forthright immediately and they were aware that it is not acceptable behaviour."
The Garda were not involved and no player suspensions are expected to result from the in-house investigation.
Tough break for Blaney
Former Leinster and current Bristol hooker Dave Blaney will be out of action for some time following a suspected broken ankle suffered in Bristol's European Cup win over Harlequins at the Memorial Ground last weekend.
Blaney scored a try after coming on as a replacement but was stretchered off shortly before the end of the match.
Hadden to keep reins
Frank Hadden, 53, who coached Scotland to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in France, has signed a new rolling contract, the Scottish Rugby Union said yesterday.
Chief executive Gordon McKie said, "Frank Hadden has presided over a tremendous turnaround in the fortunes of the national team . . . and we are therefore delighted that he has agreed to take on the challenge of . . . taking Scotland to the next level."
Hadden's position will not be reviewed again until next November.
Ashton to carry on
Brian Ashton will today be invited to take England into next year's Six Nations, along with his assistants, Mike Ford and John Wells, two months after they appeared destined for the sack after a poor start to the World Cup finals.
The Rugby Football Union's management board meets today to consider a recommendation from its elite rugby director, Rob Andrew, that the trio be offered new contracts.
Munster live and kicking
Munster travel to Stade Marcel Michelin on Sunday, January 13th, for their round five European Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne, which will kick off at 4pm local time (3pm Irish). This pivotal match involving the pool leaders and their French hosts will be screened live on Sky Sports.
Ulster are the first Irish side involved that weekend as they host Bourgoin at Ravenhill on Friday, January 11th (7.30pm), while Leinster welcome Toulouse to the RDS (1.30pm) the following day. The latter game will be televised live on Sky Sports.
ERC also confirmed the final round of fixtures, with Munster returning to their favoured Saturday evening kick-off on January 19th for their clash with Wasps at Thomond Park (5.35pm).
Leinster travel to Welford Road the same day to take on the Leicester Tigers while Ulster visit Gloucester on the Sunday (1pm). Television schedules for the final round have yet to be decided.
Connacht's final two Challenge Cup fixtures see them travel to face the Spanish side Cetransa El Salvador on Sunday, January 13th (11.30am Irish time) and just five days later they hosts Brive at the Sportsground (6.30pm).
EUROPEAN CUP - ROUND FIVE
( ** Television highlights *** Live via interactive. All kick-off times Irish)
Friday, Jan 11th: Pool Two - Ulster v Bourgoin, 7.30pm; Pool Three - Stade Français v Bristol, 8pm (Sky Sports ***); Cardiff v Harlequins, 8pm (Sky Sports).
Saturday, Jan 12th: Pool One - London Irish v N-G Dragons, 1.30pm (S4C**, Sky Sports***); Perpignan v Treviso, 5.30pm; Pool Two - Ospreys v Gloucester, 5.30pm (Sky Sports); Pool Four - Saracens v Biarritz, 3.30pm; Viadana v Glasgow, 1.30pm; Pool Six - Leinster v Toulouse, 1.30pm (Sky Sports); Edinburgh v Leicester, 3.30pm.
Sunday, Jan 13th: Pool Five - Clermont v Munster, 3pm; Wasps v Llanelli, 1pm (Sky Sports).
ROUND SIX
Friday, Jan 18th: Pool Four - Biarritz v Viadana, 8pm; Glasgow v Saracens, 8pm.
Saturday, Jan 19th: Pool One - N-G Dragons v Perpignan, 1.30pm; Treviso v London Irish, 1.30pm; Pool Five - Munster v Wasps, 5.35pm; Llanelli v Clermont Auvergne, 5.35pm; Pool Six - Toulouse v Edinburgh, 3.30pm; Leicester v Leinster, 3.30pm.
Sunday, Jan 20th: Pool Two - Gloucester v Ulster 1pm; Bourgoin v Ospreys 1pm; Pool Three - Bristol v Cardiff, 3pm; Harlequins v Stade Français, 3pm.
