Woods takes over at players' body

Niall Wood's appointment as the first chief executive of the Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) was officially confirmed yesterday, although he has been in the job for over a month now.

Woods (31), had his playing career cut short by a serious knee injury: he played his last match for Harlequins in January 2001. That August the surgeon confirmed he should not play professionally again, and two months later he joined the Professional Rugby Players Association (PRA) in England, working alongside former England centre Damian Hopley, until the end of December 2002.

"I was keen to move back here and the opportunity arose to try to fulfil the same role here in Ireland. My objectives are to promote and protect the welfare of our members and help them plan for their post-rugby careers."

Woods enjoyed an auspicious career, playing for Blackrock College, London Irish, Harlequins, Leinster and Ireland.

The former winger believes the IRUPA, established in October 2001, is "the final cog in the wheel. The rugby structures are so good here that even England are envious."

At the last count 116 of the 120 professional contracted players in Ireland were affiliated to the IRUPA, but Woods believes every professional player will join once the structures are in place.

The annual subscription will be €100 and the organisation will be funded in part by the IRFU as well as commercial interests.

The Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi-finals will take place at Donnybrook (4.15) next Monday and Tuesday. Terenure College take on Belvedere College on Monday, while St Mary's face Blackrock the following day.