The News Review:
- Croke Park for Heineken Cup?
- Byrne: Wales will fear no-one in Six Nations Championship
- ‘Driscoll confirmed as Ireland captain
- Harlequins Win Clinch Top Group Spot in Heineken Cup
Croke Park for Heineken Cup?
The Press Association
The two provinces who have yet to play their quarter-final ties will meet should they progress to the last four. Thomond Park has been ruled out as a possible venue. Munster would be deemed the home side after they were drawn out first but competition rules mean they cannot host a semi-final at the same venue as they played their pool games or quarter-final.
Byrne: Wales will fear no-one in Six Nations Championship
Walesnline United Kingdom
Byrne was forced to sit out the spreys’ final Heineken Cup group game against Leicester Tigers last weekend with a twisted ankle. But Byrne (pictured below) – widely regarded as the best full-back in world rugby after an extraordinary 12 months – has vowed he will be fully fit for the Championship opener against Scotland on February 8. “I’m getting there and I’ve no doubts that I won’t make it” he said. “I’ve done a bit of rehab on it’s feeling much better now. ”Byrne’s bulletin will be of huge relief to Wales given his growing importance to Warren Gatland’s team.
‘Driscoll confirmed as Ireland captain
Irish Times Ireland
The venue for this match is likely to be outside Ireland. The developmental summer tour will see Ireland take on Canada and the USA at the end of May when they hope to introduce new faces to the international scene. As the tour is scheduled at the same time as the latter stages of the Heineken Cup the touring squad will contain players who are not involved in Leinster and Munster’s bids for European glory. Senior players will also be gearing up for the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa at this time. The Ireland coaching staff also said they will be covering the Ireland A team in the Churchill Cup tournament to take place during June. Between the summer tour and the Churchill Cup over 60 players should feature as part of Kidney’s grand plans to create greater strength and depth for the international side. “This plan for the year allows us to spread the net across a greater number of players and to get to know them in the best way possible on the training field and in international level games” added Kidney.
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Harlequins Win Clinch Top Group Spot in Heineken Cup
Bloomberg
24 (Bloomberg) — The Harlequins ran in four tries todefeat the Scarlets 29-24 and finish atop their group inEuropean rugby?s Heineken Cup. Chris Robshaw George Robson James Percival and TomWilliams all touched down for the Harlequins. The London clubhad already been assured of a spot in the quarterfinals ofEurope?s top club competition and the victory clinched the topspot in Pool 4. The first-place teams in each of the six pools advance tothe quarterfinals along with the two best-second place squads. The Leicester Tigers lost to the spreys 15-9 but stillqualified for the quarterfinals as Pool 3 winner.