29 July 2003: Seven Ulster Players have been named among the squad of 40 Ireland players to take part in a training camp in Athlone next week, including Neil Doak, who has now recovered from his shoulder injury.
The three Ulster Players named among the forwards are Simon Best and Paul Shields who won their first caps on the recent tour to Tonga and Samoa, and Gary Longwell, who has been capped 24 times for Ireland.
Former Ulster player, Justin Fitzpatrick, now with Castres, is also named among the forwards.
Neil Doak is called into to the squad amongst the backs, having missed the tour to Australia, Tonga and Samoa with a shoulder injury. David Humphreys, Jonathan Bell and Tyrone Howe, who all participated in the summer tour, are also named.
Also returning to the squad, is Keith Wood, who has not played Test rugby since playing against Russia in the World Cup qualifying match on September 21 last .
The Ireland squad training will feature a “Public Open Session” at Buccaneers ground, Ericsson Park, Athlone on Wednesday, August 6 from 2 to 3 pm when players will be available to sign autographs.
Ulster’s James Topping has not been considered for the training camp due to a groin injury. Munster’s Ronan O’Gara and Leinster’s Emmet Byrne, also miss out, with a wrist and neck injury respectively.
The Athlone training squad of 40 is:-
Forwards (21) – Simon Best (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins), Shane Byrne (Leinster – Blackrock College), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster – Greystones), Leo Cullen (Leinster – Blackrock College), Victor Costello (Leinster – St. Mary ’s College), Kieron Dawson (London Irish), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Justin Fitzpatrick (Castres), Anthony Foley (Munster – Shannon), Keith Gleeson (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), John Hayes (Munster – Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster – Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster – Ballymena), Eric Miller (Leinster – Terenure College), Donnacha O’Callaghan (Munster – Cork Constitution), Paul O’Connell (Munster – Young Munster), Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), Alan Quinlan (Munster – Shannon), Paul Shields (Ulster – Ballymena), David Wallace (Munster – Garryowen), Keith Wood ( – ).
25 July 2003: On Friday July 11th, 2003, the IRFU's Strategic Planning Group (SPG) launched the first ever consultative process on the future of Irish rugby. The launch co-incided with the publication of the SPG's Consultative Document titled 'Taking Irish Rugby Forward' that identifies the main factors influencing the sport in Ireland and offers ways of addressing the key issues.
17 July 2003: Past skipper and 5th XV stalwart "Wally Weatherup" will be marrying his fianance Rozie next week, and openly invites all 5th XV and tourists and friends at Belfast Harlequins to their evening reception at Malone House on Friday 25th July 2003 at 8:15pm.
17 July 2003: Dawson McConkey former Collegians 1st XV player was elected President of Irish Colleges Rugby for the season 2003-2004
9 July 2003: While Ulster will continue to wear their traditional white home jersey a new range of alternative wear has been introduced for the start of the 2003-04 season.
Andrew Maxwell, Tony McWhirter and Neil McMillan are pictured here wearing the new Ulster rugby jerseys in forest green, scarlet, grey marl and white.
Andrew is wearing the Training Jersey, Tony is wearing the Away Jersey and Neil is wearing the Supporter's Jersey, all of which are on sale now at Ravenhill.
Jerseys: Adult £55.00, Child £40.00
02 July 2003: Congratulations to the following players who have been named in the Ulster Squad for the in comming season. Forwards: Simon Best, Clem Boyd, Neil Best and Roger Wilson. Backs: Neill Doak and Rees Spee. We wish them all well and look forward to some impressive performances from them all during the season ahead |
