Donal Lenihan has been given the job to manage the British Lions tour to Australia in 2001. Lenihan, a Lions player in 1983, 1986 and 1989 won 52 caps for Ireland, including 17 as captain and is currently manager of the Irish team. "It has always been my goal to manage the Lions team and I am looking forward immensely to the challenge. Fran Cotton's achievement as manager of the victorious 1997 Lions is a hard act to follow, but also inspirational for 2001," Lenihan added. Lions committee chairman Dr Syd Millar said, "It was the unanimous view of the committee that Donal is the best equipped candidate to lead the challenge of beating Australia. We see his vast rugby experience, coupled with his managerial organisation and commercial skills, as the key to the success of the tour".
Meanwhile, any lingering hopes that Leinster may have had of being reinstated into this season's European Rugby Cup were well and truly dashed today when European Cup Limited rejected Leinster's appeal against the decision to fine Stade Francais for fielding an ineligible player in a Pool match at Donnybrook in November. Leinster were hoping to have the French team thrown out of the competition. The company's statement said their decision was in accordance with the tournament rules, and was final.
In other news, it has been confirmed that Sunday's AIB League Division 1 match between Garryowen and Shannon will now start at 3.00pm and not at 2.30pm.
