O’Sullivan To Finalise His Bench Tomorrow

06/06/02. Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan will wait until tomorrow (Friday) before announcing who will be on the bench for Saturday’s tour opener against the New Zealand Divisional XV in Timaru

It is understood that O’Sullivan has had discussions with the New Zealand Divisional officials in an effort to allow him tog nine substitutes instead of the usual seven.

The move is seen as a attempt by the Irish coach to givbe as many players as possible a run out ahead of the upcomg Test games.

The Ireland side went through a rigorous training session this morning at the Alpine Energy Stadium on a pitch adjacent to the main pitch. Declan Kidney put the backline through their paces while O’Sullivan and Niall O’Donovan concentrated on the forwards who spent some time on a Supa Powa scrummaging machine.

After the session the players make their now regular visit to the swimmimg pool before heading off to visit schools in the Timaru area.