News: Challenge Cup Registrations/McCarter Plays For Barbarians

…New Zealander Gavin Williams takes on John Hayes during Connacht’s Celtic League defeat to Munster in December…

Connacht have registered Galwegians prop Ross Davies and Southern Hemisphere centres Andrew Mailei and Gavin Williams for the knock-out stages of the European Challenge Cup.

Each of the Challenge Cup quarter-finalists are allowed to nominated between one and three players for the tournament’s final stretch, which begins on Friday, March 31 with the last-eight clash between Newcastle Falcons and Connacht (Kingston Park Stadium, kick-off 7.30pm).

Davies, a noted tighthead, comes in as front row cover, while Tongan international Mailei, who scored his first try for the province last time out against Leinster, and Williams, the son of former All Black winger Bryan Williams, will bolstered the westerners’ injury-hit midfield sector. Young centres John Hearty (broken jaw) and Keith Matthews (hip) both sustained injuries in the recent defeat to Leinster.

However, fit-again duo Darren Yapp and Mark McHugh will come into the centre reckoning for the Newcastle game, possibly with James Downey as well. The 6ft 4in Downey returned from a long term injury to put in a 15-minute cameo in Clontarf’s 20-16 AIB League win at UCD on March 4.

Mailei, who signed a one-year deal in October, has played six times for Connacht in the Celtic League, while Williams has made two league appearances since joining in November.

Meanwhile, Ireland Under-21 prop Callum Black, who is set to play against England U-21 tomorrow night, has been added to Worcester’s squad as front row cover for the Challenge Cup’s knock-out stages. The U-21 6 Nations clash between Ireland and England takes place at the Warriors’ home ground of Sixways (kick-off 8.00pm).

City of Derry out-half Richard McCarter played for the Barbarians last night (Wednesday) in the invitational side’s impressive 63-17 win over East Midlands in Bedford. The match – the Mobbs Memorial clash – was dominated by former Wales lock Craig Quinnell who scored five of the Barbarians’ 11 tries.

McCarter, whose father Gerald coaches Division Three outfit City of Derry and assisted with the Ireland AIB Club International team last week, converted Quinnell’s second try and a penalty try, and lasted the full 80 minutes. The young Irishman was partnered at half-back by Cardiff Blues’ Dean Dewdney, a Zimbawean international.

The Baa-Baas were captained by former Springbok Bobby Skinstad.

McCarter impressed when making his debut for the Baa-Baas in last November’s 45-6 victory over the Combined Services.