Former Wallaby U21 supremo, John Warr, is set to join Garryowen as first team coach following the departure of Andy Earle to Dungannon. Warr, from new South Wales, had been hotly tipped to inherit the vacant position left by Earle who was at the Dooradoyle club for the last three years.

Warr will meet with Garryowen officials next week to finalize contractual issues. "We have parted way with Andy and now we're aiming to bring Warr here," according to Hon. Secretary John Griffin, "but we have to get a work permit sorted out first. However we're ninety percent sure he will be in charge for the coming season."

Meanwhile David Clarke, Director of the Garryowen U21 Academy, has renewed his contract for a further twelve months. Clarke, who in the past has worked with the new South Wales Rugby Union and the New South Wales Institute of Sport, will continue to work at The Garryowen Rugby Academy - the first of its kind to be established by an Irish club where the aim is to develop players' skills for senior rugby.