I think this game that s planned for Twickenham is a nonsense. It comes right bang in the middle of the Six Nations and ahead of the Heineken Cup quarter finals. Just can t imagine either Eddie O Sullivan or Mike Ruddock being too delighted to be releasing players.

But wait a minute, Brian O Driscoll has pulled out. So too Fabien Pelous. Why because it s a nonsense and the possibility of injury with serious games ahead looms large.

And for what ? No not for Tsunami victims.

It must be recalled that some years back the idea a northern hemisphere v southern hemisphere was raised and subsequently shot down.

Why ? Because of the existing schedules, crowded season, player fatigue, etc etc.

So they dress it up, use the tsunami disaster as an excuse and say here we go again.

And don t say, look at the money that ll be raised. Because already we re being told that some of the proceeds will be siphoned off for other uses never mind the cost of shipping players in to play.

And if the IRB wanted to raise money through their organisation for this cause all they had to do was pledge a couple of euro out of every ticket sold during the Six Nations and they d have earned more. A similar idea could have been worked during the Super 12.

What odds Paul O Connell pulling out before Saturday. If Eddie O has any sense he ll advise him to pull a sickie . It s nonsense another glorious opportunity for the blazers to strut their stuff.

Gerry O Keeffe - Cork.