Rugby tour cancelled

Press, 29 April 1981, Page 42

Rugby tour cancelled

NZPA-Reuter London The Barbarians rugby team has cancelled a fivematch tour of Zimbabwe next month, the club announced yesterday. The decision comes after the cancellation earlier this month by the Zimbabwe Government of a planned tour of Zimbabwe by the Irish chib, Greystones. That action was, in turn, taken because of Irelands rugby tour of South Africa, starting in May. The Barbarians, an invitation team made up of internationals mainly from Britain, issued a statement yesterday which said: “The club, although affiliated to the Rugby Football Union, has strong links with all four home (British) unions and representatives of these unions serve on the Barbarians’ committee. “The fact that the Irish

club. Greystones, has not been permitted to tour Zimbabwe has meant that the Barbarians’ committee should not accept its invitation to tour in the present circumstances. “The decision has been made after long discussions with the Zimbabwe Rugby Onion Committee and the four home unions, and the Barbarians committee has taken this decision with great sorrow,” the statement said. Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland’s Prime Minister. Mr Charles Haughey, is due to meet representatives of the Irish Rugby Union on Friday in another attempt to get the seven-match tour of South Africa called off. The Irish Foreign Minister, Mr Brian Lenihan, has already failed in two meetings with the LR.U. to have the tour cancelled.