**Fridays may mark the beginning of the weekend but rugby players in Ireland could be about to learn when they can get back to work and start hitting a tackle bag again.** The four Irish provinces – Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster – are hoping for further clarification from the IRFU over a possible return to training next month, [according to the Irish Mirror.](https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/rugby-union/provinces-hope-news-potential-return-21880109) May 18 is the date currently circled in the diary and the four provinces will hold a conference call with David Nucifora, the union’s head of performance. The other item on the agenda will be player contracts, with some due to expire in June. In other news, Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan has used the break in season to strengthen his coaching staff, with Simon Cross and Luke Narraway [coming on board.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52295686) Former England international Narraway will work with the forwards, while Cross joins as defence coach.
