Harris looks to rebuild

Navan rugby coach Brad Harris faces a formidable rebuilding job over the summer months with at least two central figures in the team almost certain to miss next season. Backrow forwards Sylvanus Iro and Bernard Smyth have indicated that they will not be available next season as Navan seek to consolidate their place in the AIL Div 3. This season"s captain Simon Donnelly could also miss out as he is to spend some time playing rugby in New Zealand. The Balreask Old outfit became their first club from Meath to attain AIL status in mid-April when they won a play-off that also contained City of Derry, Cashel and Monivea. Just over a week after Navan defeated Monivea to clinch their promotion to the senior ranks Iro departed for Australia to play for a Perth-based side while Smyth, who was named the Leinster League Junior player of the year, is also planning to travel. 'Losing players like that is a big blow to us but we just have to try and find replacements and there"s a number of players from Navan who are turning out with AIL clubs who, we hope, would be interested in returning to us,' said Harris.