Western Province coach John Dobson says careful consideration has been given to the role flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis should fulfil in the Currie Cup, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

Catrakilis will join Jake White’s Montpellier on a two-year deal after the domestic season, with WP opting against the possibility of granting the 26-year-old an early release from his contract.

Dobson said Catrakilis’s role in the Currie Cup had been debated during the pre-season.

‘Do you play Demetri with the object of winning the Currie Cup, or do you look at the longer objectives of the union considering he’s not going to be here next year?

‘The reality is that the Currie Cup may not seem like much now, but when it gets to the sharp-end it will become very important to the region, and it’s important for us to get a home final.'

Dobson suggested Catrakilis’s role in the Currie Cup would depend largely on an injury assessment to Kurt Coleman, who subsequently received the all-clear on Monday.

‘Kurt has been battling with a shoulder injury, and if it doesn’t stand up to tests … then that could expose youngsters like Rob [du Preez] and Jean-Luc [du Plessis] … But if Kurt is OK, then Jean-Luc can work with Fleckie [U21 coach Robbie Fleck] for the season.’

Province will kick off their Currie Cup campaign against the qualifying team on 7 August.

Photo: Andreas Eiselen/HSM Images