A rugby miscellany compiled by JOHN O'SULLIVAN

Hush: Toulon make appeal

TOULON have asked their supporters to remain quiet when Munster attempt place-kicks during next Sunday’s crucial Heineken Cup match.

Stade Felix Mayol’s reputation as a cauldron is fast extending beyond the borders of France, where the Toulonnais have long been recognised as amongst the most passionate in the game.

On their official website Toulon have called on their supporters to follow the lead of Munster’s fans and “show fair play” and “respect the goal kickers of both teams during penalties/conversions” with the aim of “showing the whole of Europe the exemplariness of the Rouge Noir fans”.

Ashton admits: Winger knocked out cold in Test

ENGLAND international Chris Ashton admitted in a recent interview he should have left the pitch after being knocked unconscious in the first few minutes of a November Test against South Africa at Twickenham.

Some may recall Irish referee George Clancy tried to persuade the England medical team to permanently remove a patently groggy and disorientated Ashton who had collided with Springbok Victor Matfield’s hip.

The England international’s obvious discomfort has inspired the IRB to come up with a new ruling. A concussion working party has ruled no player will be allowed to remain on the pitch in the circumstances that saw Ashton successfully plead to stay on the pitch despite being knocked out cold.

The England wing laughed: “I’m keeping somebody employed. But I must’ve put on a good act, telling them I was fine, because I can’t remember that match . . . But it is a really good thing that they have decided to pull players off instantly now. If I had taken another bang on the head it wouldn’t have been good.”

This follows revelations from recently-retired Leinster players Bernard Jackman and John Fogarty about their own issues with concussion.

Bourgoin: Take action

IN the wake of Saturday’s drubbing by La Rochelle, Bourgoin’s president Gaston Maulin has suspended the club coaches Eric Catinot and Xavier Péméja and announced there will be no appeal of a five-point penalty meted out for playing budget irregularities. Bourgoin will play in the ProD2 next season despite there being seven rounds of the Top 14 still to play. Already in last place, CSBJ were docked five points by the league last week leaving them 17 points short of safety. The future of Catinot and Péméja will be decided today by the club’s board with reports in the French press suggesting former Brive coach Laurent Seigne will take over next season.

Seapoint: Surge home

THERE can hardly be a windier environment than Seapoint’s Kilboggert Park and that was certainly the case last Saturday as an arctic chill swept through the venue for their All-Ireland League Division Three match against City of Derry. Despite a gale blowing across the pitch both teams tried, and at times succeeded, in trying to play an expansive game. Derry led 6-0 at the interval before the home side registered nine points to win this top-of-the-table clash.

Seapoint deserve credit for producing a comprehensive team sheet to accompany the match programme that would put to shame some clubs in higher divisions for the €8 entrance fee for adults.

LEICESTER Tigers fullback and captain Geordan Murphy was stretchered off late-on in his side's victory over Northampton Saints on Saturday. Tigers coach Richard Cockerill admitted: "Geordan went over on his ankle. We are hoping for the best but it's too early to say the extent of his injury."

Ireland coach Declan Kidney will be keen to ascertain the extent of any damage as he is already without Leinster's Rob Kearney for the start of the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

On This Day in Rugby . . . JANUARY 10th, 1926

JOHN Wilson Kyle was born in Belfast but he would become more well-known under the Christian name, Jackie. The greatest Irish outhalf of all-time, and one of the best players ever to play the sport, he inspired Ireland to a Grand Slam in 1948. Kyle was also a celebrated British Irish Lion and played six Tests on the tour of New Zealand and Australia in 1950. Following his retirement Kyle went into humanitarian work, serving for 35 years as a surgeon in Zambia before returning to Ireland.

In 1999 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame, in 2002 voted as Ireland’s greatest ever player, in 2008 he was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame and in 2009 was on hand in the Millennium Stadium to see Ireland win a second Grand Slam.