Mike Brewer, the 32-times capped New Zealand forward, is proving that at 36 years of age his passion for playing the game has not diminished. Brewer who coached Blackrock College, West Hartlepool and Italian Side L'Aquila amongst others in recent years is commuting to England twice a week to play with division one side Bracknell.

Although based in Dublin with the corporate event specialists, Hospitality Ireland, he flies across for training on a Thursday night, spends Fridays at business meetings in London, plays a match on a Saturday and then returns to Dublin. It would be fair to say that he must be a valued Aer Lingus customer.