All two the good for Byrne: The number two has been synonymous with the playing career of Blackrock, Leinster and Ireland hooker Shane Byrne since taking up the game of rugby as a schoolboy in Blackrock College. Apart from a brief flirtation with the position of flanker Byrne has always worn the number two jersey of hooker.
It is perhaps therefore not surprising to learn that earlier this week he and his wife Caroline became the proud parents of twin girls, Kerry and Alex, the couple's first children. To honour the birth of his daughters, Byrne was afforded the opportunity to lead out the Leinster team for Friday night's Celtic League victory over Newport and the province marked the occasion with an emphatic victory.
After that several of the players headed for Stradbrook where there was a quiet celebration to wet the babies' heads.
All woe for the Exiles
London Irish's woes continued apace on the playing field, their latest defeat coming at the hands of Sale at the weekend. The game was broadcast live on Sky Sports and the travails of the Exiles made for pretty grim viewing. So why the big change from last year? Well one reason is certainly the absence of Brendan Venter from the starting line-up - he is determined to take a non-playing role this season - and the loss of form of several players.
Last season's Golden Boot winner, outhalf Barry Everitt, has struggled with his place-kicking a little this season - he had a staggering 83 per cent success rate last season - and this has manifested itself in other aspects of his game. Irish rely heavily on Everitt in every facet of the game.
Bob Casey had a prominent game in the second row, Justin Bishop was no less effective in the centre, although his opportunities were diluted by the quality of ball he received. Kieron Dawson, sporting a natty line in headgear, worked hard, making one fine break but the balance of a backrow that included Declan Danaher and the former Leicester Tiger, Paul Gustard, appeared a bit lightweight.
London Irish have now lost five games from six in the Zurich Premiership and find themselves just one point ahead of Bristol, who have played a game less. It is hardly the type of form that augurs well for the club's first outing ever in the Heinken European Cup next weekend. They are included in a group that includes Newport (struggling equally badly), Toulouse (not the force they once were) and Edinburgh.
Last season's form would more than suffice to make the quarter-finals but with the panacea for this year's ills still some way distant, Irish face a tough campaign.
Deane the man in form
Mel Deane continues to give his former Buccaneers boss and current Ireland coach, Eddie O'Sullivan, some food for thought in relation to his form. Deane travelled with the Ireland party to New Zealand during the summer, and at the time was a mildly-surprising choice.
On Saturday he won the man-of-the-match award for his performance in Sale's victory over London Irish. He scored one of his side's four tries, running an excellent cutback on a short pop pass and then bamboozled former Springbok wing Pieter Roussouw with some nifty footwork to cross close to the posts. Deane did very well going forward but still needs to address defensive lapses, most notably on this occasion when he missed London Irish fullback Michael Horak in the run-up to Paul Sackey's try.
Tierney impressing
It was a mixed weekend for Ireland's other wild geese in England. Kevin Maggs scored one try and made another for England centre Mike Tindall but it still wasn't enough to help Bath to victory over Leicester at Welford Road. There was better news for the Tigers new scrumhalf, former Garryowen, Munster and Ireland scrumhalf Tom Tierney - he played for 75 minutes - who has begun to make an impression in recent weeks.
The club are still without Geordan Murphy, although he is expected to return within the next fortnight to first team colours. Darragh O'Mahony suffered a pretty joyless afternoon with Saracens at Kingsholm, a ground Munster visit next week when they take on Gloucester in the first round of the Heineken European Cup. O'Mahony's Saracens were tonked 44-14.
Lynagh gets an ace
Michael Lynagh proved that he still retains a golden touch off the rugby pitch now that he is retired from the game. The former Australian great was playing alongside compatriot and professional golfer Stephen Leaney in the Dunhill Links championship at the St Andrews, Kingsbarn and Carnoustie courses. Lynagh, playing the 174-yard, par three sixth, knocked a six iron straight down the flag, for a hole-in-one.
Among the other sporting celebrities taking part was former-All Black legend Zinzan Brooke, who could teach his fellow New Zealander, Smurfit European Open winner Michael Campbell, a thing or two about the game, judging by the scoring. At one point the pro-am team of Brooke and Campbell were 12 under par; given that Campbell was four over at that juncture it just shows you how well Brooke was playing.
Keep an eye on Russia
It will be interesting to see how Ireland's two opponents in the qualifying stage for next season's World Cup, Russia and Romania, fare when the 2003 European Nations Cup - the second division Six Nations Championship - gets under way on February 15th, when defending champions Romania travel to Prague to face the newly-promoted Czechs.
The Czechs replace last year's bottom team in the table, Holland, a country they thrashed 54-12 in a recent international.
The Czechs have been severely disrupted by the floods that hit their country recently and are unlikely to trouble the Romanians. However, the latter will face stiff competition for the overall crown from both Russia and Georgia. The Russians must travel to Bucharest this time around. Nearly 50,000 fans turned up in the Tbilisi stadium to see Romania defeat Georgia 31-23 the last time in the championship decider.
Bermuda date for Claw
Peter Clohessy's retirement won't preclude him from donning his playing gear next month. The sunny shores of Bermuda await the former Ireland prop as he has been named in a Barbarians team to take part in the 15th Bermuda Classic, a tournament for veterans. Clohessy will join former internationals from Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland in a team managed by former Lions and Wales second row Allan Martin.
