Fascinating front row: In the light of what happened on the pitch on Saturday, an enjoyable post-match banquet for the respective front rows was possibly out of the question.
Usually seated together, the Argentine players would have brought a lot to the table and not just their bulk so to speak.
Omar Hasan is a semi-professional operatic singer so he could have serenade the assembled cast. Loosehead prop Rodrigo Roncero is a qualified doctor so he could attend to any bangs or bruises while replacement hooker Federico Mendez makes his own wine and so presumably would have been able to spot the table a bottle or two from his own cellar. Given that there was precious little to sing about Hasan might have been underemployed but Roncero would have been in demand.
By the way Mendez exports wine to Ireland and apparently it's doing a fairly decent trade in the pubs. Speaking at a lunch during the week he was asked who was the best hooker he's ever come across in rugby. His response: "I look in the mirror and say, 'he's not bad'."
Priestman a blessing
It seems that Ireland were fated to beat South Africa at Lansdowne Road last Saturday fortnight once young David Priestman was selected to be the Irish team's mascot. It was Ireland's first victory (of two) over the Springboks since 1965.
Demonstrating a curious symmetry, the last occasion that the Irish women's hockey team beat South Africa was also in 1965, winning 3-2 in Belfast. The captain that day was Joan Horne, now Joan Priestman, David's grandmother.
Another string to Bowes Tommy Bowe has been upstaged in the family stakes by his younger sister Hannah. Just a week after marking his Ireland debut with a try against the USA at Lansdowne Road, Tommy has been usurped, headlines-wise, by his sister. The teenager scored a hat-trick for Ulster in a 7-0 win over Connacht during the weekend's senior inter-provincials.
It's amazing the way that some of the current crop of rugby players manages to be upstaged by siblings in the sporting arena from time to time. And it's generally in hockey that the distaff side of the family thrive as Karen (David's sister) Humphreys and Catriona (Malcolm's sister) O'Kelly have proved while wearing the green of Ireland.
Under 21s struggle
Ireland may have reached the final of the Under 21 World Cup last season before being beaten by New Zealand at Hughenden but judging by a couple of friendly matches in Paris over the weekend, coach Mark McDermott will have his work cut out with the present crop.
Irish XVs took on two French selections and lost 35-0 and 15-10. Ireland's points in the latter came from a try by Chris Henry and a penalty and conversion from outhalf Gareth Steenson, in his second year on the team. McDermott will have a new assistant coach this season with Brian Walsh taking over from Pat Murray.
Ireland will hope that things improve considerably when they travel to Argentina next summer for this year's tournament.
The Under 19 World Cup will return to South Africa, where it took place last year; particularly poignant when one recalls the loss of the late John McCall. Durban is the venue.
Continuing our 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifying updates, Brazil defeated Venezuela 11-5 while in the European Nations Cup, Georgia beat Russia 27-15 while Portugal proved too strong for the Ukraine in triumphing 36-16.
Young Blacks show way
While the IRFU continue to procrastinate about addressing the issue of making the national Under-19 side competitive, the benchmark at this level, New Zealand, are working towards winning the World Cup trophy yet again.
New Zealand Under-19 coach, the wonderfully named Aussie McLean, has chosen 59 players for a trial and training camp next month. The training squad has a fresh look about it with only three players - Auckland's Nick Afoa, Hawke's Bay's Hikawera Elliot and Wellington's Seminar Manu - returning from this year's IRB Under-19 World Championship-winning side.
Those attending the trial will assemble in Rotorua on December 9th-13th and will work on skill development with a group of NZRU coaches, including Graham Mourie, Ian Jones, NZ Under-21 coach Bryce Woodward, his assistant coach Dennis Brown and specialist scrum coach Mike Cron. A trial match will be played on Monday, December 13th.
Team of the season
The Irish Times and AIB will link up again this season to sponsor the AIB/Irish Times Division One Team of the Season. Each year it gets harder and harder to chose the final 15 and we're looking for a little assistance from Planet Rugby readers.
This year's team will be chosen with the help of the Division One coaches, who will nominate three of their own players, and the best three opposition players they have seen over the season.
These players, along with those chosen by Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley, and reporters John O'Sullivan, Johnny Watterson and Gavin Cummiskey, will provide the team.
We also want you, the rugby public, to vote for your team of the season, from that list of players nominated by the Division One coaches.
Public voting will commence on Monday, April 4th, 2005 and you will be able to nominate until Monday April 25th, 2005. The AIB League/Irish Times Team of Season will be announced on Monday May 2nd.
The ten people to pick the team that matches or closely resembles the team, as chosen by The Irish Times panel, will be invited to attend the League finals day as a guest of AIB and The Irish Times. The prize consists of two tickets for the AIB finals day lunch, two stand tickets, and overnight accommodation in Dublin.
Compiled by John O'Sullivan
