Planet Rugby: What do Ireland and Portugal have in common? They will both be going to the 2007 Rugby World Cup after the latter enjoyed a thrilling two-leg victory over Uruguay at the weekend.
The Portuguese compete in the European Nations Cup - a second-tier tournament behind the Six Nations Championship - but were not expected to defeat Uruguay in a battle to fill the final qualification place at this year's World Cup, as the latter have qualified for the last two finals.
However Portugal progressed by virtue of a 24-23 aggregate victory over their South American opponents in Montevideo. The Lobos, as the Portuguese team is known, were defending a 12-5 lead from the first game in Lisbon but squeezed through despite losing the second leg, 18-12. They will now join New Zealand, Scotland, Italy and Romania in Pool C next September.
The visitors' task was facilitated by the sending off of Uruguay lock Juan Bado after just two minutes of the second leg for serious foul play. The teams were tied 6-6 at the interval before Uruguay grabbed the initiative with an unconverted try by winger Martin Crosa. However a brace of penalties saw the visitors edge back in front but they had to endure a nervous final 13 minutes following a converted try by Uruguayan captain Rodrigo Capo that left just one point between the teams on aggregate.
Portugal's qualification - it is the first time they have made the finals - ends the RWC 2007 qualification process that began in September 2004 when Andorra played Norway. In total 86 countries have participated in 192 qualification matches on the road to France 2007.
Stringer sets the standard
There were a couple of significant Irish landmarks that slipped under the radar following the recent Six Nations Championship. Thanks to IRFU statistician Des Daly this column is able to tell you that Peter Stringer became the first Irish player to be on the winning side on 50 occasions for Ireland.
He managed this feat in the victory over Scotland at Murrayfield and his achievement was emulated by Ireland and Leinster captain Brian O'Driscoll in the final match of the championship against Italy at the Stadio Flaminio.
The Irish player next in line is Leinster lock and Ireland's most capped player Malcolm O'Kelly - he missed the entire Six Nations or would have grabbed the honour first - who stands on 48 victories.
Byrne punches his weight
Former Leinster and Ireland tighthead prop Emmett Byrne has decided to stay in shape through boxing. Although he's retired from professional rugby, the popular Setanta Sports rugby analyst has been working out under the watchful eye of former IABA national coach, Cuban Nicholas Cruz, a man who played a significant part in the success of Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullough when they won Olympic gold and silver medals in Barcelona.
Though not planning a late boxing career Byrne has a passionate interest in the sport. He's tried some sparring including a brief stint in the ring with Henry Coyle, who recently fought on the John Duddy undercard in New York.
Rose cut down to size
Things were certainly spiced up in a recent Super 14 game that saw All Black wing Doug Howlett put in two bone-crunching tackles on the Lions' Earl Rose that resulted in a serious injury for the diminutive fullback.
After a fiery confrontation earlier in the match where Rose appeared to headbutt the Blues' wing, Howlett responded with two huge hits on the South African. One tackle tore two tendons in his shoulder and required corrective surgery, ruling him out of all rugby for between three to five months. Fellow Lion, secondrow Cobus Grobler, also suffered a shoulder injury on the same day following tackles from Auckland Blues Nick Williams and Troy Flavell in quick succession early in the match.
Success proves popular
The 2007 Six Nations Championship proved a record-breaking hit with Irish fans, as RTÉ television's audience figures for the championship reached the highest level ever. The 15 live games covered attracted an average of 391,000 viewers. This is an increase of over a third on the average viewing figures of 286,000 reached during the 2006 tournament.
Fans tuned in to support Ireland in record numbers, with a 43 per cent increase in television viewers for all of Ireland's matches. The win over England at Croke Park set a new record by attracting a peak of 1.2 million viewers.
