All in the scrum

A rugby miscellany compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

A rugby miscellany compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

Weekend highlight: Healy's support line takes the biscuit

INDIVIDUAL PLAY of the weekend has to be Cian Healy’s support line off Isa Nacewa in the second half of Leinster’s narrow victory in Bath.

The take and subsequent offload had many observers initially believing it was Fergus McFadden or Gordon D’Arcy careering through the midfield. But no, it was the big man, who is increasingly becoming the most valuable player in Irish rugby.

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Healy’s impact after half-time was noticeable from the first breakdown and he appears to have reached a similar influence to what he once wielded for the Belvedere school’s team of 2005. Eoin O’Malley was a team-mate on that side and remembered it at last week’s Schools Cup draw.

“The key man for us that year was Cian Healy – he was pretty much the same size then as he is now. No one could cope with him really, and the rest of us were happy to jump on the bandwagon.”

Those who remember O’Malley’s performance in the 2005 final defeat of Blackrock might disagree. But you get the idea.

The Honor is all Dan's: Carter hires All Blacks security team for his big bash

LAST FRIDAY Dan Carter married former New Zealand hockey international Honor Dillon.

Don’t expect to see any pictures until the next edition of Australian Women’s Weekly hits the news stands. It was the usual celebrity wedding guff – guests show up at one destination before being transported to a secret location. So, no side-stepping of the ceremony then.

Carter even hired the All Blacks security team, Ryan Security, to avoid any uninvited guests getting a sneak peak. “Dan trusts us. We were the logical choice,” said MD James Ryan. Security guards armed with night-vision goggles patrolled the lodge and neighbouring properties, Ryan told the New Zealand Herald.

The most important question, of course, is what was Honor wearing? “The 29-year-old went for metres of ivory-coloured silk satin wrapped into a plain but beautiful dress. The colour – one shade deeper than champagne – set off Dillon’s tan, and a plunging V down the back showed just the right amount of skin. The front of the dress was less risqué, with a modest V-neck and inch-thick straps across her shoulders.

Simply “stunning” according to former All Black Aaron Mauger.

* DON’T BE confused by yesterday’s result in Glasgow. Montpellier coach Fabien Galthie has clearly checked out of this season’s Heineken Cup with 15 changes from the side he put out against Leinster at home last month. The French only lost 20-15 despite all their key players – like François Trinh Duc, Mamuka Gorgodze and captain Fulgence Ouedraogo – being rested.

* THE SECOND wave of Munster men showed well in a recent Pro12 league win over Edinburgh and the majority of them were on A duty in Tralee on Saturday in the British and Irish cup. Former Rockwell College schoolboy and Kerry native JJ Hanrahan kicked the points as Ian Costello’s side beat Ayr 9-3.

The Ulster Ravens also have their place-kicker, former Ireland under-20 James McKinney, to thank for their 17-16 win over Pontypridd at Deramore Park in Belfast.

"I have chatted a couple of times to Zebs and spoke to him just before the kick-off saying, 'This is your level. You are definitely a step above Magners League level and it's time to show everyone how good you are.' The best way is to be just chucked in there, no fear. Zebs is one for the future." – Johne Murphy talks up fellow Munster winger Simon Zebo. With Dougie Howlett gone for the season, they certainly need this to be true.