Compiled by JOHNNY WATTERSON

Not the life of O'Reilly

THIS WEEK 41 years ago, 1970, Ireland wing Bill Brown dropped out of the match against England very late only to be replaced by the then veteran Lion turned businessman Tony O’Reilly for the game on the following day.

O’Reilly was well advanced in his business career and had not played a Test match since 1963.

But he started the match out wide as England went on to finally nick the points 9-3.

O’Reilly tells a story against himself about hearing shouts from the crowd to the effect that he should be replaced by none other than his chauffeur.

Rugby speak

“He (O’Driscoll) said to me afterwards, ‘Jeez, I’m sorry for butchering the pass that could have given you a try on your debut.’ That’s the only reason it’s being made a big deal about because it’s Drico and he doesn’t tend to throw passes like that very often.”

– Irish winger Fergus McFadden on his captain’s sky-high pass against Italy that deprived him of a probable try on his first cap.

Pivotal win Lux prevails

IT PASSED during the week without much fuss, but the re-election of Jean-Pierre Lux as chairman of the European Rugby Cup (ERC) for three more years was a pivotal victory for the Frenchman and his supporters within the ERC.

Leicester director Peter Wheeler enthusiastically ran against him in the hope of getting enough votes to edge out the man who has been in the job since 1999. Premiership Rugby was lobbying for Wheeler, a former England hooker, who vowed to change how European rugby was run.

This all happened to the backdrop of Lux falling out with the French clubs three years ago when they threatened to pull out of the Heineken Cup and the Challenge Cup in a dispute over shareholding and voting rights. Wheeler was hoping he would gain their support.

Far from it being a straightforward rubber-stamp victory for Lux, it was hard-fought and a critical win for the status quo in European rugby.

Two new names in Irish pot

THE FINELY named Finlay Bealham from Belfast Harlequins and centre Nathaniel McDonald from Coventry might be two names unfamiliar to those who came through the rugby schools’ and academy ranks in Ireland. That’s because both were effectively “spotted” by Ireland under-20s coach Mike Ruddock.

The Welshman became aware of the Australia A schools’ loosehead prop Bealham when the then ACT Brumbies player sent Ruddock over some DVDs of matches with a view to moving to Ireland. He is Irish qualified and currently attached to Belfast Harlequins and the Ulster academy.

McDonald was known to Ruddock since the coach’s stint in charge of Worcester Warriors. While Ruddock was doing that job, McDonald was going through the club academy. Hey presto, two new names in the Irish pot.

Rugby has become the third-fastest growing sport in the US, according to a major study on sports participation.

Conducted by the Sports Goods Manufacturers Association, the survey showed that rugby came in behind fast-pitch softball and ice hockey.

TG4 CARRY ON REGARDLESS

WHILE THE company which supplies TG4 with their live rugby from Italy has gone into liquidation, the station will continue to broadcast matches and will be showing Munster’s game on Sunday against Treviso live.

Dahlia TV, a pay-for-view network, has been liquidated but assurances from Magners League and the company itself means TG4 will be able to broadcast Sunday’s game.

French unit New pairing

WE ARE used to seeing Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll lining out in the Irish centre, a partnership French coach Marc Lievremont recently called a “gem”.

The two have partnered each other in 38 Test matches, as well as in dozens of matches with Leinster, where they also operate as a highly effective unit.

With Damien Traille and Aurelien Rougerie in the French centre, Lievremont has selected his 19th pair of centres since he took over the French reins three years ago.

Traille, who was playing at fullback against Scotland last week before Maxime Mermoz went off injured, has not started for France at centre since they toured Australia in 2009 and has played in the position just five times in 13 matches for Biarritz.

O’Driscoll might have played all of his professional rugby with Leinster since he left UCD, but the Ireland captain and several of his team-mates are not the only players to remain loyal to one club.

O’Driscoll’s opposite number tomorrow, Clermont’s Aurelien Rougerie, has played with the club since his mini rugby days before debuting for the senior team as a 19-year-old.