Digest: AWARD: Jean-Pierre Rives was presented with the prestigious 2005 Wild Geese Award at the annual Ireland Funds' Wild Geese Ball, attended by some 500 guests, in Dublin last night.
The award, presented by Anthony O'Reilly, honours the recipients' achievements and their significant contribution in their chosen field.
Previous winners have included Pat Cox, John Hume, Brendan Kennelly, John O'Conor, Michael Smurfit, Neil Jordan and Séamus Heaney.
Speaking at the event, Pierre Joannon, president of the Ireland Fund of France, said: "It is timely that on the eve of the Ireland versus France Six Nations rugby international, we are presenting the Wild Geese Award to one of France's greatest rugby players and ambassadors."
COLLEGES: Right at the death, the Munster Colleges stuck the knife into Leinster as outhalf John Lillis converted an Alan O'Boyle try to clinch the interprovincial final 10-8 at Railway Union yesterday.
After Munster had camped in the Leinster 22 for most of the final quarter, O'Boyle was at last driven over near the corner flag in injury time.
Lillis had put Munster in front with an early penalty but Stephen Rocket took full advantage of a lineout mix-up to give Leinster a 5-3 interval lead. Philip De Barra missed the conversion but atoned with a second-half penalty before the steely nerve of Lillis prevailed.
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP: Leicester bounced back from their defeat at Northampton to maintain their 14-month unbeaten home league record with a 15-6 victory over London Irish at Welford Road last night.
For the Exiles, it was a sixth defeat in eight league games and can only have increased their relegation concerns.
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