Hayes Slips Quietly Into The Record Books

Amid the white heat of the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter final in Brive on Saturday and at a crucial time in the game John Hayes created European rugby history when he became the first player to play 100 competitive games.

And when he came on as a 58th minute replacement, the 38 year old from Cappamore in Co Limerick became just the fourth Munster player to win 200 caps for a province he first represented in August 1997.

Hayes won 99 Heineken Cup caps since making his debut in September 1998 in the Musgrave Park encounter with Italian side Petrarca, a Munster side that included his current teammates Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan.

O'Gara, also making his debut that day – he kicked a penalty and two conversions in Munster's 20-13 win – played in his 98th European tie in Brive on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Munster management report a clean bill of health, bumps and myriad bruises aside, following that quarter final win in France although schedules were changed somewhat today to allow players recover from what was an energy sapping game played in unusually high temperatures.

Munster focus switches back to the Magners and the game against Scarlets in Parc Y Scarlets on Saturday.