EVEN Max Clifford would struggle to put a positive spin on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.

IT IS somewhat unfortunate that the ongoing saga about the IRFU ticketing policy has overshadowed the return of international rugby to its traditional home in Lansdowne Road.

NOVEMBER could prove an explosive month on and off the field.

AFTER only a few minutes of Saturday’s Heineken Cup contest at the Madejski Stadium, it became abundantly clear just why we love this tournament so much.

BACK in November 1967 The Beatles released yet another hit album, the Magical Mystery Tour, which summed up precisely where they were at, at that point in time.

NOW THAT the Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy cups have found new homes in Munster, the focus of attention within the province switches to those serial achievers that represent Munster rugby.

NOTHING has changed in the land of the long white cloud.

IT’S THE same question every year. As sure as Cork and Kerry will produce a draw in the Munster football championship, we speculate as to who from the home nations is capable of producing any kind of a win on the annual summer sojourns to the southern hemisphere.

NOW that the silverware has been distributed for a variety of tournaments all over Europe a period of quiet reflection and planning will commence for next season.

SATURDAY sees the culmination of the domestic competitions in this part of the world with the Magners League, Guinness Premiership and the French Top 14 championship all up for grabs.