ROD KAFER and Doug Howlett are the only members of the elite north-south double winners club — but now Pedrie Wannenburg, Scott Hamilton, George Smith and Campbell Johnstone are in with the chance of adding their names to that shortest of short honours boards.

RONAN O’GARA was yesterday left “completely overwhelmed” after being named as the best player in the 15-year history of the Heineken Cup.

It has been reported that Munster have already moved to fill the hole left by Jean de Villers in signing fireball Worcester centre Sam Tuitupou, subject to passing a medical.

Munster 24 Perpignan 23

HE’S been called the forgotten man of Irish rugby, the one that got away, the one who slipped through Leinster’s net, but Leicester Tigers’ Irish winger Johne Murphy, isn’t looking back in anger.

WALES have ruled out Grand Slam winner Warren Gatland leading the Lions to South Africa.

THE Leinster sports psychologists and chaplins will be kept busy this week.

England coach Brian Ashton has already decided his starting line-up for the opening Rugby World Cup pool match against the USA in Lens on September 8 – but he will not tell the players until Tuesday.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has been forced to bring Jeremy Staunton into his squad for Saturday’s second Test against Argentina.

England 39 Barbarians 52

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan described his side’s hard-earned 55-6 win over the United States at Lansdowne Road as “a tough day at the office“.

PIETER Van ZYL, the spectator who attacked referee Dave McHugh during the Tri Nations match between South Africa and New Zealand last month, was found guilty of assault in a Durban magistrate’s court yesterday.

Liam Botham is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Jason Robinson by using his England A selection as the springboard to a full international call-up.