Rugby star crosses the line – but there’s no roar of approval this time

In slow motion, it looked like he was treating Cullen’s face like a bowling ball, looking for the holes where he would put his fingers. Even if it wasn’t deliberate – and we will never know what went through Quinlan’s mind in that split-second – it was still a dangerous thing to do.

IT’S difficult to imagine who must feel worse: Tomás O’Leary or Alan Quinlan? Two of Munster’s eight representatives on the forthcoming British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa won’t even be boarding the plane, the first because of serious injury, the second because of suspension.

The buzz that was created by the news of the big Irish selection has dissipated somewhat, no matter that Paul O’Connell remains captain.