Donal Lenihan: Dogfights in Pontypool Park and the way they might look at you

As Munster captain on the night, he called me forward with the famous Pontypool tie in hand and declared “from one old c*** to another old c***” as he presented me with my piece of memorabilia.

WILD EXPERIENCE: Pontypool’s David Bishop kicks the ball to touch during a match against Australia in 1984. Playing against Pontypool in front of a full house at Pontypool Park was always testing, recalls our columnist. Inset: The great Graham Price. Pic: Allsport UK

HOW times have changed. It was deemed a badge of honour to be invited to play for the Barbarians on their Easter tour of Wales. An annual event well established in the rugby calendar, the itinerary was set in stone with a gentle opener against Penarth on the Friday night.

That was followed by what was deemed the Test game against Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday and a searching examination against Swansea at St Helens on Easter Monday.