A proud figure
O'Gara has rattled up scoring records in Europe in recent seasons, but Burke's scoring exploits in top class rugby are equally impressive. Statisticians put his points haul at all levels of the game in excess of 2,500 but the absence or uncertainty of official records, might increase that total.
In 13 internationals for Ireland, Burke has scored 108 points, and he was one of the all-time high scorers in the Zurich Premiership with 860 points for Bristol and Harlequins. Add on a further 282 points in the Parker Pen tournament and 92 points for Munster this season in the Celtic League.
That brings the tally to 1,342 points but doesn't take stock of at least 900 more points in the past with Cork Constitution, Munster, London Irish and Cardiff, nor the unconfirmed 400 or so points in other competitive fixtures. Burke stopped counting a long time ago.
Earlier this week, he took centre stage at a press conference in Limerick, wedged between coach Alan Gaffney and captain Anthony Foley, comfortable with the full backing of the team and management to take over from O'Gara.
The 31-year-old also appeared confident in his own ability to do the job, pointing to his current form: "I'm happy to come into the team at this time as I feel I've been playing well this season. I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident. The mood within the camp is magnificent, and regardless of who is playing everyone backs each other. It's a very positive atmosphere to be involved in.
"We're a team striving to be the best and people can come in and out of the team with not much effort."
Burke's Munster career will involve a showdown with his old club Harlequins next week, but there'll be no regrets.
"It's the same as having to come back to Limerick and play with Harlequins a few years ago. It's all in the life of a professional player."
Even if he has happy memories of his time in the Stoop, his heart is unquestionably with Munster. Though born in England, he is of Irish parentage and his wife is from Limerick.
"I still had an option to stay with Harlequins for another year, but I felt I needed a different challenge after four years at the Stoop.
"When the opportunity arose to come back to Munster I didn't hesitate. I knew the scene exactly, the passion and the atmosphere, and of course it went without saying the kind of talent that was in the squad. I wanted to be part of that again and the decision was easy."
Part of the reason was Burke's desire to put himself back in the shop window for further representative honours.
"I know I'm 31, but age doesn't necessarily rule me out of potentially winning more caps for Ireland. You never know what might happen. I mean, I didn't expect to be in the Munster team this weekend but Ronan was unfortunately injured. I will just have to grab my chance. There's an A international coming up in March, so you never know but that there might be an opportunity for me.
"I'm very aware that the Heineken Cup games are more important than the Celtic League and they give guys a bigger stage to play on. But I'm also conscious that these next couple of games, when Ronan won't be available, are about more than me. They're solely about the team and Munster's ambition to get through to the knock-out stages again.
"The personal issues won't affect me. I've been around long enough to know that you've got to look after your own performance for the good of the team only. I'm just preparing myself to implement the game plan on behalf of the team and kick the goals. Hopefully, the result will take care of itself and if honours come on top of that, there's a bonus." Another personal ambition is to be part of a Heineken Cup-winning side. Munster have gone desperately close but lost two finals to Northampton and Leicester. Add in losses in a couple of semi-finals and it appears they're the best team destined never to win the trophy.
Not if Burke has his way. "I've never seen such determination within any one group of players. What happened before is in the past, and the guys who suffered don't speak much about it. From the beginning of this season everything was geared to this season. That's the way it should be and they are a remarkable bunch of people to be able to bury those past disappointments."
Ironically, Burke is the only European winner in the group, with two European Challenge Cup medals won with Harlequins in his trophy cabinet. "We beat Narbonne in 2001 but had to sweat it out through extra time. Last year we won again by beating Montferrand, but we got through by a mere point. That would make you think about how lucky I am and how unlucky Munster must feel they were. That's a good solid reason why I want to ensure I help the team take a step in the right direction against Ospreys."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
