A proud figure

PAUL BURKE isn't an ordinary replacement for Ronan O'Gara and Neath/Swansea Ospreys should be fully aware that in today's Heineken Cup clash in Thomond Park.

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.