Heroic Hayes leaves Sheridan reeling

IT was the day the Munster pack were to be torn apart in the scrums, when the scrummaging shortcomings of John Hayes would be mercilessly exposed.

Andrew Sheridan’s countless admirers were rubbing their hands in glee, anticipating vindication for their criticism of Hayes’ selection on the Lions Tour.

Imagine their dismay as Sheridan and his colleagues failed dismally to rise to the occasion, and Hayes, in his own quiet, effective manner, emerged as by far the more influential of the two.