No masking brilliance at number eight

WHILE he may have the kind of French name Irish people may struggle to get their tongues around, there has never been any doubt as to Imanol Harinordoquy’s brilliance on the rugby pitch.

He proved the point yet again in spades in San Sebastian yesterday when in spite of wearing a grotesque-looking facial mask to protect a badly broken nose, he once again proved what a master he is of number eight forward play when inspiring Biarritz to a merited Heineken Cup semi-final victory over Munster. He seemed to be down injured all day but time and again he got up and carried on.

When he finally departed in the 65th, having inspired his side’scomeback, it was bruised ribs that forced t him ashore. It was littlewonder, then, that his coach, Jack Isaac lavished praise on Harinordoquy.