A Day Of Firsts

On Saturday John Hayes became the first player to win 100 Heineken Cup caps when he came on as a replacement for BJ Botha in Munster’s epic win over Northampton Saints.

And to put the Bruff man's achievement into context consider that Toulouse's (4 times winners) highest capped is Fabien Pelous (retired) with 76, Leicester Tigers (twice winners) is Martin Corry (retired) on 69 while Leinster's is Shane Horgan with 87.

Hayes received his 100th cap after the game from ERC Chief Executive Derek McGrath while Ronan O'Gara, who had just made his 98th Heineken Cup appearance, looked on.

It was also a first for Peter O'Mahony who claimed the Man of the Match award in his debut game in the competition and it was probably the first time a side put 41 phases together as Munster did at the death to set up O'Gara for the winning drop goal.  It was also a Heineken Cup first for starting backs Conor Murray and Danny Barnes, with Will Chambers making his first appearance in the competition coming off the bench in the 67th minute. 

And in the first weekend of Heineken Cup action Thomond Park recorded the highest attendance with 25,543 supporters at the Limerick venue.