The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly previews Ronan O'Gara 100th Heineken Cup appearance for Munster against Scarlets.
"Munster's new coach Declan Kidney raised more than a few eyebrows in 1997 when he named his team to face Harlequins in London for the opening round of the Heineken Cup.
"Travelling to the Stoop was a daunting assignment by any standards, as Quins had a powerful side featuring world-renowned performers such as Will Carling, Keith Wood, Jason Leonard and Laurent Cabannes, but that did not stop Kidney giving a clutch of youngsters their European debuts.
"For Greg Tuohy, an athletic No 8 from Sunday's Well, it was to be his only taste of Heineken Cup action after a miffed Anthony Foley was restored to the back-row the following week against Cardiff.
"Tuohy's clubmates Conor Burke and John Lacey picked up a few more Heineken Cup caps each that season but were out of the frame by the time Munster made their breakthrough in 1999/2000.
"Other debutants, such as winger Anthony Horgan and flanker Alan Quinlan, would go on to experience long and productive Heineken Cup careers -- and then there was Ronan O'Gara."
RSS feed
