Garda check points. It must be Christmas. It was this time of year not so long ago when a car carrying two rugby players through Stillorgan, Dublin was stopped by the local drink police. The two players were making their way back towards the house in St Helen's Wood which is owned by Blackrock RFC. "What's your name?" the garda asked the driver.

"Michael Jackson," replied the player.

"Taking the piss?" asked the garda.

"No," said the driver. "That's my name, Michael Jackson."

"And what's your name ?" asked the garda turning to the passenger.

"Sean Connery," he replied.

"Right, out you get," said the garda.

"No, it's true," said the player. "Come around to the house and we can prove it."

Off they went with the garda in tow to get their ID from the house before Blackrock centre Michael Jackson and American prop Sean Connery emerged smiling. Well, would you have believed them ?