MAEVE FOLLOWS FATHER IN LEADING THE PACK A big night tonight for Maeve O'Donovan, the 16-year-old daughter of Irish forwards coach Niall, who hopes to progress to the final three of RTE's You're a Star. Maeve has long been the only female in a competition full of males but the most interesting part for us has been watching the restrained reactions of her father in the audience. A couple of weeks back one of the judges, Thomas Black, stated Maeve's performances were like that of the Irish rugby team - "she starts slow but gets better as she goes along" - moments after Brendan O'Connor had a real cut off Ms O'Donovan for her interpretation of an Elton John song. Now we have to admit that had O'Connor, who's become a caricature of a caricature of a caricature at this stage, criticised any relation of ours like that we wouldn't be too long in confronting him but Niall managed to remain calm and all credit to him. Anyways, if you're going to cast a vote, cast it for Maeve, not just because of her rugby connections, but because she's actually a talented performer, unlike many others on the show.

WESTWARD EXPANSION AT LAST GATHERS PACE Things appear to be coming together a little for Connacht. Following the loss of Ray Hogan and Paul Warwick to Bristol and Munster respectively next season, there was a feeling the core of the side could fall apart but things are looking up. Johnny O'Connor, Gavin Duffy and Mel Deane confirmed this week they would be rejoining the province after spells in London, while word is Northampton second row Damien Browne could also be on his way back at the end of the season. Meanwhile, London Irish have made themselves that bit more Irish with the signing of Jeremy Staunton from Wasps on a two-year contract.

GREAT MOMENTS IN IRISH RUGBY NUMBER 24 - Ireland win their first (and only) Grand Slam It's still the year all subsequent Irish sides have failed to emulate. Karl Mullen's side of 1948 took advantage of the general disorganisation of the other four nations after the war to etch their names in the record books.

Their first victory, against France on New Year's Day, oddly enough, set things in motion, although they did have to wait almost six weeks for their second, an 11-10 win away to England. A 6-0 victory against Scotland at Lansdowne Road duly wrapped up the Championship for a side that boasted the talents of Jackie Kyle, Des McKee, Barney Mullan and Des O'Brien, teeing up a Grand Slam and Triple Crown game against Wales at Ravenhill. In front of 30,000, an attendance that could have been doubled, tries from Barney Mullan and JC Daly edged Ireland home 6-3.

And despite the strenuous efforts of numerous sides since, the men of '48 are still dining out on that success.

THE LAW LIBRARY An interesting if little-known law was brought to our attention by a reader during the week. It concerns temporary suspensions and what happens to a player whose 10 minutes in the sin bin coincides with half time. We always assumed a binned player was able to join his team-mates in the dressing room at half-time but it would appear that's not the case. The law concerning the sin bin states: "Temporary Suspension Area (SIN BIN) area will also be situated with No 4 / No 5 (of"cial) in seating alongside the touchline. The No 4 / No 5 will be responsible for keeping the Ten (10) minutes playing time related to occupation of SIN BIN and inform referee when player is eligible to return to field. If a player is sent to the SIN BIN in the 10 minutes prior to half time, then the player should remain with the No 4 / No 5 during the half time interval (the player is not allowed into the Dressing Rooms)." It would appear a binned player can't even go to the toilet in peace with this law.

RUGBY BY NUMBERS - 211 The number of tackles made by the Bulls in their 19-7 away victory over the Brumbies in the Super 14 last weekend. The average number of tackles made by a team in any one game in the competition is around the 100 mark.

RUGBY POSER Who became Scotland's most capped player of all time yesterday?

MOUTHING OFF. . .

I told him I wished he was staying. Rob is unfulfilled potential. I don't think he's played 20 games of professional rugby and he's had four injuries and four operations in the last two years Scottish coach Frank Hadden expresses his disappointment at Rob Dewey's move to Ulster next season For us, this England side is as clear as fog French team manager Jo Maso (right ) reveals how much he knows about guys like Tim Payne and Nick Easter