Kyle glad Ireland has new stars

Jack Kyle said he had "no regret whatsoever" after seeing Ireland at last match the achievement of the side he starred in 61 years ago by winning the Six Nations Grand Slam.

Kyle, widely regarded as Ireland's best player of all time, was the fly-half when the team won its only other Grand Slam back in 1948.

Now aged 83, he was in Cardiff on Saturday, together with his son Caleb, to witness at first hand Ireland's thrilling 17-15 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium which finally saw the men in green rewarded after several times just falling short of the Slam.

"Seeing the players jump for joy and parade around the pitch was a pleasure," said Kyle. "I'm so happy they have won and taken on the mantle, more so because they are a side worthy of the Grand Slam. "Many of them have been playing for a number of years, becoming a Triple Crown side without claiming the final prize.

"Some of them will be retiring in a number of years, and to do so as Grand Slam winners will give them enormous satisfaction."

The pride will be there to last too.

"When they're old and grey they'll get together much like we have done and will be invited to functions as Grand Slam winners," Kyle added. "We had that pleasure for a long time, and there is no regret whatsoever that they've joined us.

"After such a long time without the Grand Slam, we're all feeling proud that Irish rugby has achieved this.

DUBLIN, Tuesday AFP