SHANE BYRNE JOINS COSTELLO IN ERC ELITE AWARD '50' CLUB

The 33-year-old hooker is one of three survivors from Leinster's first game in the Heineken Cup, against Milan at Stadio Comunale Giuriati on Wednesday, I November, 1995, when the Irish side triumphed 24-21. Joining him in the pack that day were Malcolm O'Kelly and Costello.

Byrne played in all three of Leinster's European fixtures in that inaugural season of the Heineken Cup, when they reached the semi-final before losing at Lansdowne Road to Cardiff. Since then, he has missed only four of Leinster's 54 Heineken Cup games.

As the Heineken Cup celebrates its 10th anniversary this season, ERC the tournament organisers introduced the ERC Elite Awards scheme. This is to recognise and reward the glittering list of elite players and teams who have made outstanding contributions to the northern hemisphere's leading club rugby tournament.

ERC Elite Awards have so far been presented to seven teams for playing 50 games in the tournament - Toulouse 65, Munster 63, Llanelli Scarlets 57, Leicester Tigers 54, Leinster, 54, Ulster 53, Cardiff Blues 52.

Four players have been presented with a glass crystal boot to commemorate their achievement in reaching 500 points in the Heineken Cup - Diego Dominguez, Ronan O'Gara, Stephen Jones and Neil Jenkins - and eight players have so far qualified for Heineken Cup caps - Anthony Foley (Munster) 62, Chris Wyatt (Llanelli Scarlets) 54, Robin McBryde (Llanelli Scarlets) 53, Victor Costello (Leinster) 52, Fabien Pelous (Toulouse) 52, John Kelly (Munster) 51, Christian Labit (Toulouse) 50, Shane Byrne (Leinster) 50.

Ireland and Munster wing John Kelly is due to be presented with his cap next week, while France and Toulouse back row man Christian Labit will also receive his award ahead of his side's Round 4 home clash with Northampton Saints.

This weekend will see England and Leicester Tigers prop Graham Rowntree play his 50th game in the 'Battle of England' at The Causeway Stadium, High Wycombe, when the double champions take on the Heineken Cup holders London Wasps. Ireland and Munster prop John Hayes will also qualify for his Heineken Cup cap in Castres when he becomes the third Munster player to reach his half-century.

ERC ELITE AWARDS