Paul Burke contributed a record points haul in an English Cup final with 22, yet finished up on the losing side as Harlequins lost to a brace of late tries, 30-27 against the Newcastle Falcons. Burke scored a try, kicked a conversion and five penalties - David Wilson grabbed the other try - for a fine individual performance.

Harlequins and Ireland hooker Keith Wood suffered another disappointing day while full back Ryan O'Neill, a former under-21 international, was the third Irishman with a long face at the final whistle. Newcastle hooker Ross Nesdale managed a winners' medal but had already withdrawn from the Ireland squad for next weekend's A international against Wales.

Elsewhere it was interesting to note that Leicester gave Geordan Murphy the full-back's jersey for Saturday's game against Saracens with Tim Stimpson on the wing. How did the Irish international respond? Why with four tries of course. He has given manager Dean Richards something to think about for the rest of the season. In the same match Darragh O'Mahony scored a try for the hapless Saracens who were beaten 56-16.

Kevin Maggs lined out for Bath and helped them to a 50-16 trouncing of Gloucester at the Recreation ground. He linked up with the Irish senior squad in Dublin yesterday.