Graham double is Newcastle's delight

George Graham inflicted further damage on the Irish yesterday, rushing south from Edinburgh to finish a demanding weekend shift with a notable double.

Newcastle prop Graham, at 35 the oldest international in the Premiership, had no sooner finished helping Scotland puncture one unbeaten Irish team than he was helping his club do the same to another. From Murrayfield to the Madejski, it was all strictly in the line of duty.

Graham followed his 22-minute appearance at Murrayfield by appearing for the last half-hour against London Irish ? steadying the scrum during the critical period when Jonny Wilkinson marked his debut as captain with the late penalties which put paid to the Premiership?s last unbeaten record.

Instead of celebrating his 17th cap in the timehonoured fashion, the former soldier dashed to the airport for the last flight to Heathrow, grabbed a little light refreshment and retired for an early night ? the very model of the modern prop forward. Pat Lam, officially described as Scotland?s motivational coach, made the same journey to rejoin his club before accompanying his Scottish colleague on to the pitch.

Just when the Exiles threatened to sneak home on the strength of six more goals from Barry Everitt, so Wilkinson settled a flawless exhibition of goalkicking between the respective fly halves. The longest of his six goals soared over from 56 yards to edge Newcastle in front at 19-18. He added another to punish a deliberate knock-on and for once the Irish were beyond even Everitt?s salvation.

So, instead of closing to within two points of Leicester alongside Sale, Brendan Venter?s unlikely contenders slipped back to fourth. They can expect to slip further unless their Springbok player-coach adds a width to his attack which was sadly lacking as Newcastle?s young guns stood firm. Alongside them were a few old ones like the redoubtable Doddie Weir and Richard Arnold.

?This is a tough League and you have to be able to tough it out,? said Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew.?We defended with huge desire and put our bodies on the line which we didn?t do the other week at Sale. I?m thrilled.?