With the likes of Johnny Sexton, Cian Healy and Tendai Mtawarira all reaching milestone international caps this weekend, we take a look at some of the top appearance makers in the European Cup. Ronan O’Gara – 110 A Munster Rugby legend, Ronan O’Gara spent 16 seasons at Thomond Park, helping the Irish province win two European Cups alongside three PRO12 titles. In that time, the fly-half smashed plenty of European Rugby records including most appearances in the European Cup (110) and most points scored (1,365). One of his most famous tries was back in 2006, as he dived over for a 77th minute score in a European Cup semi-final victory over Leinster Rugby. His class was highlighted yet again in 2011, as he slotted over added time drop goals in the final seconds of Munster’s European Cup Pool Stage victories over Northampton Saints and Castres Olympique in consecutive weekends. O’Gara also won 2010’s EPCR European Player of the Year, after his achievements during the first 15 years of the competition. After retiring in 2013, he joined 2018 Champions Cup finalists Racing 92 as defence coach but has since moved to Super Rugby side Crusaders, where he has recently signed a contract extension. Gordon D’Arcy – 104 Another one-club man, Gordon D’Arcy ensured a place in Leinster Rugby folklore after making 104 appearances for the Irish province in the European Cup. The centre won Europe’s elite club competition on three occasions (2009, 2011, 2012), and played every match in the successful 2012 campaign. With 27 tries to his name in European rugby, many consider his partnership with fellow centre Brian O’Driscoll as one of the greatest in European Cup history. https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1006272470196867074 John Hayes – 101 Prop John Hayes became the first Munster player to reach 100 appearances in European rugby, and is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest front-rows in Irish rugby history. Another one-club man as well as a two-time winner of Europe’s elite club competition, Hayes endeared himself to the Thomond Park faithful with his terrier-like defensive play, ferocious tackling and strength at the scrum. He featured in European Cup final defeats for Munster in 2000 against Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers in 2002 before picking up a winners medal in 2006 against Biarritz in Cardiff. Hayes retired in 2011 with over a century of appearances for his country as well as two British and Irish Lions’ caps. Peter Stringer – 101 Diminutive scrum-half Peter Stringer has made 101 appearances in the European Cup, with a further 11 in the Challenge Cup. The vast majority of those appearances came for Munster between 1999 and 2011, when he helped his side to a pair of European Cup victories in 2006 and 2008. Stringer’s most famous try came in the 2006 final for Munster, when he nipped up the Biarritz blind side and dived over for what turned out to be a crucial score as they went on to win 23-19 and lift the European Cup for the first time. After leaving Munster in 2013, Stringer played for a host of clubs including Newcastle Falcons, Bath Rugby and most recently Worcester Warriors. Donncha O’Callaghan – 97 Another Munster Rugby legend, lock Donncha O’Callaghan scored five tries in a European rugby career spanning 19 seasons, with 102 appearances across the European Cup and Challenge Cup. The 39-year-old started both of Munster’s two European Cup final victories in 2006 and 2008, and made 94 appearances for Ireland between 2003 and 2013. He was part of British and Irish Lions’ tours in 2005 and 2009 against New Zealand and South Africa, playing on four occasions. Like Stringer, O’Callaghan also featured in his latter years for Worcester Warriors, before hanging up his boots at the end of this season. He has recently been made a corporate ambassador for Munster Rugby.