Ian Keatley was the hero for Connacht on this day in 2008 © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Dick Auty | Ian Keatley | Ben Tune

Teams: Australia | Connacht | England | Ireland | Munster | New Zealand | Wales

2008
Connacht blew the Magners League title race wide open as a gutsy performance proved too much for reigning Heineken Cup champions Munster. The Galway side won 12-6 thanks to four penalties from Man of the Match Ian Keatley, their first win over their provincial rivals since 1986 and their first home win since 1979. The result followed another big scalp for Michael Bradley's men, who had accounted for Leinster a month earlier.

1976
Former Australia winger Ben Tune was born. Tune's career was filled with stunning highlights but injury has never been far behind. Despite chronic knee problems, Tune played 46 Tests for Australia between his debut against Wales in 1996 and his final appearance for the Wallabies against Argentina in 2002. Tune was a key member of the side that claimed the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales, scoring a try in the final against France.

1910
Leicester beat the Barbarians for the first time in their annual Christmas encounters.

1926
The Maori avenged their 1888 defeat by beating Cardiff 5-3 at the Arms Park. Pat Potaka's conversion from near the posts was the difference between the sides.

1936
The Barbarians, fielding a XV of current or future international players, overwhelmed Leicester 20-5 at Welford Road in the annual Christmas-tide match.

1937
The Barbarians were spearheaded by the Headingley half-backs Bernard Gadney and Dick Auty in a 34-0 win against their former club, Leicester. Auty's elusive sidesteps left his opponent Jack Taylor (later a noted international referee) clutching at thin air.

1960
Warwickshire, the reigning county champions, supplied 11 of the Midland Counties XV that lost 16-5 to the Springboks at St Andrew's, Birmingham City FC's ground.

1964
Edinburgh Academicals had to cancel their match with London Scottish owing to a frozen pitch. The teams put on an impromptu soccer match to entertain the holiday crowd that had turned out.