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Bok 'slayer' returns to CT

Cape Town - Eric Miller, a member of the all-conquering 1997 Lions squad, will return to the scene of his greatest triumph; only this time in a far more social environment at the 2010 Castle Cape Town Tens.

Having been part of the British & Irish Lions squad that beat the Springboks on their own soil in 1997 (playing in one Test), loose forward Miller is looking forward to returning to Cape Town - albeit in the colours of the Canterbury-sponsored International Legends.

"I was fortunate enough to be in South Africa with the Lions Legends during last year's Lions tour," Miller told capetowntens.com.

"We played matches in Durban and Johannesburg, but didn't get to Cape Town unfortunately, so I'm very happy to be coming back - especially as I've not been back to play here since 1997.

"Cape Town is one of my favourite places and I'm looking forward to playing some Tens," he added. "I've not played any Tens rugby before, but this weekend has given me a goal to train towards and I'm looking forward to having some fun - both on and off the field at the Cape Town Tens."

Miller, 34, will join Wallabies stars Tim Horan, Pat Howard, Damian Smith and Jeremy Paul in the International Legends line-up and he will also have the opportunity of linking up with former Leicester Tigers teammate Leon Lloyd at Hamilton's; Lloyd having also featured in last year's Legends team.

He continued: "I actually played with Pat Howard and Leon at Leicester, so I'm looking forward to catching up with them and also to meet some new people and forge new friendships - after all, that's half the reason we take part in events like these!

"It will also be great to see Dion O'Cuinneagain - we're good mates from his time in Ireland," added Miller. "I came out to his wedding in South Africa a few years ago, plus we caught up on the Lions tour last year when he came to Johannesburg for the last Test.

"I've actually met Bobby and Robbie through Dion, so I was very disappointed when I couldn't make it out last year for the Tens, but my employers have been very generous in allowing me some time off now and I just cannot wait to get to Cape Town to play in the Tens and, also, to get some sunshine - it's been a cold winter here in Dublin!"

Miller, having won 48 caps for Ireland between 1997 and 2005, retired from first-class rugby at the start of 2006. After a spell playing Gaelic Football, he began his own golf training and fitness operation called The Real Golf Solution, but has since also found himself involved with rugby coaching - at schools and club level.

"Shane Lowry, the 2009 Irish Open champion, is a client of ours - so one could say that it works well," chuckled Miller.

"It's quite a unique business; people don't really know much about the fitness side of golf. Older people can actually do damage if they don't train correctly, whilst we can help younger players get more distance and control."

And the rugby coaching?

"I made a point of taking a proper 'time-out' from rugby when I retired, but now I'm involved again with coaching and I'm really loving it," said Miller. "I'd like to make it (in coaching), but time will tell I guess."

His coaching aspirations aside, Miller is all about the Cape Town Tens at present and he is fully aware of his 'responsibilities' as part of the 2010 International Legends.

"I've had a look at the Cape Town Stadium online and it's going to be great to get a run out there - as long as we get some shade from the sun, we've had a lot of snow this winter!

"Of course, it would be amiss of me not to mention the social side of things - let's just say I'm planning on working hard on both aspects of my 'game' at the Cape Town Tens."

Tickets for the 2010 Castle Cape Town Tens can be bought online on Computicket to secure your place at Cape Town's biggest rugby party!
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