By Jim Stokes BBC Sport

Humphreys has scored 560 points for Ireland

Dr David Humphreys, MBE, has set a benchmark in Irish rugby. Unfortunately that current mark on the bench could decide whether the Ulsterman will to step down after the present RBS Six Nations Championshp.

If he does, it will be a massive loss to Ireland. Some may see it as an embarrassment of riches to have a player of Humphreys's rich talents sitting on the bench, but Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has set out his stall for the 2007 World Cup.

The 34-year-old Ulsterman's decision on whether to quit the Test scene that he adorned so graciously, will come after months of personal angst.

But with a young family growing up and a professional career as a solicitor waiting to be kick-started, no-one will be surprised if come the end of March, the only rugby Humphreys will play next season will be with Ulster.

He still has a twinkle in his eye when he takes the field, and as quick-footed as ever with a tactical brain to match.

Walking away from the Test bench will not detract from the fact that he is a wonderfully-gifted footballer.

It would leave a giant void in the Ireland's half-back combinations with no replacement appearing on the horizon at the present time.

Covering for O'Gara until the end of the next World Cup is not the most attractive or fulfilling ventures that Humphreys would endure in his sporting life.

Humphreys has passed many landmarks in his time while playing either for Ireland, Ulster or indeed Oxford, or the Barbarians and has given supporters many memories to savour.

The talented all-round sportsman, he is a single-handicapper at golf, first appeared on the scene as a 18-year-old when he led the Ireland Schools' side to the Triple Crown back in 1992 when he was at Ballymena Academy.

HUMPHREYS FACTFILE Born: 10/09/71 Clubs: Ireland, Ulster, London Irish, Oxford Ballymena, Dungannon Caps: Ireland (72), Ulster (129) Statistics:Ireland 560 points; Heineken Cup 502; Celtic League 522

He broke into the Ulster senior squad a year later helping them to victory over Cumbria at Cockermouth.

He stood in for the then Ireland fly-half Derek McAleese who received a broken jaw when a stray fist of a fellow player broke his jaw - and that was only at dinner!

Humphreys was a law student at Queen's University at the time. When he graduated, he moved to Oxford and racked up another of his many personal triumphs in 1995.

Although beaten by Cambridge 21-19 by a disputed penalty try in the annual Varsity match at Twickenham, Humphreys went through the card in scoring all his side's points with a try, conversion, three penalties and a dropped goal.

Humphreys duly qualified as a solicitor and came under the tutelage of a Belfast practice whose senior partner happens to be CMH Gibson, one of Ireland's, and indeed the world's, greatest-ever players.

With his professional business life on the back-burner, Humphreys converted from the amateur game to the professional ranks with ease and grew in stature while with London Irish whose coaches included Willie Anderson and then a certain Clive Woodward.

Humphreys made his Ireland debut against France in 1996, and over the next nine years has so far ccumulated 72 caps and collected 560 points.

The problem was he had to keep pinching back the number 10 jersey off Paul Burke, Eric Elwood and the present incumbent O'Gara.

There were always two camps of opinion about Humphreys's international career. However, many believed he was never given the full reigns for long enough to prove his worth.

David Humphreys milks the applause after Euro Cup win

He did in March 2000 when he landed a 45-metre penalty to give Ireland their first victory on French soil for 28 years. Unfortunately his glory was stolen by another useful up-and-coming player called Brian O'Driscoll who scored a hat-trick of tries.

But the greatest time in his career will undoubtedly be Ulster's European Cup triumph through the 1998/99 season. He took over the captaincy when the present coach Mark McCall was forced to retire with a neck injury - and the rest is history.

But etched in the memory is his wonderful try in the semi-final against Stade Francais at Ravenhill. Taking the ball inside his own '22' Humphreys stabbed a little kick over the French defence for winger Sheldon Coulter to take.

He took a return pass 70 metres out and his pace took him clear to the line. Wonderful stuff.

The 21-6 win in the final against Colomiers was noted not for the match which was a non-event but by the scenes of joy as Northern Ireland and beyond invaded Lansdowne Road to witness Humphreys holding aloft the cup.

Humphreys continued to make his mark in Europe on a wet October night in 2001 when scored 37 points in Ulster's 42-19 win over Wasps. His contribution, and his four drop goals that night, are still European Cup records.

In the 2003 New Year's Honours, he was appointed an MBE for his services to sport. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ulster the same year, again for services rendered to the game.

A most brilliant entertainer, an icon, and an inspiration for young players. Let's hope there is more to come.

But no matter, the Star of David will always live long in the memory.