Edinburgh team to face Leinster

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in Edinburgh, Scottish Rugby

Rugby fans will be offered an early insight into the top table rivalries of European club rugby tomorrow (Friday 13 April, kick-off 7.54pm) when Edinburgh Rugby face fellow Heineken Cup semi-finalists, Leinster, at the RDS.

The capital clubs made the last four with home wins over Cardiff Blues and Toulouse in Dublin and Edinburgh respectively and now head into two rounds of RaboDirect PRO12 rugby, before returning to the penultimate round of Europe’s top tier cup competition.

Coincidentally the Dubliners follow tomorrow’s match with a trip to Belfast, where they will face Edinburgh’s European semi-final opponents, Ulster, while Edinburgh head for Cardiff, completing a mini-series of top-class European rugby, in which the clubs will seek to retain their winning momentum.

Edinburgh will look to do so in the back yard of a side 11-points clear at the top of the PRO12 and just one win away from securing a coveted home play-off spot.

Speaking at today’s team announcement press conference, head coach Michael Bradley, said: “We face a very tough task in Dublin this weekend against a side who comfortably made the semi-finals for the fourth successive season.

“As league leaders and European pace-setters they will be keen make big statements between now and the continuation of their European title defence.

“What pleases me is that we go into the match off the back of two wins over quality opposition, Scarlets and Toulouse, from which we can take a lot of confidence.

“As a team we must acknowledge the effort and commitment required on those days and prepare appropriately for another significant challenge this weekend at the RDS.”

Bradley has made just one personnel change to the squad that toppled Toulouse, but has sought to refresh the front-line with five changes to the first fifteen.

Scrum-half Chris Leck is the only change to the back division, continuing where he left off in the Toulouse game, having replaced the injured Mike Blair (shoulder) at the interval.

Kyle Traynor replaces the injured Allan Jacobsen (face) at loose-head prop, with Esteban Lozada reintroduced to the squad to start alongside Sean Cox in the second-row.

Finally, the club’s healthy back-row options are rotated as Stuart McInally and Roddy Grant swap places with David Denton and Ross Rennie respectively.

Edinburgh Rugby team to play Leinster at the RDS tomorrow in the RaboDirect PRO12 (Friday 13 April, kick-off 7.45pm)

15 Tom Brown

14 Lee Jones
13 Nick De Luca
12 Matt Scott
11 Tim Visser

10 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN
9 Chris Leck

1 Kyle Traynor
2 Ross Ford
3 Geoff Cross
4 Esteban Lozada
5 Sean Cox
6 Stuart McInally
7 Roddy Grant
8 Netani Talei

Substitutes
16 Andrew Kelly
17 Robin Hislop
18 Jack Gilding
19 Grant Gilchrist
20 David Denton
21 Ross Rennie
22 Phil Godman
23 Jim Thompson

Not available through injury: Mike Blair (shoulder), Ben Cairns (knee), Allan Jacobsen (face), James King (groin), Steven Lawrie (knee)

Leinster team to face Edinburgh

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in Edinburgh, Irish Rugby, Leinster, Scottish Rugby

The Leinster team to face Edinburgh in Friday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash in the RDS (KO: 7.45pm) has been named.

Jamie Heaslip captains the team and the Naas man is one of three survivors in the starting XV from last weekend’s Heineken Cup quarter final for the visit of the Scottish side. In all there are eight Ireland internationals in the line-up with Heaslip joined in the back-row by Shane Jennings and Rhys Ruddock.

Damian Browne makes his 20th appearance of the season and partners Devin Toner at lock, with Sean Cronin joining Heinke van der Merwe and Nathan White in the front row after the trio featured in the 34-3 victory over the Cardiff Blues last weekend.

Isaac Boss partners Ian Madigan (who is second in the PRO12’s try-scoring list this season with 7 in 17 games so far) at half back. The Blackrock College out-half is in line to make his 45th Leinster appearance with Fergus McFadden lining up in the midfield alongside Gordon D’Arcy.

Fionn Carr (making his 18th appearance of the season), right winger David Kearney and Isa Nacewa complete the line-up.

Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan and Richardt Strauss are named amongst a replacements bench which sees a blend of youth and experience including 22-year-old Lansdowne prop Martin Moore who could make his debut for the province whom he previously captained at Under-20 level.

Over 15,600 tickets have been sold for Friday’s game which will incorporate the specially themed ‘Leinster Rugby Spring Fling’ is also due to take place with: a bumper family day including a giant inflatable slide, bouncing castle, ropes course and climbing wall, a fairground including old style bumper cars, carnival games and a carousel, a treasure hunt around the RDS featuring Leo the Lion (starts at 6.45pm from the Leinster Rugby Store) and a display of acrobatic bike riders in the “pocket” area behind the South Stand.

Tickets are on sale now for €10 for juniors, €20 for adults and €50 for a family of four, online from www.leinsterrugby.ie, from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and a limited selection from the Leinster Rugby Store and Spar Donnybrook (excludes family tickets).

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: David Kearney
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Sean Cronin
3: Nathan White
4: Damian Browne
5: Devin Toner
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Richardt Strauss
17: Jack McGrath
18: Martin Moore
19: Kevin McLaughlin
20: Leo Auva’a
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Noel Reid
23: Brendan Macken

REFEREE: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) , ASSISTANT REFEREES: David Wilkinson, Simon McDowell (both IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Gary Glennon (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: Robbie O’Flynn (Leinster Rugby Referees), TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)

Leinster target third HEC title

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

Defending champions Leinster Rugby are hunting a third Heineken Cup title in four years – and bidding to become only the second club to claim back-to-back titles.

Ulster Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby and ASM Clermont Auvergne will contest the semi-finals later this month along with the reigning champions.

Edinburgh created tournament history last weekend by becoming the first club from Scotland to qualify for the prestigious last four while Clermont have also reached the semi-finals for the first time after three losing quarter-finals and will take on Leinster at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux on Sunday, 29 April. Ulster, the 1999 champions, will meet Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium a day earlier in the first semi-final.

“Facing Clermont away in France will be a tough challenge,” said Leinster prop Mike Ross. “They were without Thomas Domingo and Martin Scelzo in the quarter-final but they still have a formidable scrum and it will be like playing in a bear pit down there.

“It would be a massive coup to defend the Heineken Cup. Only one team has done that before and we know what a great team Leicester were 2000 to 2002. To match the feat of that Tigers team would be a great achievement and we couldn’t ask for any extra motivation.

“We are also still on course in the league and doing the double is something that hasn’t been done before so it’s all on the table for us and these are exciting times to be a Leinster player.”

The champions raced to a club record Heineken Cup quarter-final winning margin with their 34-3 runaway triumph over the Cardiff Blues after being 24 points ahead by the break.

“We had never won a quarter-final by more than seven points – and last year’s game against Leicester Tigers was probably the toughest game of the campaign – so it was unusual to be so far ahead at half-time of a Heineken Cup quarter-final,” said Ross.

“The conditions at the Aviva Stadium were almost perfect for rugby and just watching the backs scoring under the posts was brilliant, especially when we didn’t really have to hit any rucks for Brian O’Driscoll’s try.

“We won and we won well but there are still things we have to look at. We have a head coach who is a perfectionist. He keeps the hammer down on us to keep improving and it works.

“The game changed in the second half and it can be difficult to keep going mentally when you are so far ahead but we know that won’t happen in the semi-final and Clermont will pose a lot more challenges for us going forward.

“We have to be hard on ourselves and there are enough leaders in the team to keep things going.”

Shane Horgan announces his retirement

Posted on Mar 28, 2012 in Ireland, Irish Rugby, Leinster

Leinster Rugby have announced the immediate retirement of Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions legend Shane Horgan with a long-term knee injury.

Educated in St. Mary’s Diocesan School in Drogheda, Horgan represented his native Meath at Minor football level before joining Lansdowne FC upon leaving school.

Boyne right-winger Horgan, 33, won his first Leinster cap against Ulster in August 1998 and he went on to win a brace of Celtic League (2001/02 and 2007/08) and Heineken Cup (2008/09 and 2010/11) honours over the next 13 years.

He made 87 Heineken Cup appearances (scoring 27 tries) and was the first Leinster player to reach the double century cap mark. He made the last of his 207 Leinster appearances (in which he scored 71 tries and 1 drop goal) in the 2011 Grand Final in Thomond Park.

For Ireland, Shane won the first of his 65 caps against Scotland in February 2000 (where he went on to score 21 career tries) and he was selected for both the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups where he would in total make 8 appearances (scoring 2 tries). In all he was a part of three Triple Crown winning sides.

Commenting on the announcement, Shane Horgan said: "Every professional sportsman realises that at some point their career will come to an end. I have been extremely fortunate to have played regularly for my province and with Ireland since my debut with Leinster in 1998 and while I am disappointed that injury has forced me to retire now, I know I have been very lucky to have had such a long and largely injury-free career.

"The support and expertise of the medical and fitness teams in Leinster and Ireland through the years has been first class. Their help, especially through the course of this injury, has been incredible.

"It has been a tremendous honour to represent my province and my country.  When you first start playing sport that is the ultimate ambition but few people are lucky enough to realise it. I am just so grateful that I was given that opportunity. I am equally fortunate to have played at a time when Leinster and Ireland experienced such great success and alongside a group of players with unprecedented talent and ambition.

"I want to thank the IRFU and Leinster, my playing colleagues and friends in the game and the many people who helped to shape and influence my career at different points over the last 14 years. I would also like to thank Lansdowne FC and my home club of Boyne RFC for their continuous support since I started playing the game. My family has always been my principal guiding influence and support, so public acknowledgment today is but a small element of the appreciation I owe them.

"To perform at the top of any professional sport players need good coaches and Ireland has been well served during my time with the National squad.  At Leinster, to have played under Mike Ruddock, Matt Williams, Michael Cheika and, as it turned out for the last season of my career, Joe Schmidt, represents the kind of good fortune that only "lucky" players get.

"My final expression of thanks is to the supporters of both Ireland and Leinster with whom I have shared some special days that I will never forget."

Leinster Rugby Chief Executive Michael Dawson said: "It is a sad day whenever a player has to retire prematurely, but Shane can look back on his long career with great pride. He was an integral part of both the Leinster and Ireland teams for a sustained period of time and his selection for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand – where he earned three caps – was a high accolade which was richly deserved.

"For many supporters, Shane will be remembered for his outstanding feats on the international stage and it is somewhat fitting that his playing career finished on a high when he was invited by club captain Leo Cullen to join himself and Gordon D’Arcy on the winner’s podium to receive the Heineken Cup trophy in the Millennium Stadium last year. That gesture summed up the high esteem in which Shane was held and continues to be held by his peers.

"An outstanding ambassador for Meath, Leinster and Ireland  on behalf of everybody involved with Leinster Rugby I would like to thank him for his outstanding service to Leinster Rugby. It goes without saying that we wish Shane well with his future and I know that he will continue to make a positive impression in whatever field he decides to pursue."

Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt added: "As one of the longest serving players in the professional age, Shane will no doubt go down as one of the greats of Leinster and Irish rugby. He was a strong leader within the group whose contribution off the field mirrored his many feats on it.

"It was great to be involved with Shane last season where his performances contributed so much to the success of the team. It was fitting that his final season culminated in a second Heineken Cup success.

"The last year has been a frustrating one for Shane with knee surgery and long periods of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he has been unable to regain full fitness. It is a testament to Shane that his professionalism and influence have continued to impact positively on the group during this season.

"A born winner and resilient competitor, Shane’s retirement will no doubt leave a void in the group, but I know that his legacy of excellence and athleticism will continue to inspire future generations and we wish him all the best in the future."

Name: Shane Horgan

DOB: 18th July 1978

Birthplace: Bellewstown, Co. Meath

Height: 1.93 m (6′ 4")

Weight: 104 kg (16 st 5 lb)

Position: Centre / Wing

Club: Boyne RFC

School: St. Mary’s, Drogheda

 

Leinster Caps – Career: 207 (71 tries, 1 drop goal)

Leinster ‘A’ Caps: 2

 

Ireland Caps: 65 (21 tries)

British & Irish Lions Tourist: New Zealand (2005)

British & Irish Lions Caps: 3 (1 try)

Ireland ‘A’ Caps: 7

Ireland Under-21 Caps: 7 (1997/98 Triple Crown winner)

Ireland Youths Caps: 7

Leinster Youths Caps: 6

Leinster secure Brad Thorn on short term deal

Posted on Mar 7, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Leinster

Leinster Rugby have announced the arrival of New Zealand World Cup winning second row Brad Thorn on a three month contract.

Mosgiel born Thorn, 37, arrived in Dublin this week on temporary loan from Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues where he has been playing since helping the All Blacks win their second Rugby World Cup title in October 2011.

One of the most decorated and vastly experienced players in the game, Thorn played over 200 times for the Brisbane Broncos in two spells playing Rugby League (between 1994-2000 and 2005-07) where he won NRL Grand Final titles and also featured in the State of Origin series (in 1999, 2000 and later in 2005).

He became a dual rugby-code international – only the second man in history, after Bill Hardcastle, to have represented Australia in league and New Zealand in union – and in 2004 Thorn won the NPC title with Canterbury.

He was also in the All Blacks to claim three Tri-Nations titles (2003, 2008 and 2010), a Super 14 title with Canterbury Crusaders (2008) and has won 49 caps for the All Blacks (between 2003-11) culminating in last year’s World Cup triumph.

Commenting on the move, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s great to have Brad to help us through until the end of the season.

“After Leo’s (Cullen) injury and Steven Sykes’ return to South Africa we were short of options at second row, but Brad’s arrival will supplement the likes of Damian Browne, Devin Toner and Mark Flanagan, as we look ahead to a demanding few months.

“Obviously Brad won’t have a lot of time to find his feet, but I know the quality he brings and how keen he is to make a contribution both on and off the field.”