RRP €4.50 (inc VAT)/£3.20 ’s Leading Rugby Magazine February 2014 - Vol 11 issue 1 EPIC FROM THE FIRST TOUCH

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156691 UPC Press Emerald Rugby FP Jan 14.indd 1 24/01/2014 14:26 CONTENTS www.emeraldrugby.com FEBRUARY 2014

IRELAND Squad Profiles: 2014 24 Ireland 6N Squad We profile the players who will lead Ireland’s assault on the 2014 RBS Six Nations 2 General News 30 XV to The latest news from around the game watch in 56 Club & School Notes 2014 The latest news from clubs & Schools 10 6 Nations - Some will be Opportunity for all more familiar Alan Solomons looks at the opportunities names than 60 Provincial News that present themselves as we head into others but we The latest news from the Irish Province’ the Six Nations. put together the plus Irish. top XV players to watch in 2014 14 Saint André - Feeling the heat 34 The Butterfly effect Bernard Jackman takes a closer look at Aidan McCullen looks at this well known the French offering as we kick off the phenomena and how it applies to Rugby. 2014 Six Nations. 48 Strength & 16 Backrow or Lock 36 Are staring Conditioning Get your S&C training right for playing into the abyss? Rugby and avoiding injury Sean Holley looks at the mass exodus of top talent out of Wales. In light of the Regions and WRU public spat, where do Wales go from here. 50 Club Focus This month we focus on Thomond RFC as they make progress with Youth & Senior 40 Heineken Cup developments. With Ulster and Ireland’s Iain Henderson Pool review there is no doubting his considerable As Leinster, Munster and Ulster secure 52 Womens Rugby Six Nations squad update plus the latest stock. We speak to the man. their place in the Knockout stages, we reviews from the womens game look back at the Irish teams performance 20 Briggs - On top of in the Pool stages of the 2013/14 Heineken Cup. 55 Rugby Business Eye the world This month we look at the Agents End We catch up with the Womens world Game. player of the year, Ireland’s Niamh Briggs. 45 Ulster Bank League John Dickson brings us right up to speed with developments in the Ulster Bank League after the mid-way point. 68 The Rucker Rantings and ravings from Ireland’s biggest supporter

Competitions are open to all readers (over 18’s where stated) except employees and their families from Extreme Publications, Emerald Rugby printers, and companies associated with the competition. Only one entry per household is permitted. No purchase necessary. All prizes must be accepted as offered, there will be no cash alternative or ex- change. In the unlikely event of a match being cancelled or a prize being unavailable Emerald Rugby reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed in the post. No correspondence will be entered into and no entry will be returned. The editors decision is final.

FEBRUARY 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 1 EDITORIAL: GENERAL NEWS

Editors Note CORRESPONDENCE 32 The Slopes, Craigavon, , N.Ireland BT63 5NT A belated happy new year; and what a good year it’s been thus Tel (ROI) 048 3834 4333 far. Three out of four Irish provinces qualify for the knockout Tel +44 (0)28 3834 4333 stages of the Heineken Cup and Connacht put in the perfor- Twitter: @Emeraldrugby mance of the season by beating Toulouse in France. All this Facebook: facebook.com/emeraldrugby off the back of an impressive Guinness November series put’s EDITORIAL Ireland in a very favourable position going into the RBS Six Editor: Manus Lappin Nations. Email: [email protected] The Wolfhounds comfortably dispatched the Saxons in their Tweets: twitter.com/Emeraldrugby opening game of the campaign, meanwhile the IRFU have announced that Canterbury will be the new kit sponsor until 2020. With all of our top players committing to play ADVERTISING their rugby in Ireland, it’s a great time to be an Irish rugby supporter. Sales and Marketing Director: Emma Lappin Tel (ROI) 048 3834 4333 Tel (NI) 028 3834 4333 This is in stark contrast to what is happening in Wales as the Welsh and Email: [email protected] Regional Rugby Wales try and sort out their differences. All the while their top players Advertising Sales: Frank Quinn abandon ship. Advertising Sales: Aine Lavery Advertising Design: Cormac Doyle Two notable exceptions to that rule are Alun who has decided to turn down overseas offers and stick with the , and Wales skipper who has DESIGN & LAYOUT become the first Welsh player to take up a central contract with the WRU in the hope Creative Director: Malachy McDaid that he can remain playing his rugby with . GrafXpress Email: [email protected] Bizarrely Warburtons decision was met with hostility from some sections of the Welsh SUBSCRIPTIONS rugby public who accused the flanker of siding with the WRU in the Club versus Coun- Subscribe online at www.emeraldrugby.com try battle. In reality Warburton was trying to secure his future while remaining in Wales Email: [email protected] to play his rugby. How anyone can abuse him for that is beyond me.

CONTRIBUTORS One would imagine, as is the case in Ireland, it’s in the best interest of Welsh Rugby to Alan Solomons Conor Kelly have the best players playing in Wales where supporters can see them in action on a Frank Quinn Trevor Johnston Aidan McCullen Adam Redmond regular basis. If the WRU want to pick up the salary bill of key players, I fail to see how Eric Millar Dermot Keyes that is anything other than a huge positive for the club who will essentially get free John Dickson Bernard Jackman use of a fantastic player. The most sickening part of this very public spat between the Union and the Regions is, players are being treated like pawns and perhaps that is why so many of them have voted with their feet. SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jim Stitt Matt Geraghty Bums on seats are the solid currency of any professional sports team. The crux of RRW Pauline McFeran Ken Redpath problem is, the Regions have failed to engage sufficient numbers of rugby supporters Conor Keown Cliff Barr Cliona Quaide Andrew Hogan in their local communities. Attendance figures at Regional games makes grim reading especially when compared with attendance on this side of the Irish sea. Some would have you believe it’s the RaboDirect PRO12 that is the problem. But that argument just PHOTOGRAPHY doesn’t stack up, it’s the same product in Ireland as it is in Wales yet over here, where Sportsfile (www.sportsfile.com) the provinces have done a fantastic job engaging the local community and growing Dickson Digital the supporter base, the RaboDirect PRO12 is booming. The sooner RRW look inward, Jim Stitt the sooner they will be in a position to resolve their issues.

DISTRIBUTION Newspread, WNS, Direct Distribution. As the schools senior cup competitions get into full swing we sit down with a young man who was on the losing end of a schools cup final. In 2010 Iain Henderson lost the PUBLISHER Ulster schools cup final while playing with Belfast Royal Academy but it hasn’t done Extreme Publications Ltd. his career any harm. Sometimes our top schools players can get caught up in the hype surrounding ‘the final’. A schools cup final doesn’t need to be the biggest game of their

All rights reserved. No part of this publication career, Iain is a shining example of that. may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any shape or form or by any means Yours in Rugby, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without the written permission of the publishers, Extreme Publications Ltd. Whilst every care is taken of submitted MSS, photographs, drawings and content, no responsibility can be accepted for their loss or damage. Manus Extreme Publications Ltd do not accept responsibility for Email: [email protected] the quality or content of advertisements supplied by, or Twitter: @Emeraldrugby compiled under instruction from a third party. Facebook: facebook.com/Emeraldrugby

Copyright Extreme Publications Ltd

2 EMERALD RUGBY FEBRUARY 2014 GENERAL NEWS

2014 Guinness Series Fixtures Confirmed

Ireland will take on , Australia and a leading European Tier 2 nation at the during the Guinness Series in November 2014. South Africa, number 2 in the IRB world rankings, provided the opposition for the opening fixture of the 2012 Guinness Series and will again be Ireland’s first opponents in the autumn of 2014 as the two sides square off at the Aviva Stadium Pick your best XV! th on Saturday 8 November. Ireland will be looking to record their fifth victory over ‘Check in’ at your local pub feeling of lining up in front of the Ireland v Wales game, the Springboks since the two countries with GUINNESS Plus for a your own fans for the opening will be in with a chance first met at the Balmoral Showgrounds in chance to win the Guinness game, so I can’t wait for the to win a VIP weekend at 1906. Box at the Aviva Stadium action to get underway on Twickenham for the most A week later on Saturday 15th November, for you and 15 mates to see Sunday against .” anticipated match of the Ireland will take on a leading European Tier Ireland take on Wales. RBS Six Nations, Ireland v 2 nation at the Aviva Stadium. Georgia, announces “As always, we know our England, including; match who have serious RWC15 qualification Extraordinary ‘Money Can’t supporters will be getting tickets, flights, overnight ambitions, are the most likely opposition Buy Experiences’ for Guinness behind us both at home accommodation, and for this Test. Rugby Fans to celebrate the and away. The experiences special ‘Meet and Greet’ Ewen McKenzie’s Australia will return RBS 6 Nations. available on the Guinness Plus for themselves and three to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 22nd App, will bring them even friends. November. Australia are the third GUINNESS®, A Proud Partner closer to the action, with the ranked nation in following a of Irish Rugby & the RBS 6 chance to ‘PICK YOUR BEST Three more extraordinary successful autumn tour which saw them Nations, and Irish International FIFTEEN’ mates to bring along rewards for the RBS Six record wins over Ireland, Wales, Scotland rugby player, Luke Fitzgerald, to the GUINNESS Private Nations Championship and Italy while losing narrowly to England. have teamed up to announce Box for the Wales game. matches against England, Rory Sheridan, Head of Sponsorship, the first two extraordinary There’s also a VIP experience Italy and France will Diageo, Western Europe, commented, rugby experiences for fans on for you and three mates at be announced in the “Guinness is delighted to continue its the Guinness Plus mobile App. Twickenham to be won, with coming weeks. Guinness strong and long standing support of The experiences are linked to three more experiences still to will also have ticket Irish Rugby and we look forward to the upcoming Championship be announced!” competitions to all five three exciting Guinness Series games in matches against Scotland and of the RBS Six Nations November 2014.” Wales. Rugby fans who‘check- Rugby fans who ‘check in’ to matches throughout the The three games are scheduled to take in’ to the pub with the the pub using the Guinness Championship. Check out place on consecutive Saturdays and kick- Guinness Plus App on match Plus App before 11.00pm on the Guinness Plus App for off times for each match will be confirmed days will be in with the chance match day 2nd February for more information. at a later date. to win ‘Money Can’t Buy’ the Ireland v Scotland game, experiences for them and their will be in with a chance to win The Guinness Plus App friends. exclusive use of the Guinness is available to download 2014 Guinness Series Private Box for themselves for iPhone and Android Fixtures: Fitzgerald commented, “The and fifteen of their mates at Smartphones from the RBS Six Nations is a very special the Wales match the following iTunes App Store and Saturday 8th November, 2014 tournament that rouses the week on February 8th. Google Play Store now. IRELAND v South Africa Aviva Stadium pride and passion of the nation Rugby fans who ‘check in’ to Saturday 15th November, 2014 – as a player, it’s a competition the pub using the Guinness IRELAND v Tier 2 Nation (Georgia TBC) that you want to be involved in Plus App before 11.00pm on Aviva Stadium every year. Nothing beats the match day, 8th February for Saturday 22ndNovember, 2014 IRELAND v Australia Aviva Stadium

FEBRUARY 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 3 REGULAR: GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS

Venues confirmed for Ireland Summer Tour The venues have been confirmed for Ireland’s two Test Tour of Argentina this summer as Resistencia and Tucumán City.

CANTERBURY Announced as The 1st Test will take place on the 7th June at the Estadio New Kit Sponsor to IRFU Centenario in Resistencia, the capital city of Chaco Province Multi million Euro deal unites the which is located in the northeast two brands until 2020 of Argentina.

Leading sports clothing brand Canterbury of has been next two Rugby World Cups.” The 2nd Test comes a week later announced as the new kit supplier to the Irish Rugby Football Union. on the 14th June and will take Commenting Joe Schmidt, Irish place at the Estadio José Fierro Irish fans will see the Ireland team line up in the new Canterbury kit Head Coach, said: “I’m delighted in Tucumán Province in the th for the first time at the Aviva Stadium on November 8 when they to have Canterbury partnering northwest of Argentina. take on South Africa. The new multi-million euro deal announced with Ireland in our upcoming recently unites the two brands for six years until 2020, including two World Cup cycle. I’ve worked Ireland has played 13 Tests World Cup tournaments. with Canterbury in the past and against the Pumas winning eight have always been impressed by and losing five. The last Test Since its establishment in 1904 Canterbury has expanded to become the quality and innovation they between the two nations took the world’s largest rugby apparel brand and is the official kit of six bring to the table. “ place in the Aviva Stadium in rugby nations including England, Russia, Spain, Japan, USA and November 2012 when Ireland ran now Ireland. Bringing over a century of experience to the table, Commenting Pat Fitzgerald, out 42-24 winners. Ireland last Canterbury will team up with the IRFU for the second time since their President IRFU, said: “I’d like toured Argentina in 2007 with inaugural partnership which ran from 2000 until 2009. to welcome Canterbury into the Pumas claiming victory in the Irish Rugby family as we both Tests on home soil. Canterbury will work closely with the IRFU management and journey towards the 2015 international players to produce match day, training and bench . Having the IRELAND 2014 Summer Tour of wear for the national squad as well as all junior and underage teams backing of the world’s top rugby Argentina including the O2 Irish Wolfhounds, Under 20’s and Women’s national apparel brand is testament to side. Official Canterbury IRFU merchandise will be sold through all the strength of the Irish Rugby Argentina v IRELAND major sports retailers and online from autumn 2014. brand and reflects positively Saturday 7th June, 2014 on the progressive steps being Estadio Centenario, Resistencia, Chris Stephenson, Canterbury CEO, added: “In the IRFU we have taken to ensure that we cement Chaco found a partner with shared values, a shared heritage and a shared our position at the top of world focus and ambition to succeed at the pinnacle of our disciplines. rugby.” Argentina v IRELAND These mutual traits were paramount in our decision to join forces Saturday 14th June, 2014 and share in what we believe will be a truly exciting journey for Irish Estadio José Fierro, Tucumán Rugby, most particularly the supporters, and Canterbury through the

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Emerald Rugby_Honda Challenge.indd 1 27/01/2014 11:49 REGULAR: GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS Top players commit to IRFU It’s been a busy few months on the field as three of our provinces have qualified for the quarter finals of the Heineken cup. Off the field it’s been equally busy as the IRFU has taken positive moves finalising players contracts.

The biggest speculation surrounded and Sean O’Brien who were reported to be close to signing for Toulon in France. However in January the speculation was kicked into touch with news that both players had decided to commit their immediate playing futures to Ireland and Leinster.

Heaslip signed a 3 year contract and speaking after the deal he said “It is great to have signed on for another three years with Leinster. Leinster is where I wanted to continue playing and I am happy that the process is now at end. I am looking forward to playing my role in driving success for both Leinster and Ireland.” Jamie Heaslip His Leinster backrow team-mate Sean O’Brien signed a two year contract. The Tullow man commented “It is flattering to find yourself the subject of interest from some of the biggest rugby clubs in the world but in the end I made a decision based on the standard mix of professional and personal considerations.

“It was a very difficult decision but, with a World Cup next year and the fact that I believe Leinster can continue to win trophies, I have decided to commit my immediate future to the club. I am very excited about what Ireland can achieve under Joe Schmidt and I am confident that, under Matt O’Connor, Leinster will remain the power in Europe it has been over the past 5 or 6 years.

“I want to acknowledge the professionalism of all those involved, including the overseas clubs with whom I had discussions, and thank Leinster and the IRFU for their commitment to me. Finally a word about the Leinster fans because their “voice” represents an important consideration for players like me when it comes to making big career Sean O’Brien decisions such as this.”

Ireland’s iconic lock forward Paul O’Connell also signed a contract extension that will see the man playing with Munster and Ireland until at least June 2016. Current Ireland skipper, O’Connell who made his Ireland debut in the 54-10 6 Nations win over Wales in February 2002, has toured three times with the British & Irish Lions (‘05, ‘09, ‘13), captaining the tourists on the 2009 tour of South Africa and playing in the first two Tests of the successful 2013 tour of Australia. O’Connell captained Munster to Heineken Cup success in 2008 and to two Pro12 titles (2009 & 2011).

Speaking about the new contract Paul said: Commenting “I am delighted to sign a new IRFU contract and to continue playing with Munster for the next two seasons. Over the years I have been privileged to play in many fantastic Munster sides and as we build for the future I am excited by the prospect of playing my part in achieving success with Munster and Ireland in the coming seasons.”

In addition to this, (2yrs), John Muldoon (2yrs), Donncha Ryan Paul O’Connell (3 yrs), Declan Fitzpatrick (2yrs), (2yrs) and (2yrs) have also signed new IRFU contracts which will help ensure the home based supporters will continue to be able to watch Ireland’s best players in action week in week out for their province. 6 EMERALD RUGBY FEBRUARY 2014

REGULAR: GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS

TEAMS NOW REGISTERING FOR HEINEKEN KINSALE 7S Preparations are well underway for the Heineken Kinsale 7s, taking ESPORTIF INTERNATIONAL place during the May Bank Holiday Weekend, 3rd - 4th May in the beautiful seaside town of Kinsale, Co. Cork. Already a number of merges with Irish rugby agency teams have entered this hugely popular event to compete for the attractive prize fund of €30,000 in Elite, Open, Social and Women’s Categories. CornerFlag

Entries from all over Ireland and the UK are coming in as well as Leading international rugby agency Esportif International have a women’s team from Norway and much interest from teams announced their merger with market leading Irish rugby agency from further afield, making the Heineken Kinsale 7s a top class Corner Flag Management to create Esportif Ireland. Corner Flag’s international tournament with a great atmosphere and social client list includes British and Irish Lions , Rory Best, programme too. Kinsale is known as the gourmet capital of Ireland with a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars that welcome visitors Stevie Ferris and along with Irish internationals Donnacha over the weekend. Now is the time to register your team on Ryan, and John Muldoon from Leinster, Munster and www.kinsale7s.com and book accommodation early. Connacht respectively. In addition to these Irish based players Corner Flag represents European based Springboks Francois Louw and Zane According to Philip Stokes, Tournament Director “We are delighted Kirchner. again to have Heineken as title sponsors. Their enduring support ensures the continued success of the event and we are looking Ryan Constable, Founder and Managing Director of Corner Flag, said forward to another great 7s weekend in May.” “This merger represents an exciting opportunity to extend our global reach. Our comprehensive network will provide invaluable market For the sixth year, Kukri is the official event wear for the Heineken knowledge across key rugby territories and this will undoubtedly Kinsale 7s. Kukri are currently taking orders for team kit, as there is a benefit both the individual players and coaches we represent and the prize for the best turned out team each year. Other partners include clubs we work with on recruitment and retention objectives.” Pride Passion Party, Hayes Caravan Services and Kinsale Town Council. Esportif International have also announced the appointment of Peter For all information see Kenyon as Non-Executive Chairman. Kenyon, who was previously www.kinsale7s.com and follow us on facebook and twitter to catch Chief Executive of Manchester United and Chelsea FC is currently up on all the previews, and team promotions active within the international business community and will assume HEINEKEN CUP QUARTER-FINAL DATES his role with immediate effect. (All kick-offs local time) Peter Kenyon will join a business that manages some of the biggest

names in world rugby. Esportif International’s European clients Saturday 5 April include Welsh and British & Irish Lions Jon Davies and Mike Phillips, v Toulouse, England international along with leading European (13.30) Sky Sports/Canal + ASM based overseas players Matt Giteau, and Johann Muller. Clermont Auvergne v The New Zealand office of Esportif International is one of the largest Stade Marcel-Michelin (17.00) FR 2/Sky Sports rugby management agencies in New Zealand and represents leading v Saracens, All Blacks such as , , , Steven Ravenhill (18.30) Sky Sports/Canal + Luatua and as well as Kiwi Rugby League players such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Sunday 6 April Toulon v , Stade Félix Mayol (17.30) FR 2/Sky Sports

8 EMERALD RUGBY FEBRUARY 2014

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SIX NATIONS

Niamh Briggs Pool REVIEWS

DOWNLOAD THE NEW APP. ISSN 1740-1879 THE REWARDS ARE LEGENDARY. 01 Iain Henderson 9 771740 187009 ULSTER BANK LEAGUE CLUB FOCUS SQUAD PROFILES WOMENS RUGBY NEWS Over 18s only. The GUINNESS word and associated logos are trade marks © Guinness & Co. 2014. www.EmeraldRugby.com

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