RRP €4.75 (inc VAT)/£3.50 ’s Leading Rugby Magazine April 2014 - Vol 11 issue 3

Six Nations Reflection & Reaction

ISSN 1740-1879 The protein you need to raise your game. SCHOOLS 03 There are moments in a match when you need to dig deep. JAMIEInterviews... Heaslip During this kind of hard exercise, breakdown happens deep inside your muscle fibres. Cyclone from MaxiNutrition provides creatine to give CIAN Bohane you the explosive power to go that extra yard, plus the protein your muscles need to recover and rebuild. 9 771740 187009 FINALS WWW.MAXINUTRITION.COM YOUNG GUNS CLUB FOCUS SIX NATIONS CLUB RUGBY NEWS SCHOOLS CUP Protein supports healthy muscles. WWW.MAXINUTRITION.COM MAXINUTRITION, CYCLONE and theStar Device are registered trade marks of the GSK group of companies. www.EmeraldRugby.com Concussion Recognise & Remove

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44 Club game set for radical review As the domestic club season reaches it’s 10 The extra 1% conclusion, we take a closer look at some of the radical changes being proposed by the IRFU 26 6 Nations - 1 winner We reflect on an Irish job well done 48 Bank Club Internationals 30 England & Ireland The best players from the Irish club game Spearhead Northern were on display throughout the Six Nations and we review the best of the RWC hopes action. We catch up with Leinster and Ireland’s Alan Solomons looks at the impact of the who talks about getting 2014 RBS Six Nations as we approach the that extra edge in his game Rugby World Cup next year

14 Cian Bohane 32 2 out of 3 47 Young Guns ready to make his For U20s in Athlone This month’s nominated Young Gun is Greg We reflect on an Irish job well done for Jones from St Andrews College Munster mark PwC Ireland U20’s We speak with Munster’s Cian Bohane who is ready to make his 50 Club & School notes mark with Munster Get right up to speed with the domestic club and school game 18 No 4 who’s hungry 54 Club Focus for more This month we focus on St. Marys RFC Leinster and Ireland lock Limerick who celebrate their 70th Devin Toner chats about his anniversary this season early playing days and his hunger for success with Ireland and Leinster 64 The Rucker Ranting and raving from Ireland’s biggest supporter 22 Did the Six Nations deliver? 34 Senior Sean Holley reflects on the overall RBS Six Nations and asks, as a whole, did it Schools Cup Finals deliver? Full review of the four provincial Senior Schools Cup finals 2 General News News from around the game

42 A hookers job 56 Provincial News Bernard Jackman looks at how the role of Latest news from the four Irish province’ the hooker has changed with the introduction of the new scrum Competitions are open to all readers (over 18’s where stated) except engagement calls 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.

APRIL 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 1 EDITORIAL: GENERAL NEWS

Editors Note CORRESPONDENCE 32 The Slopes, Craigavon, County Armagh, N.Ireland BT63 5NT What a fantastic first RBS Six Nations for Joe Schmidt and his Tel (ROI) 048 3834 4333 team. Securing a championship at the first time of trying was Tel +44 (0)28 3834 4333 a terrific way to start his international coaching career... long Twitter: @Emeraldrugby may it continue. Facebook: facebook.com/emeraldrugby

EDITORIAL With the highs of a tournament win came the lows as the Editor: Manus Lappin realization set in that we will never see Brian O’Driscoll in the Email: [email protected] Ireland jersey again. He made his test debut in Brisbane against Aus- Tweets: twitter.com/Emeraldrugby tralia on Saturday 12th June 1999 and he has been ever present in the Irish team since. It’s pretty remarkable for any player to have a 15 year career at the very highest level ADVERTISING but I’m going to resist the temptation to reflect just yet because he still has a very busy Sales and Marketing Director: Emma Lappin season to finish. Once the season is over we will have time to reflect on the outstand- Tel (ROI) 048 3834 4333 Tel (NI) 028 3834 4333 ing career and outstanding player that is Brian O’Driscoll. Email: [email protected] Advertising Sales: Frank Quinn You can read more of my thoughts on the 2014 RBS Six Nations on P26 while Sean Advertising Design: Cormac Doyle Holley also shares some of his favourite moments from the tournament on P22 and Alan Solomons (P30) looks at the impact of this years tournament on the global push DESIGN & LAYOUT towards the Rugby World Cup next year. Creative Director: Malachy McDaid GrafXpress We’re at the business end of the season as the domestic and professional games reach Email: [email protected] their conclusion. We had five pulsating Schools Senior Cup finals, the Connacht final SUBSCRIPTIONS which was contested between Garbally College and Sligo Grammar ended in a draw Subscribe online at www.emeraldrugby.com and was set for a replay which we will cover in full next month. In this issue we have Email: [email protected] full reports from each provincial final where some exceptional talent has been on display this season. As the club season draws to a close in April we will bring you a full CONTRIBUTORS round-up of the Ulster Bank League next month. Alan Solomons Conor Kelly Frank Quinn Trevor Johnston On the subject of the Ulster Bank League on P44 we take a look at some of the radi- Aidan McCullen Adam Redmond Kate Rowan Dermot Keyes cal proposals being put forward by the IRFU to refine and restructure our premier John Dickson Bernard Jackman domestic competition the Ulster Bank League. The payment of players to compete in an amateur competition has long been a problem for the club game. With some of the proposals put forward in the latest club review, payment of players will become more SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS difficult as the structure and new points system is very much geared towards develop- Jim Stitt Matt Geraghty ing indigenous players to play the club game. Conor O’Leary Barney McGonigle Conor Keown Michael Silke It’s great to report that at long last consensus on the future of European rugby seems Cliona Quaide Andrew Hogan to be close. At the time of going to press the final detail had yet to be confirmed but enough information was available to suggest the European Cup will continue albeit in PHOTOGRAPHY a slightly different format with full representation from all Six Unions. It is unlikely to be Sportsfile (www.sportsfile.com) called the Heineken Cup although Heineken are still keen to be involved as a principal Dickson Digital sponsor, but it is expected the competition will move to more of a UEFA Champions Jim Stitt League style where the competition has its own name and principal sponsors do not Inpho have naming rights to the tournament. Whatever they decide to call it, I think the big value for all rugby enthusiasts is, we will have a cracking competition moving forward. DISTRIBUTION Newspread, WNS, Direct Distribution. Don’t forget to join in the debates and discussions on facebook and twitter where we PUBLISHER also run regular competitions and ticket giveaways. Stay in touch... Extreme Publications Ltd. Yours in Rugby,

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

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2 EMERALD RUGBY APRIL 2014 GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS

Members of the Ireland squad L-R Brian O’Driscoll, Jack McGrath & meet with Ellen Phillips and her mum Carol from Blanchardstown with the 6 Nations trophy on a visit to Temple Street Childrens Hospital

Six Nations European Rugby crisis looks Trophy Tour set to be resolved At the time of going to press the final touches were being added to a Kicks Off new European rugby peace deal looks set to safeguard the future of European Rugby. The RBS 6 Nations trophy has been on the move non-stop since it returned to Ireland and now details of the first leg of the trophy Administrative control for the new European Cup will move from ERC tour have been confirmed. who have managed the tournament for the last 18 years, to a new The official RBS 6 Nations trophy tour kicked in and continues company likely to be based in Switzerland. The board of the new in Munster visiting clubs and schools in the province. company will be made up of members from each of the Six Unions More dates will be announced but already the trophy is booked out while a separate committee run by members of the three leagues right through April and into May. under an independent chairman will assume commercial responsibly. Fans are invited to contribute their pictures with the trophy on The main European Cup competition will see a reduction in teams social media using #6Nchampions14 on Twitter, Facebook and from 24 to 20. Six teams from the English Premiership, six from the Top irfurugby on Instagram. 14 and seven from the Pro12. The remaining place will be decided in a playoff between the seventh placed teams in the English and French Already the trophy has appeared in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in leagues. The previous winner will no longer be guaranteed a place in Longford, courtesy of IRFU President Pat Fitzgerald, who was Grand the tournament. Marshall for the day. From a Pro12 perspective the top team from each country will be guaranteed a place in the European Cup plus the remaining three Since the trophy was won in Paris on March 15, it has made highest placed finishers in the league will also qualify. appearances with in Louth, in Cork and on ‘The Late Late Show’, and with Ireland captain Paul O’Connell at An additional stumbling block had been around the issue of TV rights, Thomond Park. where both Sky and BT Sport had claims, however it also looks likely that both broadcasters will agree to some kind of share of TV rights. Recently Brian O’Driscoll, Cian Healy, Jack McGrath and That would mean that current tournament organisers ERC would be in brought the Championship silverware to Temple Street Children’s a position to release financial payments to the existing teams, having University Hospital and then the Ireland squad were received by held onto the payments to safeguard against any possible litigation by Minister Leo Varadkar and Minister Michael Ring at a state function the current rights holders. in Farmleigh House.

APRIL 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 3 REGULAR: GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS Nigel Owens, takes no nonsense

Italy Commit to Pro12 The Italian (FIR) have signed a new agreement which will see them competing in the Pro12 for the next four years. Since their inclusion in the tournament, the Italian teams had to pay €3m per season to be off-set against the additional costs incurred by the original 10 teams in competing in Italy. Following a constructive meeting last mont between FIR and the Celtic Rugby Unions (SRU, IRFU, WRU) agreement was reached for FIR to join Celtic Rugby as an Nigel Owens To Take equal partner from July 1st, 2014. The terms of participation of two Italian teams were agreed upon. Charge Of The Battle Of

Under the new agreement, FIR will ensure the participation of two Clontarf Italian teams for the next four years in the competition which is currently known as the RaboDirect PRO12. World Class Referee Nigel Owens will be the Man in the Middle as Clontarf Rugby welcomes the World Famous Barbarians RFC to Castle Avenue

Maximuscle relaunches as Clontarf Rugby are delighted to announce that Welsh referee Nigel Owens has been confirmed to take charge of the Dankse Bank MaxiNutrition in Ireland Challenge between Clontarf and the Barbarians on April 23rd in Castle Ireland stars Jamie Heaslip and have been Avenue. Kick-Off is 5.30pm. announced as the new MaxiNutrition ambassadors, as Maximuscle relaunches as MaxiNutrition in Ireland. The UK and Europe’s Owens, a television presenter in his native Wales is one of the leading sports nutrition brand is launching a new product range most recognisable referees in and was the only Welsh and campaign. referee at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups. He has taken charge of many of Ireland’s high-profile games and made headlines in 2012 The MaxiNutrition range is divided into four categories: Recover by addressing a player who was acting up with the line “This is not nd and Rebuild; Mass and Size; Strength and Power; and Lean soccer”. The evening before the game, April 22 , the club will be Definition. These clear product ranges will help people understand hosting “An Evening with Nigel Owens” in a purpose built marquee which product is right for them both by their goal and training that will be in place for the duration of the 1014 celebrations in the status. MaxiNutrition’s new range is based on science and a real club. understanding of the benefits of protein-led sports nutrition. For more information on MaxiNutrition products visit Tickets for the event are priced at €20 and are available from behind http://www.maximuscle.ie the bar in the Clontarf Rugby Club, or by calling the office on 01- 8336214.

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Sean Kelly backs Ireland RWC Bid Details Sean Kelly MEP reiterated his finalised support for Ireland’s bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023, while addressing for 2014 an event at Bandon Rugby Football Club in Cork last Guinness month.

“Ireland has excellent sporting November facilities and proven ability to successfully host major Series sporting events, such as the Special Olympics. It could be Ireland will take on South a hugely historical all-island Africa, Australia and Georgia at event, with massive economic the Aviva Stadium during the and tourism benefits.” Guinness Series in November The former GAA President 2014. oversaw the redevelopment of Croke Park and steered Ireland open their Guinness through the historical ‘Rule Series account against world 42’ which allowed non-Gaelic number 2, South Africa. There games to be played at Croke has only been a score between Park, including rugby - an the two teams in the last three achievement that has paved meetings at the Aviva Stadium the way for the world cup bid. with the spoils going to the visitors on the last two occasions. opening on Tuesday 3rd June. Mr Kelly cited Croke Park The game kicks off on Saturday already looking forward to Ticket prices, value packages and and other major GAA venues 8th November at 17:30. the visit of Australia, Georgia travel offers will be confirmed at around the country, such as and South Africa for the 2014 a later date. Semple Stadium, Thurles and On Sunday 16th November, Guinness Series this November. Fitzgerald Park in Killarney Ireland welcome Georgia to the The 2013 Guinness Series The 2014 Guinness Series will be alongside the traditional Aviva Stadium for the very first delivered fantastic rugby, great broadcast live on RTE and SKY. rugby home grounds of time. Georgia almost broke Irish excitement, noise and colour to Thomand Park, the Aviva, hearts at the 2007 Rugby World the Aviva Stadium on which the Musgrave Park, and Ravenhill Cup in Bordeaux when a Girvan Ireland team continued to build 2014 Guinness Series as potential locations for the Dempsey try saved the day. The and build and the 2014 series Fixtures: games. “Ireland could easily game gets underway at 14:30 looks set to deliver the same accommodate the 377,000 or again. Irish rugby continues to Saturday 8th November, more visitors that the Rugby The final game of the 2014 deliver great days out and we 2014 World Cup would bring to the Guinness Series sees Ewen are proud to be part of the Irish IRELAND v South Africa country.” McKenzie’s Australia return to rugby family.” Aviva Stadium, K.O. 17:30 the Aviva Stadium on Saturday The MEP, who is a member 22nd November. The game Tickets for the 2014 Guinness Sunday 16th November, of the European Parliament’s kicks-off at 16:30. Series are now available for order 2014 Committee on Culture and through rugby clubs. A priority IRELAND v Georgia Sport, emphasised that Rory Sheridan, Diageo’s Head sales window for Supporters Aviva Stadium, K.O. 14:30 Ireland has the necessary of Sponsorship – Western Club members will take place infrastructure to welcome Europe, commented, “We are in advance of the public sale Saturday 22nd November, such an event. “The economic 2014 and tourism benefits of almost IRELAND v Australia 400,000 international fans Aviva Stadium, K.O. 16:30 visiting Ireland over 23 days would provide a multi-million boost across the country,” he added.

“This is an opportunity for Ireland and we should do all we can to seize it,” Mr Kelly added.

6 EMERALD RUGBY APRIL 2014

REGULAR: GENERAL NEWS Ireland GENERAL NEWS Host First Secondary Schools Blitz Mike Brown (r) is congratulated by Billy Rugby League Ireland held their first ever secondary schools blitz last TwelvetreesAll enjoyed a day where the month when three schools from Drogheda, took part in weather was as good as the a one day 9-aside blitz in St. Josephs CBS. The host schools St Josephs rugby on show. competed with local rivals St Mary’s College and Gormanstown College in the shortened form of the game. Rugby League Ireland would like to extend their thanks to In total just fewer than 60 students took part in the event which saw teachers from the three schools the schools face each other once. For all of the students this was their particularly to St Josephs CBS first taste of rugby league and after a quick run through of the rules Teacher Anthony McCreery who they took to the field and immediately began playing some high was a key part of getting the quality rugby. event off the ground. The first game saw St Josephs take on St Mary’s in a hard fought battle. St Mary’s edged the victory over their neighbours and appeared to be the team to beat after the first viewing. In the second game St Joseph’s would have to back up and face Gormanstown who had the advantage of watching the first game. Despite a superb start from Gormanstown who grabbed two early unanswered tries it was the home side that snatched their first victory Mike Brown awarded RBS of the day.

Gormanstown would then have to face a strong St Mary’s outfit in Six Nations player of the game three. St Mary’s started brightly in their second outing but Gormanstown rallied in the second half. Despite a strong comeback it tournament was St Mary’s who grabbed their second win of the day. England fullback Mike Brown defenders, whilst conceding no In Game four St Mary’s and St Josephs would face off for the second has clinched the coveted RBS penalties and gaining over 540 time. This time the game would be an extremely tight affair. At the Player of the Championship meters. end of a physical game there was nothing between the sides with the award for the 2014 RBS 6 Nations, score line 16-16. securing over 34% of the public’s Mike Brown commented: “I’d vote. Over 68,000 people voted like to say a massive thank you The Fifth game of the day saw Gormanstown face St Josephs once to have their say, with 23,408 to everyone who voted for me more. This was another tense affair with St Josephs just scraping past backing England’s number 15. to be RBS 6 Nations Player of the a valiant Gormanstown effort. Championship. I’m extremely Gormanstown would go into the final fixture against St Mary’s full of The 16 man shortlist was decided grateful and proud to win confidence after some very strong performances. The day ended with through match statistics, this award, particularly as it’s Gormanstown grabbing a well earned win over St Mary’s analysing the best performing decided by the supporters. It players across a set range of was disappointing not to win criteria in this year’s RBS 6 the tournament overall but RLI Student Squad Nations. The public then had 48 congratulations to Ireland, and Rugby League Ireland is pleased to announce the Student squad for hours to vote for their RBS Player I’m sure we’ll come back stronger the upcoming 4 nations in Nottingham. The selection process began of the Championship. next season. Finally a big thank back in January with trials in Limerick, and Dublin. There has you to all my team mates, been a significant increase in numbers from trials in previous year. Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll came backroom staff, and coaches It is great to see the numbers trying out rugby league in Ireland and in a close second with 28% for all the help they’ve given players have been really putting the coaches under pressure to make of the vote, after his 14 year me through the tournament. I some tough decisions. international career came to couldn’t perform on the field Squad an end on a high with Ireland without them and it’s great to being crowned the 2014 RBS 6 have that support.” Aidan Devane (University of Cambridge), Ben Matchett (University Nations Champions. Reflecting of Ulster), Benedict Turner (UCD), Ciaran Connolly (University of their achievement, fans voted Players at every RBS 6 Nations Salford), Connor Phillips (Queens University), Diarmuid Carr (St. O’Driscoll’s teammates in at match this year were awarded (or Patrick’s College), Eoin Matthews (Institute of Technology Sligo), 3rd place ( with deducted) points based upon a Finn Stoneman (Queens University), Gareth Gill (Lisburn SERC), 10%), 4th place ( number of different performance James Kelly (University of Glamorgan), Josh Crabtree (Leeds with 5%) and Rob Kearney in 5th categories which cover all Metropolitan University), Josh Dean (Huddersfield New College), place. Scotland’s David Denton aspects of the game. These Matthew Cahoon (University of Ulster), Matthew Connolly (Dundalk came in at 6th and England’s categories were proportionately Institute of Technology), Robbie Stewart (Queens University), Ronan Danny Care at 7th. weighted based on the different Hogan (Waterford Institute of Technology), Shane O’Kelly (Dublin positions by an algorithm Institute of Technology), Stephen Costello (Dundalk Institute of According to match statistics created by RBS and Accenture, Technology), Stephen Gamble (NUI Galway), Vincent Morris Brown scored four tries for Official Technology Partner of (Nottingham Trent University) England, had 65 carries, beat 25 the RBS 6 Nations.

8 EMERALD RUGBY APRIL 2014

RRP €4.75 (inc VAT)/£3.50 Ireland’s Leading Rugby Magazine April 2014 - Vol 11 issue 3

Six Nations Reflection & Reaction

ISSN 1740-1879 The protein you need to raise your game. SCHOOLS 03 There are moments in a match when you need to dig deep. JAMIEInterviews... Heaslip During this kind of hard exercise, breakdown happens deep inside your muscle fibres. Cyclone from MaxiNutrition provides creatine to give CIAN Bohane you the explosive power to go that extra yard, plus the protein your muscles need to recover and rebuild. 9 771740 187009 FINALS DEVIN Toner WWW.MAXINUTRITION.COM YOUNG GUNS CLUB FOCUS SIX NATIONS CLUB RUGBY NEWS SCHOOLS CUP Protein supports healthy muscles. WWW.MAXINUTRITION.COM MAXINUTRITION, CYCLONE and theStar Device are registered trade marks of the GSK group of companies. www.EmeraldRugby.com