sign in sign up
<<
Home , Barnstaple RFC, Billy Holland, BJ Botha, Blackrock College RFC, British and Irish Cup, Caleb Montgomery

RRP €4.75 (inc VAT)/£3.50 Irelandʼs Leading Rugby Magazine JUNE 2014 - Vol 11 issue 5

MULLER Bids Farewell

DAVE FOLEY Ready For Takeoff

LEINSTER RUGBY 2014 Champions

ISSN 1740-1879 The protein you need to raise your game. 05 There are moments in a match when you need to dig deep. During this kind of hard exercise, breakdown happens deep inside your muscle fibres. Cyclone from MaxiNutrition provides creatine to give you the explosive power to go that extra yard, plus the protein your muscles need to recover and rebuild. 9 771740 187009 Leinster Souvenir Poster

KINSALE 7’s JONO GIBBES HEINEKEN CUP FINAL CLUB RUGBY CONTRACT NEWS WWW.MAXINUTRITION.COM 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

Convulsive Unsteady Headache Confused Knocked out Dazed Nauseous Dizzy

Any of these - get them off NOW irbplayerwelfare.com/concussion CONTENTS www.emeraldrugby.com JUNE 2014

P16 Dave Foley Set for takeoff

P10 Johann Muller bids farewell

LEINSTER RUGBY 2014 Champions

P30 Leinster Souvenir Poster P20 Jono Gibbes A Lasting Leinster Legacy

P24 Toulon Double Champions of Europe Awards 2014 P48

OTHER FEATURES P36 TEST RUGBY P40 RABODIRECT PRO12 P46 Club & School P28 REFLECTION It’s not always about picking What’s not to love? Notes... Solly talks about his return to the best players northern climes P44 RWC BID P38 KINSALE SEVENS Why Ireland need to win the bid P32 REBORN We back at the action to host the Sean Holley the rebirth of from the 2014 Heineken and should pull out all the stops a great rugby club Kinsale 7’s

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 1 EDITORIAL: GENERAL NEWS

Editors Note

What a way for Leinster to finish the season with a fantastic CORRESPONDENCE 34-12 win over in the final of the RaboDirect 32 The Slopes, Craigavon, County Armagh, N.Ireland PRO12. In truth the scoreline probably flattered Leinster BT63 5NT a little as Glasgow proved formidable opponents, in the Tel (ROI) 048 3834 4333 final however it was the superior power of Leinster who Tel +44 (0)28 3834 4333 Twitter: @Emeraldrugby pulled clear of the Scots in the closing fifteen minutes Facebook: facebook.com/emeraldrugby to seal a very convincing win. Leinster became only the second team to win back to back league titles since the EDITORIAL back in 04/05. Editor: Manus Lappin You can read the full match-report and video highlights on our website. Email: [email protected] Tweets: twitter.com/Emeraldrugby It was a pretty successful season for Leinster ‘A’ who also went on to secure back to back the British & Irish cup titles under the direction of . The Leinster ADVERTISING Sales and Marketing Director: Emma Lappin conveyor belt of talent is continuing to produce top talent and the next generation of Tel (ROI) 048 3834 4333 Leinster players are certainly developing a winning habit. Tel (NI) 028 3834 4333 Email: [email protected] The PRO12 final in the RDS saw two Irish legends play their final game. In a fantastic Advertising Sales: Frank Quinn gesture, skipper stood aside to let the retiring Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Advertising Design: Cormac Doyle Cullen lift the trophy in a fitting finale for both players. Cullen has already taken up a role on the Leinster coaching team whereas O’Driscoll has indicated he may return in DESIGN & LAYOUT some capacity to Leinster, but not before he takes a well earned rest from the game. Creative Director: Malachy McDaid GrafXpress Email: [email protected] I was lucky to be in to see claim back to back Heineken Cup titles with Toulon at the end of last month. The world cup winner, went on the SUBSCRIPTIONS following week to lead his side to the French Top14 title and bring down the curtain Subscribe online at www.emeraldrugby.com on another illustrious career. A rugby world without O’Driscoll and Wilkinson is a little Email: [email protected] surreal at this stage, but their retirement presents huge opportunities and I’m looking forward to seeing who emerges from their shadows over the coming seasons. CONTRIBUTORS Alan Solomons Conor Kelly Frank Quinn Trevor Johnston All too often we hear about players being forced to retire through injury so to see Aidan McCullen Adam Redmond three legends like Cullen, O’Driscoll and Wilkinson retire on their own terms does the Kate Rowan Dermot Keyes heart some good. No doubt there is some luck mixed in, but you will not find three John Dickson Bernard Jackman more dedicated professionals who at huge personal sacrifice, have really looked after themselves to ensure their bodies can stand the massive pressure of playing top flight professional rugby. Perhaps there is a SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS lesson in there for young players... Matt Geraghty Pauline McFerran perhaps there is a lesson in there for us Barney McGonigle Conor Keown Maeve Clarke Cliona Quaid all! Wendy Hickey Yours in rugby

PHOTOGRAPHY Sportsfile (www.sportsfile.com) Manus Dickson Digital Jim Stitt Inpho returns to

DISTRIBUTION The Irish Union has confirmed that National Team Forwards Coach John Newspread, WNS, Direct Distribution. Plumtree is to leave his role with the national team following the Tour of . Plumtree will link up with his former coaching partner to lead the PUBLISHER Extreme Publications Ltd. in the 2015 campaign. Current Rioch Lions coach, Boyd will take up the coach role, with Plumtree as his assistant

All rights reserved. No part of this publication The New Zealander joined the Ireland national coaching team in September 2013 and may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any shape or form or by any means worked with the national team during the 2013 Guinness Series and the 2014 RBS 6 Nations electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise Championship. without the written permission of the publishers, John Plumtree, said, “I have really enjoyed working with Joe, Les and the players over the Extreme Publications Ltd. Whilst every care is taken of submitted MSS, photographs, drawings and content, no last few months. But at the end of the day family must come first and we must do what we responsibility can be accepted for their loss or damage. think is best for the Plumtree family. I would like to thank the IRFU for their understanding Extreme Publications Ltd do not accept responsibility for and wish everyone involved in Irish rugby the best of luck for the future.” the quality or content of advertisements supplied by, or compiled under instruction from a third party. Ireland Team Manager, Michael Kearney commented, “The Ireland National Rugby Team and Management would like to thank John for his contribution to the team’s success over the Copyright Extreme Publications Ltd past season. We are sad to see him go but our best wishes are with John and his family on their return to New Zealand.”

2 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS Voted Hibernia College IRUPA Players’ Player Of The Year 2014

Leinster’s Omar Hassanein, CEO of IRUPA was awarded the Hibernia said: “I am really pleased for College Medal for Excellence, Andrew, he has forced his way which rewards on field effort back in to the national team combined with off field with a bang, and this award is commitment to the game. a superb reflection of the stellar Nominees were voted by their season he has enjoyed with peers but were also judged Ireland and . on their contribution to the Winning an IRUPA award is the Ulster and Ireland winger to for his intercept sport through community highest honour a player can Andrew Trimble was last night try against New Zealand during involvement, education, work receive in this country, Andrew voted the Hibernia College Ireland’s heartbreaking defeat to and charitable initiatives. and all the winners and IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year holders nominees should be 2014 by his fellow players at the in the Autumn International Series. Three new awards were congratulated for the high 12th annual awards ceremony. presented this year; the recognition they have received Andrew has had stand out Andrew was delighted to receive Boardmatch Contribution to amongst their peers.” season for both Ireland and the award saying: “It is an honour Society, was presented to Ulster. He started all of Ireland’s to be recognised with this award, Donncha O’Callaghan in Dr. Sean Rowland, President and 6 Nations games, scoring especially as it’s voted for by the recognition of the significant founder of Hibernia College said: three tries along the way. The players. It’s been a great season impact made to society through ‘Hibernia College have formed prestigious award counts as and this really tops it all off”. As his work with Unicef. The a very strong relationship with Andrew’s third IRUPA Award well as the honour of being Player inaugural BNY Mellon Women’s IRUPA, providing scholarship overall, winning the Young Player of the Year, Andrew and all the Sevens Player of the Year 2014 opportunities to players through of the Year in 2006 and Try of the winners receive a Tissot watch as voted by members of the a combination of flexible online Year in 2010. The Award comes kindly provided by Tissot and Sevens squad was presented to learning approaches and only days after Trimble was Fields Jewelers. Nicole Cronin for her consistent internationally recognised recognized as the Ulster Player of performances during the academic programmes. It has the Year. Joining Ireland’s heroes in the qualification tournaments for been an excellent year for Irish BNY Mellon IRUPA Hall of Fame the Olympic Games in Rio in Rugby and Hibernia College Connacht and Ireland’s Robbie was Ulster and Ireland prop Simon 2016. In a season of standout students Andrew Trimble, Henshaw was awarded the Nevin Best. Munster’s performances and memories, Michael Swift, TJ Anderson and Spence Young Player 2014 for collected the O2 Unsung Hero members of the public voted . Andrew‘s success the second year in succession, Award, voted for by the public Ireland’s 6 Nations title win as at the awards highlights the marking the first time a player on the O2 Ireland Facebook and the Powerscourt Hotel Rugby continuing need to design and has won back to back awards Twitter accounts. was Moment of the Year via Twitter. provide flexible graduate and in any category in the 12 year presented with the Newstalk106- The award was collected by post-graduate programmes to history of the awards. 108fm Supporters Player of the Gordon D’Arcy and Ireland team meet the ever-changing needs Year as chosen by listeners of Off Manager, Michael Kearney. of these individuals and their The VW Try of the Year went the Ball. demanding lifestyles.’ JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 3 REGULAR: GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS IRFU APPOINT NEW CONNACHT CEO Greg Feek appointed Ireland scrum coach

The IRFU have announced that Greg Feek will join the Ireland national coaching team on a full-time basis from the start of the 2014/15 season on a 2 year contract.

Greg joined Leinster as scrum coach for the 2010/11 season and has been involved as a specialist consultant with the national team for the last three years. The new role includes the coaching of the National team scrum as well as being involved in the National Scrum Development Programme.

Through the National Scrum Development Programme, Greg will be working with the provincial and underage scrum coaches to identify and develop scrum talent and will focus on improving The IRFU is pleased to announce that Willie Ruane has been players’ general understanding of scrum mechanics and appointed to the position of CEO for and will technique. Greg won 10 for New Zealand between 1999 and take up the post this summer. 2001 and played Super Rugby with the Canterbury .

Before joining Leinster, Greg held the role of scrum resource The Mayo native played rugby for Connacht in the late 1990s coach for the Wellington Hurricanes franchise. and also represented Ireland at Colleges and U21 level. Willie

has been working in the Banking Sector for the past 15 years and Ireland Head Coach, Joe Schmidt commented, “Greg played an takes the role in Connacht after being a Director within Ulster important role during the 6 Nations and the National Coaching Bank’s Business Restructuring Division. Team are delighted that he will be joining us on a full-time

basis. He will also be a valuable addition to the national scrum On the field, Connacht have made steady progress under the development programme.” stewardship of Head Coach and have announced a

number of exciting and high profile signings for the forthcoming Greg Feek commented, “I am excited to be taking on this new season such as former All Black and the Waikato role. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Leinster Chief’s . and have grown as a coach at the province. There is some good

scrum talent across all four provinces but there is always plenty to IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne, commented, “We are work on as we attempt to maximize the growth and development delighted to appoint a person of Willie’s calibre and experience. of the emerging talent while also staying as competitive as It is both an exciting and challenging time for provincial rugby in possible at the top level.” Ireland with new European competitions and a revitalized PRO12. Connacht face a number of commercial challenges but recent squad named for IRB Nations Cup A 26 player infrastructural investment and record crowds at the Sportsground squad has been announced for the three game IRB Nations Cup shows the appetite and ambition of the province to grow the in Romania in mid-June. appeal of professional rugby in the region.”

The Emerging Ireland squad will be coached by Connacht’s Willie Ruane, commented, “I have a strong connection with Dan McFarland (Head Coach) and Ulster’s Neil Doak (Assistant Connacht Rugby and a good understanding of the challenges Coach). Emerging Ireland’s first game of the tournament and opportunities facing the province. Connacht Rugby has a takes place on Friday 13th June against Russia. Five days later top class coach, an exciting squad of players and some fantastic Emerging Ireland take on Uruguay on Wednesday 18th June with facilities. I am looking forward to helping to drive success on and the team’s final game of the IRB Nations Cup coming against off the pitch.” hosts Romania on Sunday 22nd June.

4 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 157147 UPC Emerald Rugby FP.indd 1 26/05/2014 14:40 REGULAR: GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS

EMERGING IRELAND SQUAD NAMED for IRB NATIONS CUP

A 26 player squad has been announced for the three game IRB Nations Cup in Romania in mid-June.

The Emerging Ireland squad will be coached by Connacht’s Dan McFarland (Head Coach) and Ulster’s Neil Doak (Assistant Coach). Emerging Ireland’s first game of the tournament takes place on Friday 13th June against Russia. Five days later Emerging Ireland take on Uruguay on Wednesday 18th June with the team’s final game of the IRB Nations Cup coming against hosts Romania on Sunday 22nd June. Emerging Ireland Squad

FORWARDS (15) Emerging Ireland Head Coach, ( Harlequins/ Dan McFarland, commented, “I Ulster)*, Rodney Ah You am looking forward to working Connachts Rodney Ah You part of emerging Ireland squad (Buccaneers/Connacht)*, with Neil and this exciting group Michael Bent ( University/ of players in what will be a highly Leinster), Callum Black (Malone/ competitive tournament. It is IRB Nations Cup 2014 - Ulster)*, Paddy Butler (Shannon/ a great opportunity for players Munster)*, Bryan Byrne (Clontarf/ to showcase their abilities and Leinster)*, Robin Copeland represent their country.” Romania (Cardiff )*, Sean Dougall Match 1: Argentina v IRELAND (Dolphin/ Munster)*, David Foley Joe Schmidt, Ireland Head Coach, Emerging Ireland v Russia Saturday 7th June, 2014 (UL Bohemians/Munster)*, Mick added, “There is a good mix of Friday 13th June 2014 Estadio Centenario, Resistencia, Kearney (Clontarf/Connacht)*, experienced and younger players Stadionul National Arcul de Chaco Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/ in this squad. They will face three Triumf 19:00 KO 15:40 local time (19:40 Irish Leinster) (c), Tommy O’Donnell tough fixtures as Romania have time) (UL Bohemians/Munster), Dominic already qualified for RWC14 and Match 2: Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)*, both Uruguay and Russia are in Emerging Ireland v Uruguay Emerging Ireland v Russia John Ryan ( Constitution/ the final stages of the Repechage Wednesday 18th June 2014 Friday 13th June 2014 Munster)*, James Tracy (UCD/ for World Cup qualification.” Stadionul National Arcul de Stadionul National Arcul de Leinster)* Triumf 19:00 Triumf 19:00 Players from last year’s Emerging BACKS (11) Ireland squad who have Match 3: Argentina v IRELAND Michael Allen (/ subsequently been capped for Romania v Emerging Ireland Saturday 14th June, 2014 Ulster)*, Ireland include , Sunday 22nd June 2014 Estadio José Fierro, Tucumán (/Munster)* Jack McGrath, Marty Moore and Stadionul National Arcul de KO 15:40 local time (19:40 Irish (Dungannon/ and a total of 6 Triumf 17:00 time) Ulster), (Galwegians/ from last year’s Emerging Ireland Connacht)*, JJ Hanrahan (UL squad¹ will travel with the Senior Rugby to catch this Emerging Ireland v Uruguay Bohemians/Munster)*, Ian team to Argentina. month Wednesday 18th June 2014 Keatley (/Munster), Stadionul National Arcul de Brendan Macken (Blackrock ¹ Players selected for Argentina Ireland U20 v France U20 Triumf 19:00 College/Leinster)*, Paul Marshall Tour from last year›s Emerging Monday 2nd June (Ballymena/Ulster), Luke McGrath Ireland squad include Robbie QBE Stadium, Romania v Emerging Ireland (UCD/Leinster)*, Johne Murphy Diack, Rob Herring, Jack McGrath, Sunday 22nd June 2014 (Young Munster/Munster)*, Noel Marty Moore, Jordi Murphy and Ireland U20 v U20 Stadionul National Arcul de Reid (Clontarf/Leinster)* Friday 6th June Triumf 17:00 *denotes uncapped player ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

6 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014

REGULAR: GENERAL NEWS GENERAL NEWS Rugby clubs receive funding boost

Five rugby clubs presented with support packages worth €30,000

An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí in has been announced as the overall winner of Ulster Bank RugbyForce, receiving a support package worth €10,000 and a training session with an IRFU coach and two Ireland rugby stars. Four additional clubs – Gort RFC in Galway, Portarlington RFC in Laois, Skibbereen RFC in Cork, and Armagh RFC – have also been chosen as provincial winners, each receiving a €5,000 support package.

Speaking about the award, Cian de Buitléar, Secretary of An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí, said: “This is a fantastic boost – not only for our club but for everyone in An Ghaeltacht. Our rugby club Armitage wins is a small operation but a big part of our community. Finding funding to maintain our pitch and facilities is not always easy but the Ulster Bank RugbyForce support package will go a long way in helping us to build our club and our team – in turn, building a ERC Player of great asset for our important community.”

Ulster Bank RugbyForce gives rugby clubs the opportunity to win support packages to renovate their club and upgrade their the year facilities. The winning clubs then host a planned ‘Ulster Bank RugbyForce Weekend’ which is designed to bring the community Steffon Armitage of Heineken without my teammates, this together to get behind their club. Ulster Bank runs the initiative Cup champions, RC Toulon, has individual award wouldn’t have as part of their Official Community Rugby Partnership with been named ERC European been possible. Also, to follow in the IRFU and this year, over 135 clubs entered Ulster Bank Player of the Year 2014. Armitage, the footsteps of Jonny Wilkinson RugbyForce. Since the initiative began in 2010, over €130,000 has also winner of the Heineken as a winner is really special.” been awarded to 165 clubs. Man of the Match award in last weekend’s final, has had Armitage is now included With the support of the Ulster Bank RugbyForce funding, An a magnificent season for the in a list of illustrious players Ghaeltacht Rugbaí plan to carry out essential works on their French club who retained their who have won the highest training pitch, purchase training equipment and help to develop European title in superb style at individual accolade in northern the club’s mini rugby teams. The funding will also go towards the . hemisphere rugby. Wilkinson, the organisation of the club’s annual Conamara Rugby Blitz, who captained Toulon to success which sees over 400 children from across the country travel to An The dynamic 28-year-old back at the Millennium Stadium, was Ghaeltacht. row was a key figure in Toulon’s last year’s winner and previously, second Heineken Cup triumph the award went to Rob Kearney Speaking about An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí and Ulster Bank in a row and not surprisingly was (Leinster Rugby 2012), Sean RugbyForce, Ellvena Graham, Head of Ulster Bank NI & Managing the number one ranked player O’Brien (Leinster Rugby 2011) Director of SME Banking, said: “An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí embodies in the tournament statistics for and to Ronan O’Gara (Munster what club rugby is all about. The club brings a focal point turnovers won with a total of Rugby) who was the inaugural and pride to their community. An initiative like Ulster Bank 19 while also featuring in the recipient in 2010 as the best RugbyForce is so important for the development of Irish rugby. top 10 in the carries, tackles and player over the first 15 years of There are young players across the country right now, who defenders beaten categories. ERC’s two tournaments. will one day wear a green jersey and play for their Country. Supporting grassroots rugby today will benefit Irish rugby He was presented with a specially Steffon Armitage fact file tomorrow and thankfully, Ulster Bank RugbyForce does just that. struck gold medal in recognition An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí are very deserving winners and I wish of the prestigious accolade Club: RC Toulon them every success.” by ERC Chief Executive, Derek Age: 28 McGrath. “This is a great honour, Position: Back row For further information on Ulster Bank RugbyForce and all of and with us winning another Heineken Cup apps: 36 Ulster Bank’s rugby initiatives, checkout www.ulsterbank.com/ Heineken Cup as well, everything Amlin CC apps: 13 rugby our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @ulsterbank_ has come together at the right 2013/14: P 9 Pts 0 rugby 7 time,” Armitage said. “There are Country: England (5 tests) a lot of big names at Toulon, but we’re like one big family and

8 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 “ADRENALIN FUELLED AND EMOTIONALLY DRAINING” ★★★★ EMPIRE

NARRATED BY LIAM NEESON

FOOTAGE OF MOTORCYCLE RACING NOTHING TO FEAR, EVERYTHING TO LOSE PG CRASHES, MILD BAD LANGUAGE ★★★★ “ASTONISHING” TOTAL FILM “CINEMATIC GENIUS” DAILY MIRROR “INSPIRATIONAL” RIDE ★★★★ “STUNNING” GAY TIMES

THE BLISTERING STORY OF THE DUNLOP ROAD-RACING DYNASTY

WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE: FILM + EXCLUSIVE LIVE Q&A. ON SALE NOW Q&A PARTICIPANTS: MICHAEL & WILLIAM DUNLOP, JOHN MCGUINNESS & HOSTED BY SUZI PERRY (TO BE FILMED LIVE AT EMPIRE, SQUARE, ) SEE WWW.ROADTHEFILM.COM FOR CINEMAS AND SHOWTIMES FEATURE: A FOND FAREWELL TO JOHANN MULLER

hen Johann Muller never been a two or three year was first announced vision, it has always been a ten to Was signing for Ulster fifteen year plan. Rugby it has to be said in some quarters it was met with a “From a squad perspective we’ve healthy dose of scepticism. obviously been tested this last Having won the World Cup with couple of weeks from an injury in 2007 and secured point of view. Losing players the Tri-Nations captaining like Rory (Best), , Dan his country against the All (Tuohy), Roger (Wilson), Robbie Blacks and playing 82 times (Diack) and Ruan (Pienaar), if that for the Sharks in Super Rugby, was the case in my first year here, experience was never a question. there was no chance, absolutely However when a southern no chance that we would have hemisphere player comes to been able to compete. I’m not these climes at the wrong side talking about winning, we would of 30, questions will always be not have even been able to asked. compete. is widely accepted that this was made no secret about it, and I’ll Four years on and any questions a game that arrived too early for say it again and again, my last “So where we have come from over Mullers commitment or Ulster who were only beginning four years here have been the four years ago and where we benefit to an emerging Ulster their rebuild phase. most enjoyable of my life and are now is; we’ve got a great have been well and truly my rugby career. I’ve loved every squad and I think that’s really dispelled. After signing for The following year, an Ulster second.” important. Even though at one Ulster in 2010 he lead the team side ravaged by injury lost to stage this season we had eleven on and off the field. In his final Saracens at the Quarter Finals of The last five years have saw Ulster or twelve front-line players out years with Ulster he led the side the Heineken Cup in Twickenham Rugby go through a massive injured, we’ve still got players through what was probably the and the same fate befell them transformation. The multi- with the ability to play at this most difficult time in the clubs this season albeit in entirely million pound re-development level week in, week out and for history. The loss of popular different circumstance. of once again me that’s the exciting thing and squad member Nevin Spence in houses the senior squad and that’s why I’m so positive about a tragic farming accident which Muller is an interviewers dream, team administration. A new state Ulster Rugby for the future. also claimed the lives of Nevin’s he speaks from the heart with of the art gym, conferencing dad Noel and his brother Graham the kind of honesty that has and medical facilities mean “Obviously with the facilities sent shockwaves through Ulster become synonymous with his Ulster Rugby is once again a self we’ve got now, the team, Rugby and the wider sporting style of play. As we sit in the new contained entity, a far cry from management and coaches community. This close knit squad stand at Ravenhill gazing out the club Muller joined in 2010. that I’m leaving behind I truly gathered around and helped across the unmistakable Belfast Whatever about the off-field and honestly believe that the each other through the loss cityscape, Muller is in reflective developments, it is on the field future of Ulster Rugby is in great of one of their own and they mood as his time in Belfast draws where Muller naturally sees the hands and without a doubt, the emerged out the other side to a close. biggest step forward trophies will come.” determined to push on in Nevin’s name. “A couple of months ago I still “I think as a team and a squad, Those trophies have thus far thought there was plenty of time where we’ve come from five proved elusive for the Northern Ulster went on to reach the left and now all of a sudden the years ago and where we are Province, who despite being in Heineken Cup final in 2012 where big day has arrived. At the end at this stage, there have been contention for League and Cup they were undone by Leinster of the day I’ve had a great time, some positive steps forward, honours at the business end who went on to lift the trophy. It I’ve really enjoyed myself. I’ve not enough of them but this has of the season, failed to make it

10 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE

By count but Muller is convinced Manus Lappin that Ulster are certainly on the right track and he is in no doubt that silverware will surely follow.

“This club is going to win plenty of trophies and I’m really sad that I couldn’t be part of it but I’m absolutely convinced this club will win trophies year in and year out over the next ten to fifteen years. And although I never lifted any trophies while with Ulster, I’m immensely proud to have been part of that building phase. When I arrived here four years ago and compare that scene to what I see around me now, the difference is day and night and that really excites me.

There was a different air about Ravenhill this season and the omens were good but sport seldom follows the script and three minutes into Ulster’s Heineken Cup quarter final game against Saracens, Ulster’s season came crashing down around their ankles.

Jared Payne was red-carded after going for the ball and subsequently taking Saracens fullback Alex Goode out in the air. It may have been a harsh call but the card was shown and Ulster with 14 men, would have to bring the game to Saracens. They very well nearly caused an almighty upset against the millionaires of the Aviva Premiership who in the end managed to hold on for a narrow two point victory (15-17).

“I think from an emotional and mental point of view, the Saracens game took a bit more out of us than we thought it would” said Muller who was still clearly feeling the pain of that loss.

“To be totally honest with you, we had the Monday off after that game, and on the Tuesday “I basically when I got to training I sat in my car and I basically had to force had to force myself to get out of the car and go and train. Nothing, absolutely nothing within me wanted to myself to get train. out of the car” “My last four years were building up to that game. Honestly, in my time at Ulster that was the most ready this squad has ever been. We had no injuries, not like last

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 11 FEATURE: A FOND FAREWELL TO JOHANN MULLER year where we had lots of injuries and we went into the game with five or six guys who had played no rugby, this year everything “From a mental point of fell into place. view I think the scar tissue “We had a great squad, everybody was playing, that game left behind is way everybody was fit so when the game goes that way, it just bigger than we expected” deflates you completely.

“I think from a mental point of view that’s when the true character and the true test is asked to come out.”

Ulster dusted themselves off and went out the following week putting 58 points on Connacht and none was more surprised with that performance than the skipper himself who knew how much the squad were still hurting.

“Not in a million years did I expect us to win against Connacht the way we did. I’m not joking, I didn’t expect that at all. From a mental point of view I think the scar tissue that game left behind is way bigger than we expected. I’m not looking for excuses here, from a professional point of view you’ve got to get over that and move on, looking to the next game, but it’s way more difficult doing that than just saying it.”

Johann has understandably become the father-figure in the squad who looked to him for answers when everything they had planned for and worked towards suddenly disappeared. “The young players are the Johann admits to not being able Munster prop will join Ulster, as “Plenty of guys needed an arm lucky ones, they will get another to watch the semi-final between will South African lock Franco around the shoulder, and it opportunity, they’ll play in Saracens and Clermont. Van der Merwe who joins the doesn’t matter how much you’ve another quarter final, semi-final “I text David (Humphreys) that province from the Lions on a two played this game. I needed and final and they will win, for Saturday and told him the year deal. Another South African somebody. I needed somebody me thats it. It’s done and dusted! depression just kicked in all over 25 year old Wiehahn Herbst a to tap me on the shoulder and to Maybe one day when I’m old again. It was tough, I watched tighthead prop joins from the stay positive and keep on going.” I’ll sit back and think about the the first five minutes then I Sharks where he has made 37 day we should have done this switched it off, it just opened up Super Rugby appearances. Perhaps it was knowing that this and that, so the young members all those old wounds again.” Dublin born Loosehead Ruaidhri would be his final chance that of the squad have a great Murphy hooks up with Ulster made this defeat so hard to take. opportunity to do it all again. “But in saying that, I understand from ACT at the end of Knowing it’s your swansong and Saracens played really well and the current Super Rugby season a season that promised so much “It was tough and I think that’s they deserved to win the semi- so there will be plenty of change delivered nothing in the way of where a tight group of players, final... I’m saying nothing about as old familiars such as Muller, silverware, and that would have family and friends are so the quarter final!” Court and Afoa depart the scene. hurt the former Springbok lock. important. They know when to tap you on the shoulder, tap you Ulster will undergo a makeover “Yes I’m leaving and John Afoa’s “Every single rugby player, it on the back and that keeps you over the closed season. Many leaving but there are some doesn’t matter if it’s your first going because it’s very easy to of the young-guns like prop great guys coming in, some season or your last, you want to get into that downward spiral Ricky Lutton and fullback wonderful players coming in win trophies, sometimes that and it’s important that we need Ricky Andrew have signed and the players that are staying works out and sometimes it each other and we support each fulltime professional contracts are without doubt world class. doesn’t... that’s life.” other through it. meanwhile Dave Ryan the former I know this sounds stupid and

12 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE

SIDE LINE..

Iain Henderson has been one of the exceptional young forwards to emerge from Muller’s shadows in Ulster. The Ireland lock is very mindful of the positive impact Muller has had on developing his own career. “I only came into the senior squad halfway through Johann’s Ulster career. For the first two years I was a fan and from the terrace you could see how much of an influence he was on the pitch. But it’s a completely different level, playing underneath him and knowing how much of a leadership role he actually takes on, and seeing firsthand how much he puts into the jersey.

“Not only on match nights, but off the pitch, doing his reviews, analysing other teams and even the way he speaks to the media, he is a hugely positive example to guys like myself. He has an almost off the card coaching role he coaches the lineout and does an awful lot with the forwards and bringing young kids like myself through. He has been absolutely exceptional in the experience he has passed on.

“What I should add to that is, he is such a great guy and such a gentleman. He’s brilliant to have around, a real team player who not only TOP: says goodbye plays a leadership role but he really adds to the to his skipper. social environment always looking for banter and craic and always with a smile on his face. ABOVE: Johann consoles John Johann and Ruan are alike in that they are Afoa after the game always going to lift your mood if you are feeling L-R: Brian O’Driscoll and a bit down Johann share a word after the Pro12 playoff Johann has taught me so much over the last couple of years undoubtedly he has been my Johann with the Ulster flag says farwell to Ravenhill biggest influence at Ulster. The amount he has taught me about my lineout, open-field play, , one of the breakdown work, he would regularly take me many Ulstermen who have aside and talk to me on my own about various been improved by Muller aspects of my game.” I know people don’t want to pack the stadium to the rafters Mark Anscombe on Johann Muller: hear this but if we show a bit of for every home game. He will be “He has simply been immense. The experience patience and we stick with these in good company because it is he brings, his leadership, he is passionate and guys, with the facilities we’ve got the supporters who are the ones wears his heart on his sleeve. The way he goes here and the support we have in who have appreciated his input about his work and plays, he has been immense Ulster I’ve got no doubt that the the most. for Ulster. trophy cabinet at Ulster Rugby will be overflowing in the years Johann with his two kids Anja (5) & Juann Johann has been around the world and he has to come.” (2) at the beginning of his final game in Ravenhill achieved a lot, he has been there and done it, and that is the best type of person for young “I’ll come back next year and I’ll players to learn from. The smart ones listen and sit in the stand as a supporter take on board things they learn from different and I’ll back this team 100% for people of that calibre and Johnann has passed the rest of my life.” on that knowledge and indeed the knowledge of the players he has played with, to these Muller departs these shores young Ulster players. to take over the family farm back home in Mossel Bay in the He’s pretty passionate about his lineout and he beautiful southern cape, but one puts a lot of time and work into it and that has senses that Ulster will always been important for us and our preparation in hold a special place in his heart. getting our details right and keep the set piece It’s apt that the next time we in order which has allowed us to play. see him at Ravenhill he will be sitting among the masses who

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 13 € 1500 OFWHEN TEAM€ YOU250 KIT. ORDER ENDS OFF OVER31.7.14 JUST ADD IMAGINATION Imagine playing in the unparalled quality of a Mizuno rugby strip designed just the way you want it - the only restriction is your imagination.

Experiment with some of our basic templates or contact us for a fully bespoke design.

mizuno.co.uk

Visit mizuno.co.uk and start designing now. € 1500 OFWHEN TEAM€ YOU250 KIT. ORDER ENDS OFF OVER31.7.14 JUST ADD IMAGINATION Imagine playing in the unparalled quality of a Mizuno rugby strip designed just the way you want it - the only restriction is your imagination.

Experiment with some of our basic templates or contact us for a fully bespoke design. mizuno.co.uk

Visit mizuno.co.uk and start designing now. FEATURE: DAVE FOLEY CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF

tanding six inches in that’s something I’m going to excess of the six foot emphasise and work on. Smark, towering Munster second row Dave Foley is well “You can never be too good accustomed to looking down at the breakdown and the on all matters rugby-wise from breakdown is obviously a big a lofty position. But a recently part of my role as a second row acquired hobby is giving the and that’s a part of the game you Clonmel native an altogether can’t ever stop trying to improve more elevated perspective on on playing in my position. life, three thousand feet skyward! “I think I’ve been pretty decent “I enjoy a bit of with the in those areas but I still feel I can lads in my down time, and I feel make improvements which can that doing other things away only help me to get better as a from rugby is probably going to player.” benefit my game, and I’ve had two or three flying lessons lately The company of Heineken Cup and I’m really getting into it. It’s indicated that Dave shall emerge opportunity that mentally and and winners in the a great way to switch off and as a leader within Munster ranks physically I was there, I was at Munster second row department I’ll probably pursue it and do come the post-O’Connell era. the races, I was ready to go. All has clearly proven beneficial a little more of it when I’m not “Yeah, I’d have to be happy with I needed was that opportunity for Foley, who’s absorbed concentrating on rugby.” how things went on an individual because I knew I could perform so much on-field savvy and It doesn’t take too long into a basis for me,” said Foley, who has and once I got in there and technical know how from both conversation with Dave Foley, represented Ireland at Youths, mixed among the lads, I felt very Paul O’Connell and Donncha fresh from such a productive Under-19 and Emerging level. comfortable in the games, and to O’Callaghan. season with Munster on the be honest I still feel I’m only at 60 playing front, for Emerald “I thought I improved quite a per cent of where I can be. I still “It’s obviously great playing Rugby to conclude that a bit of lot since the start of the season feel I can push things on a huge alongside Paul, and it’s greatness is already rubbing off so I’m delighted with how the amount which is good mentally something I get asked about on him. season went for me individually for me knowing that I can make quite a bit, what it’s like to play but of course we’re very big inroads next year if I’m given with him, and it’s been great to The 26-year-old Clonmel lock, disappointed with how things another opportunity.” be part of the same team with who hasn’t taken a backward went team wise not to have got him. step since his Heineken Cup any silverware. Having gone out So how does he intend to extract debut in in January, of the semi-finals in both the that additional 40 per cent? “I’ve learned a lot from Paul over was one of the first team stories Heineken Cup and the Rabo was “Well I don’t know if improving the last few years in training; I’ve of a campaign which ultimately incredibly disappointing, but for means that I necessarily have paid a lot of attention to what ended in double semi-final myself and how I’ve played, I’ve massive things to work on; it’s he’s done a lot over the last few defeat. got to be happy about starting just that there’s a few little things seasons (he joined the Academy to break into the match day I know I can tweak and sharpen ranks prior to the 2008/09 Indeed, alongside the squad and the team in turn.” up. campaign) whereas this year I’ve tremendous form shown just tended to keep a 100 per by James Cronin, it’s fair to Selection is one thing, “I think I can work on picking up cent focus on myself, on my own state that both have belied performing is another matter my intensity more around the game, watching myself on video, the lingering myth about the entirely. And after a couple of pitch, for example. You know watching where I can improve as Munster Academy system, years in which he’d asked a lot there’s times when I can get a a player. because make no mistake, it is of question of himself, during bigger physical hit on when I’m producing quality indigenous which time “tough chats” were tackling, times when I need to “And Donners is brilliant – there’s talent. had with outgoing coach Rob back myself that bit more. I think probably no Munster player Penney, Foley’s justified the faith my lineout was pretty good who trains better than him. The perspective he provided he retained in himself. during the season, defensively I He’s a massive driver within during a lively half-hour chat, did pretty well and I’d obviously the squad and I’ve learned so on top of his tremendous form “I knew that all I needed was an like to get a bit stronger when much from him as well. You’re over the past six months clearly opportunity, and once I got that it comes to ball carrying and talking about a guy who’s also 16 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 By Dermot Keyes

captained games for the Lions, who has huge Irish experience, with massive knowledge of what needs to be done at the breakdown and he’s a great player.

“It’s not just Paul in the squad that I’ve drawn benefit from, I mean we’ve two other international second rows (not forgetting of course) in the squad and that can only benefit me when it comes to developing my own game and incorporating what they do so well into how I play.”

The semi-final reversals to Toulon and Glasgow, after a season in which Munster had enjoyed such a sustained stretch of positive form, brought the Penney era to a most anti-climactic halt. “Believe me, there’s no-one more disappointed about those losses than the players,” Foley reflected.

“At the start of the year, we sat down and we stated our goals, DAVE FOLEY and top of the list was winning some silverware but we’ve failed Province: MUNSTER DOB: 16/05/1988 (Clonmel) on that front, so we need to Lock have a review and a good look “I wondered if the Position: Height: 6’ 6” (1.98m) back on what happened and 17st (108kg) why that proved the case. But all Weight: onours: Ireland Youths, the players here are incredibly man rated me, to be H Ireland Under-19 and Emerging Ireland. hungry to get their hands on Munster Academy: 2008-2010 trophies and be successful. honest” Munster Development Contract: 2010/11 R U G B Munster Senior Contract: 2011/12 Y R E T S “You just look at the last N U successful Munster team and M TM

BOX’10 JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 17 FEATURE: DAVE FOLEY CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF they’re still spoken about and home and to see The Shed full On those better days, be it campaign, as well as working rightly so, for winning the of Munster supporters – it was through grunt on the road on those elements of our game Heineken Cup twice in three pretty insane to be honest! And in Glasgow last autumn, last- that saw us come up a little short seasons, along with the Celtic for me it was a special day since minute magic in Perpignan in those semi-finals. We have League, anyone that supports it was my first Heineken Cup or that ground-shuddering to move forward now and do Munster can just roll the names as well. Both those matches rank dismissal of ‘les Toulousains’, everything we can to get our of those successful players pretty highly and it’s hard to Munster showed how well they hands on some silverware next off without giving it a second place one above the other – they can mix it. season.” thought. were both very special.” “We blooded a few more players Munster will go into 2014/15 with “Well that’s exactly what this And let’s not delve too deep into at Heineken Cup level, including a new coach and an all-Munster current group of players want melodrama here when reflecting myself and we showed glimpses backroom team, something Dave to do too, we want to give on Munster’s season. Sure, it was at times of how good we can be. Foley was clearly pumped about. the supporters something to tremendously disappointing to But firstly, what of the departing remember us by, and the best end the campaign with a vacant “Of course it was disappointing Penney and the relationship way of doing that is to win sideboard, but it’s not as if they that we didn’t show that really which the second row had with trophies. We want to set our own did ‘a Biarritz’ on it and faded off good form a little bit more, but him? high standards too, that’s our the radar entirely. we’ve got to take what we did goal.” well this season into the next “It’s got to be disappointing for

The defeat to Glasgow proved a bitterer pill to swallow than the loss in Marseille, Dave admitted. “Personally, I was more gutted after the Glasgow game, maybe it was because it was our last chance of silverware this season. The thing with Toulon is, they’ve the best players from across the world in practically every position, but of course we didn’t go out there just to stick in with them, we went out there to beat them and we were right in that game until the last few minutes.

“We’d 100 per cent belief in ourselves that we could win that game, it was never a case of us just going out there and being gutsy, we thought we had it in us to turn them over, but of course Toulon went on and beat Dave leads BJ Botha and Paul O’Connell on the charge for Munster Saracens in the final. Paul O’Connell has been an excellent mentor for Dave

“In fairness to Glasgow, they’re incredibly well coached, they’ve come on in leaps and bounds and that was probably the most physical match I’ve played in this year, and that’s great credit to them, they ended the season a transformed team from where they were at just a few months ago.”

When asked for his a standout memory of the season, Dave Foley plumped for two famous Heineken Cup victories. “The win over was one of those special days in . It was my first Heineken Cup start in Thomond Park and that was obviously incredibly special for me, but I have to say the atmosphere in Gloucester was just unbelievable.

“There we were, away from

18 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE

delighted that he got the job. I very close all the way up, and already drifting towards the think everyone in the squad is having Mick O’Driscoll back ultimate green jersey. delighted that he’s been given too is fantastic, they know this opportunity. He’s going to each other inside out and I’m “I suppose my focus has changed put his own spin on things next sure they’re looking forward to a little bit from last year when I season and I really think it’ll be working with each other as well was concentrating on using that positive to have him in charge. as working with us next season. tournament (in Georgia) as a him stepping stone to moving up the that he “And having in “Our entire coaching team next ranks with Munster and looking didn’t win as forwards coach is something season is all Irish, all Munster forward to hopefully getting a anything we’re all very excited about too. men and we’re all in this few Rabo starts. while he was Fla is Fla; he’s Munster through together. We’re a closely knit here, and I’m and through and he’ll really try club; we’ve a great bond with “While I’m not taking my eye sure that will to bring something of old back the supporters, and we know off the ball when it comes to eat him a bit into Munster and it’ll be great to our supporters, in many cases Munster, I want to go out and and us in turn have him back around the place. they’re our neighbours and play really well in front of the over the course that’s a great strength of ours, as Irish coaches. The World Cup is of the summer. “Himself and Axel have worked it is for the other Irish provinces, not far away and while I know I’ve had some I think we’re quite unique in I’d have to play incredibly well tough chats with that respect and I don’t think in these three games and follow Rob. we’ll ever lose that sense of that up with a massive season to closeness and identity with our work my way into contention for “Probably up as supporters.” a place in the squad, I’m 100 per far as last year, I cent focused on doing my best wondered if the And while the dust has just and just seeing where that takes man rated me, to be settled on the club season, me from there.” honest. That was a Dave Foley will be joining a host frustrating time for of home-grown talent in the After a season in which his career me as a player as I Emerging Ireland squad truly took flight, it appears that thought I had it in me bound for Romania, the only way is up for Dave Foley, then to make more of with his eyes a name I predict rugby fans shall an impression on the grow readily familiar with in both squad and the team. red and green over the next few seasons. “Maybe I was trying to show what I could do a little too hard, or maybe I was showing it in the wrong way, and at times myself and himself sat down and talked, and it was a frustrating time for me, it probably was for him as well. Things weren’t great, but as the season went on, he showed trust in me and ultimately he was the one who gave me a chance, he must have seen something in me he hadn’t “We know our seen up until this season, so towards the end I had a good relationship with him and I supporters, in many thought he was a good coach. But that’s finished now and I’m looking forward to working with cases they’re our .” neighbours” ‘Axel’ clearly has a big fan in Dave Foley, who clearly can’t wait to get into pre-season with the new man at the helm. “Anthony’s a Munster legend, you mention his name to anyone who knows their rugby and they’ll tell you the same. He’s a terrific coach, Dave with an excellent one a brilliant appointment handed catch during Munster lineout practice and personally I’m

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 19 FEATURE: JONO GIBBES

IT’S a good thing that the cartilage in Jono Gibbes’ left knee By Adam Redmond didn’t last a few months more. If it had then it’s hard to imagine the New Zealander leaving Ireland as a hot commodity in the coaching world.

You see, when the province’s we know today. Unfortunately, former coach, Michael Cheika, Gibbes wasn’t involved for too first got in touch with Gibbes long. in March 2008, he wanted the one-time All Black to man the “But in that team, making it and blindside of the Leinster back staying in it are two different row and not to become his things,” admits Gibbes. “The forwards coach. levels that are required to stay in that team are very high, I just Had the deal gone through then look at my time in there and the Rocky Elsom might not have transition the team went through arrived at Leinster and who during that period between knows if that first Heineken Cup 2004, 2005 under title would have been won just a and my performances weren’t year later. consistent enough to stay within that group. In that alternative reality Gibbes would likely have retired “That’s probably what makes prematurely due to injury and them such a good team, it’s while he may well have been one thing that I appreciate as given the coaching role by “In typical Cheiks fashion, we’d SWAN DIVES aren’t to this a coach. It’s one thing to make Cheika, it’s doubtful to assume spent the whole day together writer’s taste, they just don’t sit international level — that’s that the affable Kiwi would leave and then he said to me at the right in team ethos that rugby what all players are striving for, having contributed to a three- end, ‘Well where do you actually provides. Gibbes isn’t too keen especially at Leinster — but it’s pot Heineken Cup dynasty. think you’re at physically?’ and on flankers scoring drop goals that consistency of performance I said ‘I’ll be honest with you I either, despite managing one that gives you longevity and I “We said we’d keep in touch,” don’t think I can do this’ and he himself during his Super Rugby think of all the accolades that explains Gibbes, taking up the says ‘well we’ve signed Rocky days with the . He declines Brian (O’Driscoll) received when story of first contact with Cheika. Elsom anyway!’ What would you to talk about it because, well, it’s he finished with Ireland, the most “I went away and played two think of coaching?’ and that’s not what he’s about. The 37-year- telling one was that everyone games in South Africa and I knew how it worked out. old is all about the collective. said his production over 15 years that my knee was shot. I spoke “Leinster’s doctor, Arthur Tanner, has been consistently high and to Cheiks because in my mind, told me that he looked at my During the mid-2000s Gibbes that’s what’s separated him from with the soft grounds in northern medical and said to Cheiks ‘do won eight caps for New Zealand. [a guy who won] eight caps.” hemisphere, I might be okay not go anywhere near this guy’ The list of opponents between with having a break, rehabbing but when we met up he was June 2004 and July 2005 was Although Gibbes has enjoyed it, then playing in Europe, but actually doing the job interview pretty tasty, too. He tasted the plenty of success alongside the two games in South Africa for the coaching role he offered rarefied air of Test ‘footy’ against O’Driscoll in the Leinster confirmed that I was finished.” me!” England, , South Africa, environment, the quietly spoken Argentina and the Lions all while giant has at least got one over When the pair met face to face So that was that, Gibbes had wearing the black shirt and the on the Ireland centurion when in Sydney they spent six or seven retired on medical grounds in silver fern. he captained the New Zealand hours in each other’s company May 2008 and by the second Maori to victory over the Lions talking about their rugby week in July he was on the It provided Gibbes with an in 2005. philosophies and about team training paddock at Leinster. Six insight that has stuck with him dynamics, all the while Gibbes years later he leaves for Clermont since. It was early days in the Former Leinster front-row guru knew in the back of his mind he Auvergne as assistant coach Graham Henry regime that and new national scrum coach would have to admit to Cheika having been a part of the most would eventually produce the Greg Feek was alongside him in that his body could not take the successful Irish provincial set-up ruthlessly spectacular world the trenches that night too while strain. ever. All Black machine that O’Driscoll had Gordon D’Arcy

20 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE with him in midfield, but as Gibbes points out “that’s the funny thing with Brian is that it’s a highlight for me, but it’s just one of his many games at that level.”

Feek and Gibbes are just part of the talent drain which has followed Leinster’s success. Gibbes believes it was inevitable as he follows former staff such as Jason Cowman (Ireland’s strength and conditioning coach), James Allen (Ireland physio), Colin McEntee (IRFU high performance manager), Joe Schmidt (Ireland coach) out the door.

Even the players are highly sought after and Racing Metro’s capture of Johnny Sexton was as much about his talent on the field as it was about importing his knowledge of a successful culture. Because rugby is such a small global community it is hard to keep the wolves from the door when others come looking for your assets, but such is Leinster’s profile now it means it is not hard to attract new coaches and support staff.

Gibbes underlines this as we talk in one of the board rooms in the province’s new “palatial” digs in UCD which boasts much more space than the tight confines of David Lloyd Gym that used to house the playing operation.

“That’s what I liked about David Llyod Riverview, our set-up was very cramped but you had absolutely no doubt what was going on in the gym when you walked in there — that was a place of work,” he adds. “That’s the people in there that are driving it, I think that’s nice that we work in this building and it’s awesome and that’s great but I think one of the things that makes it work is the people who work in it.” Jamie Heaslip chats to Jono No doubt, he will be during Leinster training quick to underline that at

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 21 FEATURE: JONO GIBBES

Clermont when as he takes up COULD Sean O’Brien play for days is just one of the vast vault SIDE LINE.. the reigns with new head coach the All Blacks? “Absolutely,” of memories that Gibbes will Franck Azema as they prepare to says Gibbes, who has seen the hold with him during his new life COMING BACK move into their own state-of-the- Carlow flanker’s development in France. art training facility. from eye-catching prospect to JONO GIBBES is open to the dynamic back-row force who When you are a part of an the prospect of returning to has won honours with province, organisation that wins that many Ireland as a head coach after IF THERE is one element of country and even the Lions. European and domestic titles his spell at Clermont Auvergne, Gibbes’ approach to coaching “When I first arrived I wanted everyone wants a piece of you. admitting to Emerald Rugby that is worth remembering, it to know who he was because Gibbes has often been content to that the main job at Leinster had come about too early for is that the education process he was smashing everyone at hang around in the background him. between the player and the training. I said to Kurt McQuilkin but on the most hectic days coach is a two-way street. (former Leinster defence coach) when silverware is won there are The former All Black has ‘who the hell is that?’ He’s very sponsors, media and supporters left Leinster after six highly Yes, coaches are there to help physical and straight away that all clamouring to engage with successful years to take up the develop skillsets and facilitate stood out, so he was training players and coaches. The initial reigns at side Clermont players by helping them to learn with the seniors when I started, aftermath of a celebration can be to assist incoming head coach from their own experiences, but maybe he was on a development an all too fast-paced affair with Franck Azema on a two-year players also provide their own deal at the time, but he made a so many commitments to keep, deal with the option of a third. perspectives and Gibbes has good impression straight away. which is why Leinster’s third been eager to absorb as much Then you had someone like Cian Heineken Cup final win in 2012 However, both Gibbes’ as he can from everyone he Healy, I just thought ‘who is that sticks out. children were born in Ireland has worked with whether it is and he sees himself returning if the right opportunity comes a player or another coach. The “When we won the Heineken up in the future. “Well, I’m an message is that feedback is just Cup at Twickenham Dave Irish citizen now. Absolutely, I as important for teachers as it is Kearney got drug tested and we think one of the things I said for students. were waiting around in a room to Guy (Easterby, Leinster [for him] in the stadium and it manager) about why Clermont “Even with players that I’ve was just the team, that was a is such a good opportunity perhaps struggled with that they great memory because it was is because I can go away, didn’t live up to their potential, just us for two, maybe three get more experience, get a that’s a massive learning for me hours just having a few beers and different perspective, work anyway. How would I deal with that’s a special day,” he recalls. at a different club, work in a situations again in the future? In “When it’s just the guys it’s the different competition,” Gibbes the end the player has to want best part, coaches have very little said.“I think that grows you and you know I think I’d be to do it, has to be self-driven enjoyment through the day but in a position to be inline to and motivated to want to be those special little quiet times are be considered for a head better and there’s definitely quite cool.” coaching job back here in the Jono Gibbes now off to Clermont things I did in my first year that future.” just out of sheer experience six His other cherished moment years later you’d know how to do Under Gibbes’ watch as forwards came in a much more public When Joe Schmidt left Leinster differently,” continues Gibbes. coach at Leinster O’Brien, setting. It is a landmark in to take over as Ireland head , Devin Toner, Kevin Leinster history and those who coach last summer, Gibbes, But even though he accepts McLaughlin, , Richardt have come to the province from who has ambitions on that ultimately coaches rely Strauss, Jack McGrath, Martin overseas seem to hold it just as becoming a head coach, felt on the self-determination of Moore, Jordi Murphy and Rhys close as those born on home soil. the timing of the opportunity their players, Gibbes still beats Ruddock have all become Ireland “I think Croke Park [against didn’t suit his experience. himself up if a player leaves the internationals. A sterling record, Munster in 2009] is an “Absolutely, I just thought province having failed to fulfill but Gibbes is not about to take unbelievably special occasion. that when Joe left it was too his potential. any credit for that. For me, being there was soon for me here (Leinster) “You just set stuff up, it’s the such a privilege. I said to Kurt and I didn’t know enough “Absolutely. I do, because I’ve player that does it, I don’t do it. McQuilken, ‘this feels so good to to take responsibility of an played and I know some of the He’s achieved that by himself, be a part of this day’, to walk out environment, to drive it to be things that contributed to my there’s information in the at Croker and they have the red innovative, to keep managing lack of consistency were actually environment, there’s feedback and blue, for anyone who was that side of it, I felt I didn’t more in my control than my but ultimately he’s the one that there, it was a special day and have a wide enough base of coach’s control. I recognised that has to do it. One of the things I think for me, when I was a kid experience,” he added. in players and said ‘hey, look, that I like, when I started Jamie used to be you can do this you can take and Mal (O’Kelly) were the only like that. You used to go to your Gibbes was never offered ownership here’. We have 45 two Irish forwards in the Test provincial games and get 24,000 the forwards coach job with Ireland, but the 37-year-old players here and not all of them squad, there’s a cycle naturally seater stadiums packed out and would be eager to work can play, our job is to support anyway, but there’s guys who that’s what it used to be like so within in the Test if Joe players as much as we can but have gone on to international to have a provincial game played Schmidt or any other national they’ve got to take the step as and they’re mid-way through in front of 82,500 people that’s coach came knocking on well and it’s probably one of the that which is what they’ve reminded of what it was like as a his door. “I’d love to work most insightful things about worked for.” kid and it was awesome.” for an international team Leinster is that all the players because Test football is the want to do that.” Seeing O’Brien barrelling absolute pinnacle. If given the through his peers in the early opportunity in the future then that’s great but I want to make sure I’m ready to take that opportunity as well.” 22 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 PROUDLY DRIVING IRELAND’S PACK FORWARD.

3045_BE_rugby_Emerald_210x297.indd 1 11/03/2014 12:45 FEATURE: THE HEINEKEN CUP FINAL

Only three teams have managed to retain the Heineken Cup, , Leinster Rugby and now Toulon and for their skipper Jonny Wilkinson, it was a memorable occasion and one he will cherish for the rest of his days as his pride at the achievement beamed during a post match media chat. Toulon’s during the Heineken Cup final

By Manus Lappin

24 EMERALD RUGBY MAY 2014 FEATURE

In 2009 Wilkinson joined Toulon that I’ve been over supported “I’m lucky enough to have played other people give and how little from where and given way too much respect” in great teams and have been they receive back. he spent 12 years playing said Jonny after the game. around great individuals like professional rugby. He joined “I’ve been given way too much these guys here (Toulon). These “At the end of the day I do a Toulon initially on a two year of an easy life when compared are the guys who make the job that is my passion, my love contract having previously to others who have deserved difference, and yet it’s not these and I am paid well to do it, who battled fitness with shoulder, it more and haven’t had it, I’ve guys who get cheered in a game could be luckier than me, and knee and kidney injuries that saw been very aware of that. like that (HC Final) yet people go out of their way him sidelined for to cheer for you, it’s lengthy periods humbling. of his career since lifting the Rugby Toulon have built a World Cup in 2003. formidable squad of players, the best However a move talent from around to the South of the world have France seemed flocked to the up- to inject new life market resort on the into the outhalf French Riviera and maestro and he who could blame was recalled to them. the English squad Far from being an later that season. overnight sensation He toured Australia Toulon have been with England and building steadily played the 2011 over the last fifteen Six Nations before years, experiencing announcing his their fair share of set- international backs along the way. retirement in December 2011. In 2000 Toulon were This allowed him demoted to the to concentrate on ProD2 where they playing for his club, concentrated on Toulon. reversing their huge financial loss and Earlier this set about rebuilding month Wilkinson the club from the announced this bottom up. That would be his endeavour began last season as to pay off and they a professional were promoted to rugby player, so the Top14 from the the Heineken Cup ProD2 in 2005 but Final would be his were relegated the penultimate game, following season. the following week After two more Toulon beat Castres seasons in the claiming the Top14 ProD2 they earned final title and bring promotion back down the curtain into the top division on what has been of French rugby in an amazing career. 2008. The following season they narrowly Wilkinson was avoided relegation humbled by the but they finished reception he strongly and secured received while 9th place, above the exiting the Cardiff relegation zone. stage with two minutes left We sometimes on the clock. A have this notion of standing ovation French Rugby where from all sections wealthy owners of the crowd, the “I try to keep my feet as much as “There have been too many continually pump neutrals, Saracens and Toulon I can on the ground, not because people who have given too their personal wealth into the support equally mindful of the it’s any strength on my behalf much to me in my life, and I club which operates at a huge man’s contribution to the game but because I realise someone is know if I sat down and thought financial loss, and whereas this we love. going to work out quite quickly about it, emotionally it would be is true of some, it certainly is not “I’ve made no secret of the fact I’m a bit of a fraud! quite difficult to take how much true of Toulon who are one of JUNE 2012 EMERALD RUGBY 25 FEATURE: THE HEINEKEN CUP FINAL

cost of supporting your team on the road is prohibitive for many supporters who bring home an average working salary.

This huge personal commitment from people like Martini and Isobella is not lost on the Toulon players. The 69 times capped Springbok flanker told me after the game that he was overwhelmed by the support his team received. “The noise and atmosphere created by the supporters was incredible. It seemed like every neutral in the crowd the few self sufficient clubs who was cheering us on. We owe a regularly turn a profit at the end huge debt of gratitude to our of the season. travelling support who drive us on throughout the season.” Support has never been lacking for Rugby in Toulon, a reported Toulon captain Jonny Wilkinson 30,000 turned out to welcome who left the field to rapturous the team back home in 1931 applause, was quick to pay after winning their first French tribute to his team-mates and championship and that kind of those who have supported him support has been key to their throughout his career modern day success. “I couldn’t have asked for more effort from the team the way During their ProD2 seasons they the guys pulled together, the really captured the hearts and individual contributions that minds of the Toulonnais (locals) were made across the board was averaging home gates of 12,000 phenomenal. which is quite remarkable when you consider they were playing “I was off the field for the last two Division 2 rugby. Even more minutes and when you stand and remarkable was the fact that in Tickets for a Toulon home game Toulon play in he is in the look at what the guys are getting 2006 while playing in the ProD2 are like gold-dust and the 15,400 crowd, but he explains, far from up to it was amazing. For this they signed the best centre in seated stadium has a permanent common misconception it’s not team, it’s a great reward for what , All Black skipper ‘sold out’ sign on the gate. that supporters ‘dont care’ about has been a long journey who arrived in Toulon take their bigger games away games, finances are the October 2006. to nearby Allianz Riviera stadium overriding factor in determining “The journey that’s taken us to in Nice and the Stade Vélodrome which games he attends. here from the beginning of the New President Mourad Boudjellal in Marseille where they regularly Martini explains it is simply too season hasn’t been a straight agreed to pay Umaga’s €300,000 sell upwards of 30,000 tickets expensive to support a French forward beautiful curve that gets salary from his own pocket. for Top 14 and Heineken Cup team on the road, the travel costs better and better. We’ve had He went on to sign Australian games. Toulon have become and time taken to travel to and tough times we’ve had games veteran George Gregan, All undoubtedly one of the biggest from away games is phenomenal. where we haven’t been perfect Black top points scorer Andrew clubs in World Rugby who over Martini is very familiar with and hasn’t gone well and we’ve Mehrtens and of course English a decade ago were rebuilt from Ireland, and says he is envious of had to dig in, every team has 2003 World Cup winner Jonny the ground up through active our small country and the short that. Wilkinson. engagement with the local distances our teams travel in the community and using sound Pro12, Italy being the obvious “When you get to the quarter Boudjellal personally financed business principles... Success was exception. finals, semi-finals and finals some of the early high profile sure to follow. there’s a lot of luck in the draw. signings, but it wasn’t long Isobella is another season ticket We had a home quarter final before the club were generating Speaking to some of the 7000 holder, and although she lives and we came up with a good enough money to sustain these strong Toulon support who close to Toulon, she tells me that performance but there is a lot players and add to the roster of made the trip to the Heineken her family must save all year just there. You look at Munster, highly decorated players. Cup final in Cardiff, I got an so that they can attend two away Leinster you look at Ulster and interesting insight into the games and they tend to choose Saracens of course, Toulouse, Their support base at home in French club supporters rational. the two big finals. In addition Clermont... there are all these the Stade Félix Mayol is best to Toulon home games, Isobel other teams who could be up described as fanatical where Martini (like the drink as he attends both Heineken Cup and there as well, so it’s always going opposition players must walk the explains) is a life-long Toulon Top 14 finals regardless of who is to be such a competitive area. gauntlet of home support to gain supporter. He is a Toulon season in them, and is understandably entry into the ground creating ticket holder but he lives in Paris delighted that for the last two “I think if you can be like a an electric atmosphere to say the although he still has a house years, Toulon has been in both Munster or a Leinster, and keep least. in Toulon. Obviously when finals. But Isobella also says the finding yourself there or there 26 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 abouts, that’s as good as you can ask for. That’s why I say it’s such a privilege to have won it (Heineken Cup) twice in a row because that doesn’t happen much and for a French team to be able to do it, we’re super proud but we don’t take that for granted.”

Toulon have become a formidable presence in French and therefore European Rugby. Their huge support base has provided them with the funds to construct a truly global club team.

Just as nobody dared question the commitment of , or Johann Muller for Munster, Leinster and Ulster, the current crop of Toulon marquee players may not be French by birth, they are as committed as they come to the Toulon cause.

Some of Toulon’s South African players L-R , , Juan Smith, , Johann Van Niekerk, & Michael Claassens

JUNE 2012 EMERALD RUGBY 27 FEATURE: REFLECTIONS...

ith my job at The Kings Arriving just before the start In addition the squad most interesting. Firstly, the done, I was able to of the competitive season composition (I played no role in Italians are now part and parcel Wtake up the challenge presented some huge difficulties the recruitment of the squad) of the competition which is of rebuilding Rugby as I had to put in all our systems was such that we had an excess absolutely critical as all 6 Nations and it was thus that I returned to whilst in competition, something of players in some positions teams must be represented at the Northern Hemisphere in late which I have never done before. I and a dearth in others. I was domestic professional level. August of last year. called it “a pre-season in season”. able to address this by bringing In addition, Wales are now in some players and loaning represented by their Regional secures the lineout against Leinster out others. The only thing that teams and are far, far stronger I could do little about was the than they were when I was last poor conditioning of the players here. The Irish Provinces have which came back to haunt us gone from strength to strength in the last phase of the season. and Leinster, Munster and Ulster What compounded matters was are now the powerhouses of the strength of the competitions Europe. in which we were involved. , sadly, are now reduced My arrival in Ulster in 2001 to 2 districts with the Borders coincided with the start of falling by the wayside for the old Celtic League. Prior financial reasons. Whilst Glasgow to this there had never been has been flourishing, Edinburgh a professional domestic has struggled for some time and, competition in this neck of the as stated, requires rebuilding. woods. At that point Wales All in all though the level of had no regions and their clubs competition has gone through participated in the league, the roof since I was last here. whilst Ireland and Scotland were represented by their Provinces What has added grist to the and Districts respectively. mill is the fact that with the changes in the Heineken Cup, As may be expected the it is only the top 6 teams (I say standard of the competition was the top 6 as the Italians are not very high. However, during guaranteed 7th spot) which make my three year tenure at Ulster it the cut for the new premier went from strength to strength European competition. This and by the time I left I felt that only came into existence during the Celtic Nations had secured the course of this year’s Pro 12. for themselves a substantive Next year it will be there from domestic competition which was the beginning and will add real invaluable for their growth and spice to the competition. There development. will be no easy games and it will be interesting to see how the Returning to what is now The National bodies respond to the Rabo Direct Pro 12 has been question of player availability. One would hope that the playing Edinburgh counter the Leinster maul fields will be more or less level in this regard. What is clear though is that one will have to have a well-balanced squad that is capable of competing even when it is shorn of its International players.

The Heineken Cup was already a well-established competition when I first arrived in Ulster. It has though become more and more significant with the passing of time and is now one of the top competitions in the global game. There is great interest in the competition in the Southern Hemisphere and this is not simply because there are so many Southern Hemisphere players on display. Certainly in South Africa, it is keenly viewed. As with the Pro12, the standard

28 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE of competition has grown in Europe, winning 3 out of 6 exponentially since I was last matches and in the process here. beating Munster, Gloucester (away) and Perpignan. Apart The Heineken Cup is a brilliant from the semi-finals reached competition and the key to it is 2 years ago this was our best the fact that the pools change performance in Europe for some year on year which means that time. it retains its freshness both from a player and spectator What I have found on my return perspective. I would still like to is that Northern Hemisphere see it played in a block with the competitive rugby is in rude pools constructed in such a way health and that one has to be as to give more pool games and on top of one’s game to be a clearer and fairer outcome in successful. Long may that be the determining the playoff spots. case. Having 6 pools to determine 8 playoff spots simply does not make sense; 4 pools would be far better and would immediately create more pool matches. It would have been a tragedy had matters not been sorted out as everyone aspires to play in Europe’s top competition. The fact is that we have a resolution and it’s now a bun fight to see who makes it; great for both players and spectators alike.

Like all other teams we at Edinburgh aspire to play at top level in Europe. As may be expected, we struggled in the opening 6 weeks of competition (having a pre-season in season is no joke), but after that we made good progress and were in contention for a top 6 spot coming into the last phase of the season. Unfortunately for us though we had 2 matches postponed because of inclement weather and so in the last part of the season we had to play 8 back to back matches with 5 of them on the road, including 2 trips to Italy, and the last 3 against the top 3 teams in the competition.

To have all that and then to have to finish with Glasgow (away), Munster and Leinster (away) is not easy. Our poor conditioning and injuries took their toll in the last 5 weeks and we really struggled. That said we gave a good account of ourselves in both the Glasgow and Leinster matches, going down narrowly 37-34 and 15-13 respectively. We finished 8th which is the best we have done for the past By 4 seasons. Next year we will be Alan Solomons moving heaven and earth to sit at Europe’s top table.

We acquitted ourselves well

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 29 LEINSTER RUGBY 2014 LEINSTER RUGBY 2014 Champions FEATURE: BRISTOL RUGBY REBORN

By Sean Holley Bristol Assistant Coach www.seanholley.co.uk

As a Welsh rugby man who worked for Gloucester for three years there has always been a healthy and noticeable respect for those English clubs close to the border signified by the Severn Bridge. Gloucester, Bath and even Exeter and Worcester in recent times have turned the eye of the Welsh supporter and also the player as big names have crossed that bridge to play for one or more of these healthy English powerhouses. But the closest and one of the oldest of the clubs not yet mentioned are my new employers… Bristol Rugby.

Former Leinsterman Jack O’Connell will join (inset) and a host of other stars at Bristol next season

32 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 RUGBY TOURS 2015 SIX NATIONS

ITALY v IRELAND Rome Sat 07th Feb

Bristol Football Club was for fresh and dare I say cheap formed in 1888 when the talent. from €569 pp ambitious Carlton Club invited its rival clubs Redland Park The end of this season will see and Westbury Park to join in a dozen or more players step WALES v IRELAND forming a representative city up to the higher league after team. The word rugby is a very being scouted and snapped Cardiff Sat 14th Mar recent addition to the name. up. The most notable ones of Bristol Rugby is celebrating late have been England backs 125 years this season and it has Luther Burrell and from €479 pp been celebrating that in the – stars of the last Six Nations English Championship division, – who recently played in the where they have languished Championship along with the since their relegation from the likes of Harlequins hooker Dave SCOTLAND v IRELAND English elite in 2009. Ward and Northampton No. 8 Sam Dickinson, formerly of I was tempted to the club by and Rotherham Edinburgh Sat 21st Mar former England World Cup respectively. winning coach and the Chairman Chris Booy. The vision at Bristol Rugby is from €399 pp Bristol is a city that houses in borne of Lansdown’s desire excess of 1.5 million people. to entrench Bristol as a city of There are many rugby-playing sporting prowess. He is also the RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 schools and there is still a owner of Bristol City Football strong Combination of clubs Club, who at the unfortunate Packages Now on sale! steeped in history. The vision expense of Bristol Rovers FC, that Andy and Chris portrayed relegated out of the Football to me at the time was pretty League this season, now has a (Guaranted Official Tickets) undeniable. Together with new chance to establish themselves owner Steve Lansdown, the as the principal football club Packages incl. Flights/ Hotels/ Match Tickets/ Transfers etc. billionaire financier, they are in the City and climb back hell bent on putting Bristol as a towards the Championship (Flight only also available) sporting city back on the map. and ultimately the Premier League. Lansdown also owns a All details available on But it’s not as easy as you team, the Women’s might think. The English Football Academy and a www.clubtravel.ie Championship is a difficult Motor Racing team as well as (Tax and Insurance extra) league. The teams are largely the rugby and the umbrella semi professional but they organization ‘Bristol Sport’ contain many fine players and has been established as a new Club Travel Sports coaches and they are not easy brand. (http://www.bristol- sides to beat, especially in their sport.com). Bristol means 30 Lr Abbey St own back yards where some business! But what does that Dublin 1 of the facilities are less than mean for the rugby club? desirable. Premiership clubs Tel: 01 6080030 now actively scour this league The English Championship E-mail: Robbie@ clubtravel.ie (Fully Licensed and bonded) FEATURE: BRISTOL RUGBY REBORN FEATURE is unforgiving due to the Internationals and overseas in convoluted way teams have to go your squad to even compete at about getting promoted. Bristol the top of the Celtic League and have finished top of the league the Pools of the European Cup. at the end of the regular season 3 times in the last 5 seasons. In Andy and I are in the process 2 previous they have failed at of developing that squad as the Play Off stage. This year we well as the back room staff. finished top of the League 8 New coaches, conditioning and points clear of 2nd placed London support staff arrive this Summer. Welsh and some 16 points clear Some key signings have already of 4th placed Rotherham. The been made with International promotion rules dictate a play players who have already bought off where by 1st plays 4th in a into the vision – even before any two-legged aggregate score promotion or not. This tells you semi final. The winners then play the weight of momentum and a two-legged aggregate score potential that is at Bristol. Final. Wales’ most capped ever captain As I write this, the reader should Ryan Jones has made the know that I am sat in my Hotel move. from Sale, room awaiting the first leg of the sought after Samoan prop the Play Off Final at the Kassam Anthony Perenise from Bath Stadium in Oxford where Bristol and the diminutive and exciting will play London Welsh. By the Matthew Morgan from the time you read this the outcome have all made the move. will have been established. I can Hooker Chris Brooker comes in only hope we have made it to the with 2 young Leinster players Premiership! in the form of Darren Hudson and Jack O’Connell also signing Whatever the outcome this year Adrian Jarvis in action for Bristol up. Add to this experienced it will be a question of ‘When’ wing David Lemi and probably and not ‘If’. We have set out to the signing of the Super Rugby ‘Embrace Change’ at Bristol season in Hurricanes’ Rugby. This is just one of the and the already useful squad core values we have established Final at the Memorial Ground, starts taking serious shape. in a change of mindset and Bristol. This will be the last game philosophy at the club. ever there; a ground first played The highly rated Scarlets on by Bristol Rugby in 1921 forwards coach and former Wales For years Bristol has been and an emotional night is in Under 20s Head Coach Danny know as a set piece and kicking prospect. But the misguided talk Wilson – a Bristol boy – starts in orientated team. Andy and I of Bristol being a sleeping giant June and if promotion is won wanted to set out to play an has lasted too long and we have there will be a few more signings exciting brand of rugby in both set out to bring the expectation in the mix too. attack and defence. Another core out into the open, embrace it value is ‘Go Forward and Own It’. and ‘Work Together To Achieve’. Often you can get shot down The reader can interpret that as and be an easy target for having he wishes but for us it can mean That includes the supporters. ambition. We are experiencing many things. We want to develop They are certainly doing their that at the moment. The funding leaders, people who make bit at the moment. A huge part afforded by Steve Lansdown sound and bold decisions and of the cultural shift will be in continues to be the discussion judgments. the move from the Memorial point with Bristol inevitably Darren Hudson another former Ground the home of Bristol branded as the big spenders. At Bristol you will often see the Leinsterman making the move to City – Ashton Gate. Planning I suppose you take that sort team turn down three points on Bristol this summer has been approved to refurbish of thing as a compliment or offer and go for the corner or without its painful times. At the stadium into a new 27,000 aspersions of envy I guess, but a tap penalty instead. We want Bristol this has been a learning seater. The demand is there in whatever, Bristol has a true to dominate possession and curve but the team is improving Bristol. The last Bristol Rugby man of rugby and one of great territory and to score tries. In the all of the time and will get even match to be played at Ashton integrity in Andy Robinson to regular season we have averaged better. Gate in 2006 against West steer the ship. 5 tries per game scoring a Country rivals Bath in the record number of points and There is a tremendous amount Premiership attracted a then Promotion or not it will not accumulating 21 bonus points of emphasis placed on building record 21,000 plus attendance. be for the lack of trying or in 23 matches. Defensively there the right culture at rugby preparation. If not this year then have been improvements as I organisations these days. The Finally to compete with the next, or the next and it will be introduced an Osprey-style blitz shift at Bristol has been needed best you have to have a decent for a sustainable future. Mark defence. Many readers will be on and off the pitch. The support squad. I learned from my time at my words, Bristol are coming, aware of how good the Ospreys base is truly amazing. 12,000 the Ospreys that you have to get with force and application and defence became over time tickets sold out 2 weeks in the balance of local, developed the world of rugby will be better but this system does not come advance for the 2nd Leg Play Off players along with high quality for it. 34 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 Bring home the goodness.

www.irwinsbakery.com

36355 Irwins A4 Press Ad.indd 1 28/08/2013 14:16 FEATURE: PICKING PLAYERS

By Bernard Jackman New Ulster signing

Ulsters Tommy Bowe

reland will continue their and also mental fatigue will be faced with a side mainly with Jarod Payne becoming journey under Joe Schmidt be taken into account when made up of players playing Irish qualified in time for the with a two test tour of the decision was made leave domestically in Argentina November internationals every Argentina in June and them out. Interestingly Johnny and predominantly semi pro. game missed is important. But Ithere has been some eyebrows Sexton is selected to travel and Traditionally a June tour in for others like James Cronin, raised about the make-up of extend his season by a month Argentina was incredibly hard Robbie Diack, Rob Herring, our squad with certain Senior given Racing finished on the to win as the Argentineans Damien Varley and Kieran players left out like Cian Healy, 16th of May. played all their top players who Marmion their performances Gordan D’Arcy, Tommy Bowe, had just finished their club could make or break their and Sean O’Brien left out yet In November there was lots if seasons in France. Now the 4 World Cup hopes. others Like Paul O’Connell, media speculation that he was Nations Rugby Championship and Johnny being over-played in France but is their main focus and the With RWC comes new Sexton included. again this shows that science Argentinean Union have opportunity and long term planning are decided to only ask their What we are seeing here is the used to assist every decision European based players to The World Cup won’t be just Ireland management making and the key is to continue the play in the June tests or the 4 occupying the Irish Coaches decisions on an individual squads development under Nations in order to pacify the mind next season. Because of basis with each player using this group of coaches but also clubs (mainly the French Clubs) the fact that Irish Rugby is very the benefit of Sports Science have one eye on the Rugby who pay their wages 12 months much geared towards ensuring data and medical records going World Cup which is only just of the year. that the Irish team is successful, back over the last few seasons. over a year away now. our 4 Provincial Directors of ’s withdrawal Rugby and CEOs will have Even though players like What to expect in is unfortunate as it would to plan for how they will be Tommy Bowe and Sean O Brien Argentina have presented him a great affected by the Player Welfare have had injuries this season opportunity to lay down his Program and also for the 2015- their overall injury profiles In Argentina Ireland will for the 13 jersey and 16 when they will be missing

36 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 New Leinster signing Kane Douglas Leinsters Cian Healy

their Internationals for the start that may use this as an World cups and how that will I know that some of the of the season. The repatriation opportunity to get back into affect their recruitment and French clubs, frustrated with of Ian Humphreys from London the Irish system. succession planning. the quantity and quality of Irish to Ulster was probably the players available for next influenced in some part by Apart from the option of Interestingly I’ve found that season have decided to keep the World Cup as its likely that recruiting from abroad, the more players are starting to those funds available for the Ulster will be missing Paddy first port of call for Provincial work their careers around World Cup season instead. The Jackson and Ruan Pienar. coaches will be to look World Cup cycles and while other issue that could arise is at the depth of their own it isn’t as prevalent in the will Irish players out of contract With strict rules on the number squads and in particular their Irish games as the Southern be targeted? of foreign players allowed Academies and certain players Hemisphere; yet it influences in each province, World Cup development maybe need to the Provincial coaches thinking Can you get them to commit season may see more ‘Wild be fast tracked to cover for because post World Cup there now to long term deals and Geese’ brought back into the a player absents. The most will be a host of Southern how will that affect your Irish system having proven obvious example is at Leinster Hemisphere talent available budget and the cash flow, themselves with foreign teams where at this moment in time who want to come North. given you may have to give in similar way to the likes of they would lose 4 props to them a longer duration than Humphreys (/ the World Cup squad in Healy, Leinster were able to pull you originally planned to Ulster), Copeland (Cardiff/ McGrath, Ross and Moore. Bent off a coup by signing Kane compete with the fact that Munster) Sean McCarthy and Furlong are next in line Douglas as there aren’t many the Aviva Premiership teams (Jersey/Leinster) and O’Leary but you need two solid options players on the market at this are allowed sign one Marque (/Connacht) have on the bench and then more moment who are willing to give signing who is exempt from the been signed this summer. behind that for injury cover. up the opportunity to play a salary cap and the vast budgets There are a lot of Irish players World Cup for a lucrative club of some of the Top 14 Clubs! playing in the Championship Coaches and CEO’s also will be contract. and Premiership in particular looking at retirements post

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 37 FEATURE: HEINEKEN KINSALE 7’s

The ‘Wooden Spoons’ Men and Women Scoop 2014 Heineken Kinsale 7s

Kinsale, Co Cork, Ireland: The ‘Wooden Spoon Despite the ‘soft’ weather, a blast and allows Kinsale showcase Marauders’ won the coveted Mens Elite Trophy in of 86 teams’ Technicolor rugby its heritage and gourmet jerseys set the scene for the 2014 reputation. the 2014 Heineken Kinsale 7s, scooping €10,000. Heineken Kinsale Rugby 7s, this They beat the Wild Geese, last year’s winners with a May Bank Holiday Weekend. Some Kinsale 7s Stats: convincing score of 30-0. Over 8,000 players, spectators and people of Kinsale enjoyed  Over 200 matches over 2 two days of competitive rugby days The Heineken Kinsale 7s is the longest as well as fun and festivities that running Club organised tournament Kinsale always attracts.  3,000 minutes of fast in Europe with a prize fund of running 7s rugby €30,000. Overall prize winners Featuring elite and club included: players from Norway, Germany,  €30,000 prize fund Luxembourg the UK and Mens Elite The Wooden Spoon Maruaders throughout Ireland, the 2014  10,000 people expected in Mens Open The Lightening Bolts Heineken Kinsale 7s celebrates Kinsale Mens Social The Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies 2 the spirit of a top-class rugby tournament with a great Pat Maher Heineken’s Event Women’s Elite/Open The Wooden Spoons atmosphere. and Sponsorship Manager Wmoen’s Social The Lady Rogues said; “Heineken, alongside our The Heineken Kinsale 7s business partners in Kinsale and generates a massive boost to surrounding areas, are delighted the local economy at the start with our long association with of the tourist season and is this fantastic event. Recent staffed entirely by volunteers. successes on the playing fields Heineken It is a hugely important event have rugby awareness and for Kinsale town and district affinity at a very high level. This

38 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE

In the Men’s Open Competition, The The Wooden Spoons a UK children’s Lightning Bolts narrowly beat The Crusaders charity team won the Women’s Competition in an exciting final that finished 10-10, winning for the second year in a row, victorious over the trophy for a consecutive year. The ‘Bolts, the Adler 7s from Germany in a closely fought from Dublin ran in the first try after the final contest 15-12. Adler 7s are made up primarily of whistle, winning the match, much to the members of the US forces residing in Germany. delight of their supporters and ‘water boy’ Irish golfer Shane Lowry who enjoyed touring with the team again this year.

Men’s Open winners - The Crusaders

The Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies 2 deservedly won the Mens Social Competition, beating the Ruckaroos 12-10. This was quite a enjoyment will encourage many people to come poignant victory as the team were remembering to Kinsale to witness another form of the game at their team mate Alan Feeley who died of a brain its highest level. We wish Kinsale RFC continued haemorrhage last year. Alan had toured with the success planning and presenting another ‘Rubber Duckies’ for the past two years. www. successful tournament over the May Bank Holiday alanfeeley.com is their site that is dedicated to Weekend.” Live Life Give Life – a campaign promoting organ donation and healthy living. For the sixth year, Kukri is the official event wear Munster players , Peter for the Kinsale 7s having just signed a new three O’Mahony & Conor Murray pop along for year deal. the day

Other partners include Pride Passion Party; Hayes Caravan Services, Kinsale Town Council and EMC. Charity partners this year include Kinsale Youth Support Services Project (KYSS) and the Wooden Spoon Children’s Charity of Rugby.

The Heineken Kinsale 7s had over 150,000 facebook friends during the weekend, demonstrating the vast network the event connects. For Results and updates, visit ABOVE: Burgundy Barbarians LEFT: Smurfs from Kildare www.kinsale7s.com of follow us on facebook and twitter @kinsale7s. JUNE 2012 EMERALD RUGBY 39 FEATURE: RABO DIRECT PRO 12

By Kate Rowan

Bye-bye Rabo: What is there not enthusiasm? Star power. Scenes from the early days of the to love about the RaboDirect such as these after Leinster Celtic League to the Magners PRO12? home games are replicated at League to its present form as From growing the provincial Thomond Park, Ravenhill and the RaboDirect PRO12 and into game in Ireland to leading the the Sportsground. The big the future under a new title way in how fans and sponsors attraction for fans is to get as sponsor from next season, the get the most out of the close as they can to their heroes; competition has always been competition international rugby stars such as and will continue to be an Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, extremely accessible means of Match after match, season after Andrew Trimble, Rory Best, Brian seeing world class international season, the cheers stay the O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney and rugby talent up close. same. As journalists dash to type Jamie Heaslip. and file copy in the RDS media From an Irish perspective, this room, whoops and hollers of The bulk of these star gazing has been key to the growth of delight can always be heard sessions come at the tail end rugby here since the turn of the wafting in from outside post of RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures. millennium. match. Of Leinster’s 16 home matches during this 2013/14 season, 14 Rewind back to the early years A passageway at the back of were played at the RDS, with of the noughties, despite the the Anglesea Stand is where the hosting the huge interest generated by Six the adoration, autograph Heineken Cup pool fixture in Nations fixtures, there was often hunting and selfie taking with December against Northampton still a feeling that rugby certainly rugby stars occur. The crowd Saints and March’s Celtic League outside of , was mainly a is diverse. Many of the fans are derby against Munster. middle class sport. youngsters, there are plenty of accompanying parents but there Of the remaining 14 games With the emergence of a young are also always more than a few played at home, just two were golden generation and the couples that appear to be on Heineken Cup matches, the rest increasing commercialisation date nights, boys’ nights, girls’ including the play-off against of the sport as professionalism nights, even the occasional stag Ulster and final against Glasgow started to kick in, interest or hen. Overall, though, it is a Warriors were part of the battle beyond just the national side family atmosphere. for RaboDirect PRO12 glory. started to grow.

What draws this continual In its various incarnations The fact that no Irish city hosted

40 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE

Former Leinstermen Isa Nacewa, Joe Schmidt and Jonny Sexton with the 2013 RaboDirect PRO12 trophy regular Champions League early years of the Celtic League, in football’s top flight. Being blunt, another reason why football meant that there was a there was still that old-fashioned Irish fans have taken so well to huge void to be filled in terms of amateur era sense of connection The lack of a Celtic club soccer the competition has been the bringing something a little more to rugby players that would have competition however has been success of the Irish provinces. It cosmopolitan to the domestic also appealed to the GAA mind Irish rugby’s gain. During the is not just the seven victorious sports scene. set. regular season of the RaboDirect seasons out of the competition’s PRO12, there are usually two first twelve for Irish sides, In terms of the Irish psyche Much has been written recently, home fixtures per week for the Leinster and Munster both rugby seemed to be a good fit. particularly with the changes Irish provinces giving plenty of winning three times and Ulster Naturally people want to see in European club rugby opportunity for both seasoned once but also looking at success their own homegrown stars competition about the Irish love and newer fans to watch in terms of popularity (THIS compete on an international affair with the Heineken Cup Connacht, Leinster, Munster and CAN BE CHANGED DEPENDING stage. So, despite how deeply but the importance of the Celtic Ulster. ON THE OUTCOME BETWEEN rooted Gaelic games are for League, Magners League and LEINSTER VERSUS GLASGOW many, there was, and continues latterly the RaboDirect PRO12 The fact that ticket prices WARRIORS). to be that huge thirst for a more in terms of spreading the love are generally lower and with outward view. for the interprovincial sides has more home matches than the When the move to this new been massive. Heineken Cup, the RaboDirect professional league was being Yet, it is also only natural PRO12 is more accessible. How made, the structure and the to want to feel infinity and Imagine if a similar type of games are played in Galway, concept of the four provinces closeness to your sports stars. competition existed in soccer, Dublin, Limerick, Cork and did not just fit in terms of This was certainly an aspect pitting the top Irish, Welsh Belfast also gives a geographic working in a competition format, where GAA stars trumped their and Scottish club sides against edge of advantage over also putting the provinces on soccer counterparts. With the each other week in week out international encounters. centre stage felt like an organic majority of Ireland’s football with a guaranteed place for the progression. internationals plying their trade winners at Europe’s top table? Relative ease of obtaining tickets across the Irish Sea, there is a Interest would be huge. for RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures Whereas the creation of the feeling of detachment from means that it is the first live Welsh regions has an almost players, that most people do Look at how Ospreys professional rugby many Irish forced or synthetic feel. Munster not have the opportunity to see attendances started to dwindle people taste. A particular draw famously beat the All Blacks in playing live for their clubs. once Swansea City made it to of the match day atmosphere for 1978 and the province continues the Premier League. There was all four provinces is the sense of to thrive today. It was Newport As professionalism was only still a similar situation for Cardiff a family occasion. RFC that beat the All Blacks in in its infancy with rugby, in the Blues during Cardiff City’s stint 1963 and it was not until 40

JUNE 2012 EMERALD RUGBY 41 FEATURE: RABO PRO DIRECT 12 FEATURE years later that the amalgamated region Newport Gwent Williams as RaboDirect PRO12 came into existence. Ambassadors helps to reinforce the competition’s importance as This season has been another a means of bringing players on strong one for the Irish provinces. to international standard. The Leinster, Munster and Ulster concept helps on a commercial filled three of the four play-off level but it also helps to positions. Despite, stuttering in emphasise the value of the their final fixtures of the season, PRO12. Connacht showed promise with their four match-winning streak The fact that RaboDirect is in the PRO12 in February and a savings bank fits well with March. encouraging young fans and Brian O’Driscoll poses for a selfie with a young Leinster supporter also encouraging players to be The one long standing their best, the whole notion of criticism of the competition building for the future sits well over a number of seasons, had with this. been the perceived lack of competitiveness compared to This idea of creating a link England’s Aviva Premiership or between the corporate the Top 14 in France in terms sponsor and the identity of the of qualification for European competition has been a strong competition. point in the RaboDirect years. In its inaugural season a very happy However, with the establishment coincidence helped to spread from next season on of the RaboDirect’s message as “the European Rugby Champions Straight Talking Savings Bank.” Cup and qualification for it being based by league standings alone, RaboDirect PRO12, Heineken the quality of PRO12 should only Cup and international rugby continue to grow and with that refereeing stalwart its continued popularity. became a YouTube sensation Michael Heaney perfectly framed by RaboDirect sponsorship when he told-off Benetton Another change is in store Treviso scrumhalf Tobias Botes for PRO12 rugby with the Another complaint some and coaches. One of the most with the now infamous “this is commencement of the traditionalists may have about recent Q&A forums has been not soccer” put down. 2014/15 season will be the the changing nature of rugby is with former Leinster fan favourite announcement of a new title how an increased gap is growing and 2013 RaboDirect PRO12 This piece of “straight talking” sponsor with the departure of between the players and fans. winner Isa Nacewa. was welcomed by RaboDirect RaboDirect. The RaboDirect PRO12 years Another scheme that has given PRO12 and at the 2011/12 end of season awards, Owens received a RaboDirect is an arm of the have been paralleled by the fans an inside view to life, as a special “Straight Talking” award, Dutch RaboBank. RaboDirect Twitter revolution. The days RaboDirect PRO12 player has a clever way of meshing both the operates as an online savings may be gone where fans could been the RaboDirect PRO12 values of the sponsor and the bank in Ireland, with over easily share a pint with a rugby Master Classes. This was a competition. 90,000 customers. The financial international post-match or a competition, where young fans institution has proven to be chat over the water cooler back won the chance of a behind the As we close this current chapter a highly effective sponsor. As in the days when rugby players scenes experience at the club of Celtic Rugby and PRO12 RaboDirect is run completely had day jobs. Now one of the they support with a stadium history by bidding adieu to online, the company has huge most common ways players tour, a talk and insight from the RaboDirect and welcoming both expertise on online technologies connect with fans and vice versa likes of the team nutritionist on a new title sponsor and a new and social media. This aspect is via social media. building a healthy lifestyle, with European competition next of their knowledge has hugely the highlight being a training season, one thing that will not helped grow the online presence RaboDirect as title sponsors of session with a player, the club’s change will be the strong Irish of the RaboDirect PRO12. the PRO12 have played a huge RaboDirectPRO12 Ambassador. role in further facilitating this interest and participation. Some may grumble about the online dialogue and connection Each club has a designated increasingly commercialised between clubs and their Ambassador, this season nature of professional rugby but supporters. One initiative has Leinster’s was Jordi Murphy, that is part and parcel of sport been the @RaboInsider Twitter Munster’s was Dave today. Even the amateur GAA account which provides fans Kilcoyne, Ulster’s has gotten on the corperate with an inside view of all the was Craig Gilroy sponsorship act with global competition’s action. and Connacht’s insurance giant AIG (who also representative was Brett have a sponsorship deal with the A part of this online interaction Wilkinson. All Blacks) acting as a sponsor to that has proved to be extremely the Dublin and popular has been question and Having players such as teams. answer sessions involving players these or Scarlets Liam 42 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014

REGULAR: RUGBY WORLD CUP

STATS

Hosts 1987 - 2019 1987 New Zealand & Australia. 1991 North Hemisphere - 5 Ireland Must Nations hosts, 1995 South Africa, 1999 - same as 1991 - 5 Nations Northern Hemisphere. 2003 Australia. , 2007 France, 2011 New Zealand, 2015 England, 2019 Japan (North Hemisphere?) Win RWC BidBy Frank Quinn Possible Hosts 2023 – 2027 2023 – South Africa (Under With the 2015 Rugby World Cup getting ready for kickoff in bidders for 2015 & 2019) are due England next year, Frank Quinn looks at Ireland’s bid to host the to hold the RWC in Southern biggest tournament in the Rugby calendar, and explores our most Hemisphere with Australia as runner up - RWC 2027 – In likely chances of submitting a winning bid. Northern Hemisphere and Ireland’s best chance.

Potential GAA stadia Croke Park Dublin, Gaelic Park Limerick, Cork- Pairc ui Caoimh, Pearse Stadium Galway, Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney, Casement Park Belfast.

Rugby Stadia Aviva Stadium Dublin, Ravenhill Belfast, RDS Dublin, Thomond Park Limerick.

Ministers from the North & South pictured after the initial discussions into hosting RWC

44 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE

was made six years out from the preliminary discussions with of both semi-finals and final and events so if the IRB retains the the Gaelic Athletic Association for the Ireland games. Maximum same schedule, decisions on the in relation to the availability capacities would be required for 2023 and the 2027 editions would of GAA grounds as part of a the knockout stages when the be made in 2016/2017. This would possible Irish bid to host the real tournament begins for the work quite well from an Irish 2023 Rugby World Cup. final eight left standing. perspective as it would give us ample time to build towards the The IRFU fully understands and Planning event. We would require buy-in respects this process and looks from both governments on the forward to the GAA’s response It may be a long way away to Island who have already indicated in due course, while also 2027 and in the turbulent world their willingness to engage. acknowledging that any bid we live in - nothing is forever but would be heavily dependent on this is something the Island of What’s it worth? support from the Government Ireland can, and must achieve and the GAA. for the next generation over a The RWC 2003 was in Australia (net decade away. surplus £64.3m), 2007 in France The number of stadia that The IRB tend to appoint RWC (net surplus 122.4m), 2011 in New would be required for the It is up to us now to accept hosts well in advance to give Zealand (net surplus £90m), 2015 tournament has not yet been this challenge for the next ample time for promoting and in England and 2019 in Japan. decided, but a key element will generation, to leave them with marketing the events. The IRB be to establish the number of the possibility of seeing some invited tenders for hosting the “The commercial success of RWC locations and venues available of the best professional rugby 2015 and 2019 Rugby World is an important element in the before a feasibility study is players on the planet at that time Cup tournaments back in 2009. progression of our Game and undertaken to determine performing in Ireland. The two England and Japan submitted means that developing Rugby Ireland’s overall capacity to host Governments will have to stick their bid and in July 2009 they markets be considered for the the tournament”. to the plan and see it through; were announced as host nations. tournament to both reflect similarly the IRFU will need

and assist the Game’s strategic IRFU Chief Executive Philip to look at this venture as the England, Italy, Japan and South vision and evolution”, said an IRB Browne said, “The Rugby greatest episode/achievement Africa formally submitted statement World Cup in New Zealand in the sport’s 153 years history detailed tenders for Rugby showed what a country of four (President of the IRFU 1874-1876 World Cup 2015, while all with The asking guarantee price from million people could achieve - Duke of Abercorn). It will put the exception of England, who the IRB/RWC Ltd for the last bids in in terms of attracting visitors the sport on the right path for confirmed their intention to bid 2009 was originally £150 million, and showcasing the potential the following 153 years. The army for the 2019 tournament. The those were pre-recession days and of a country, so an overall of volunteers needed will be South African the asking price has since been Ireland bid is something that there to secure the venture, we delivered it’s bid to host either dropped to £100 million (€125m the government was keen to have never failed in this area. the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World euro) after the financial crashes discuss with us”. Cup. in 2008. The guarantee has to With a stable economy, our come from the Government of the “I think everybody is aware of infrastructure will have As with all voting procedures, tendering country/countries. the benefits from both a social progressed - Luas’s, Darts, Trains, the IRB allocation system is not and economic perspective that Buses, Roads, Park and Ride without its fair share of politics. It was estimated that 133,000 fans would come from hosting the will be the norm. All the NAMA South Africa will be clear travelled to New Zealand in 2011 third largest sporting event hotels will be up and running favourite to host in 2023 which and the NZ economy was boosted on the globe. We are at the with full staff, the guest houses means Ireland would probably by £260m (€325m). If I conclude early stages of examining the will be offering professional look to 2027 as a realistic option. that it includes VAT @ 21%, then feasibility of a bid and part services; the restaurants will be South Africa were under bidders the government take could of this study is to determine geared up. I hope all the services for the previous two editions be £55m (€68m) and that is in the interest and support of will be provided at the standard in 2015 and 2019. Also due addition to the boost to everyone Government and other relevant prices obtaining at the time. The consideration must be given to in the Hotel /transport/catering/ bodies.” population will be full of hope, the fact that the SANZAR unions tourism business. the unemployment figure will will want to bring the RWC back The GAA subsequently be manageable at a healthy to their territory and this falls in announced that they were It is also anticipated that because 8% all over the island and the with the IRB policy to share the receptive to the idea, and it is being held in the Northern population, with returning exiles competition around the globe. will make the required stadia Hemisphere hosted by one of the will be eight million people. Six Nations countries, an estimated available so another piece of The ‘secret’ to securing a RWC 200,000+ would visit the Island of the jigsaw fell into place. In 2027, Brian O’Driscoll and bid lies in understanding voting Ireland for the six week, 48 match Paul O’Connell be 48, Joe patterns at the IRB Council The Two Governments event. Schmidt approaching 60, Meeting. If Ireland were to vote should have no difficulty in Robbie Henshaw (21) and Stuart in favour of South Africa hosting guaranteeing the +€100m to IRFU bid for 2023 – Olding (21) will be 34. The new the 2023 RWC this would almost the IRB considering it gave a (or 2027 RWC.) generation of professional rugby certainly guarantee a reciprocal guarantee of est.+€5/6m to the players will have picked up the South African vote in favour three day GiroD’Italia on the The IRFU released the following baton. We will have won a couple of Ireland hosting the event in island in 2014 statement on Saturday 18th August of Grand Slams, European Cups 2027, although nothing would be 2012. and have reached the final of the guaranteed. To maximise the revenues RWC. The Aviva Stadium will be “The Irish - Croke Park (83,000) is the almost 20 years old! The 2009/2015 announcement has confirmed that it has had obvious venue for a minimum

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 45 REGULAR: CLUB AND SCHOOL NOTES

+ School

LURGAN LADS TOUR to LEICESTER

Last month Lurgan Rugby similar size of membership and a Tourists would not be committed On the 31st minute Belgrave Club’s senior section completed vibrant section. to a hard and fast game of rugby counter rucked and stole a successful tour to the Bill Walter is a previous member this notion was quickly dispelled Lurgan’s ball. The Belgrave back heartland of English rugby in of Belgrave RFC before joining Lurgan’s Touring Team rows combined well with their Leicester. Lurgan RFC as a playing member. centre pairings who managed to The large touring party, Bill was kind enough to arrange First Half put their number 10 in close to a mixture of youth and this fixture and to also provide Lurgan’s statement of intent the posts. The try was converted experience and were joined by significant prizes for a raffle was clearly made at the second by the same player and Lurgan a number of players who have carried out by the Club as fund scrum when Belgrave were were 7 points down. previously played for Lurgan raisers for the tour. pushed back a full 20 metres. who are now working or living Belgrave RFC have just won their This dominance in the pack This appeared to be a wake up in England and Scotland. league two weeks previous so through this element of the call to Lurgan who then started were in high spirits and eagerly game was to be maintained committing more players to It was great to see these past anticipating Lurgan’s arrival. throughout the match. the breakdown which closed players such as Alex Weatherall, The line outs were evenly off Belgraves opportunities for Alistair Gough, Simon Whittaker Unfortunately Belgrave were contested with each side having counter rucking and stealing ball. and Adam Ferman. unable to field an over 35’s team to be content at securing it’s own Lurgan almost crossed the line at the last moment so it was ball. The two teams were evenly three times in the last 9 minutes With the original plan being decided to use rolling subs to matched with Belgrave maybe of the first half with Stephen for two matches Lurgan’s past ensure that everyone in Lurgan’s shading it with their counter Nolan, Paul Heasley and Chris players had also brought a large touring party got a game. rucking. Walmsley all going close. couple of their current clubs Lurgan’s last senior rugby tour players down with them. was several years ago to Sweden Lurgan were in no mood to Half Time - The score was 7 – These were James Wheldon, which was organised by another compromise with Jack Wilson, 0 at half time such was the Kevin Greathead and Mark past player of the Club, David Paul Heasley and Andi Stevenson competitive of the match Fitzsimmons who all play for Taylor. putting in a number of big hits. Mellish RFC in Nottingham. The referee was starting to Second Half The team hosting Lurgan were The weather forecast had not interpret Lurgan’s counter Lurgan rotated their squad at Belgrave Rugby Club who were been good but for once the rucking as illegal and this ended half time and brought on some founded in 1883 which is only 3 forecast was completely wrong with young Andi Stevenson, fresh legs. years after Lurgan Rugby Club with the entire few days totally playing at full back being sin Alex Weatherall and Alistair was founded. The similarities did bathed in strong sunshine. binned for 10 minutes for killing Gough made an immediate not end there as they also have a If Belgrave thought that the the ball. impact in the loose and in the

46 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 REGULAR

ROCK LADIES KIT OUT KENYAN SCHOOLGIRLS

forward play and James Weldon win of 12 – 7 was excellent in the line outs and There were so many positives to around every inch of the park. be taken from this performance and indeed from the tour in it’s Lurgan got a scrum on the 63rd totality. First tour in several years, minute inside the Belgrave 22. a great response and a great =Blackrock Ladies Rugby team The pupils immediately started Lurgan pushed Belgrave for amount of players went on the were delighted to donate 2 sets playing rugby, gleefully trying around 5 metres towards their tour, all of the players who wore of playing jerseys to St. Patrick’s out the kit and oval shaped ball line. Dylan Gill picked the ball up the jersey did the club proud on secondary school in Makunga, for the first time in their lives. from the base of the scrum and and off the pitch. near Kitale in Kenya. Team The students finished their first fed Paul Heasley. Stephen Nolan manager Liz Comerford met rugby season in 10th position looped around seeing the move Belgrave were great hosts with Fr. Willie Walsh and Paula out of 24 teams in their division. was on and went in for what and provided a meal and Cullen, mother of Leo and Owen By all accounts, there is some raw Lurgan believed to be a try. The entertainment after the match Cullen members of Blackrock’s rugby talent in St. Patrick’s. celebrations were short lived as and were even gracious enough 1st team, when Fr. Walsh was the referee would not award the to allow Lurgan to have their back home on holiday to Ireland. Their love of sport has been try and brought the play back “Court Session” in their club encouraged by Father Willie for Belgrave’s collapsing of the house. Paula does a lot of charity Walshe, A St Patrick’s missionary scrum. work for the Kiltegan fathers, priest from Donard in west Andy Macky, Club Captain helping with donations and has Wicklow. Father Walshe has The scrum was reset and again presented Belgrave’s President raised a considerable amount spent his entire missionary Lurgan’s destructive power was with a Lurgan Club Plaque and of money for the development career in Kenya where, in unleashed. club ties. of the school and the girls in addition to helping build schools Again Dylan Gill playing at scrum New friends were made, old St. Patrick’s were delighted to for the poor, he has sponsored half picked up the ball and with bonds reinforced and the club receive the kit. hundreds of students in second some slick handling from the is looking forward to a bright level education. backs led to Pete Robinson future. Belgrave have asked to be Paula Cullen is the brainchild of crashing over from 5 metres out. facilitated by Lurgan in a forth “Boots for Kenya” - an initiative Travellers on the road from coming reciprocal tour. to collect all the Leinster players’ Nairobi to Sudan often notice It was game back on as Stephen boots or runners they no longer strange names on school Nolan converted the try to bring It is a well known fact that a club need and donate them to the buildings near Kitale in Western the score level at 7 – 7. and teams that play together, pupils of St. Patrick’s School. The Kenya. These names are most Both teams lifted the pace for the stay together and win together. demand to support the un-African and for many of last 15 minutes with both sides This will be Lurgan’s mantra initiative resulted in Paula and the travellers are very difficult going close on a few occasions. going forward. her husband Frank embarking to pronounce. Names like on a trip to Kenya armed with Glendalough, Glenmalure, The score was still tied on 80 So successful was the tour that several kit-bags full of unwanted Wicklow, Donard, Glen of Imaal, minutes but the ball was not a Touring Committee will be gear. The school opened in 2010 Leinster, Stranahely and Slaney dead. Belgrave used decoy formed in the coming weeks to with a single classroom and just don’t flow easily off many of the runners to good effect and take on a more exotic destination three pupils. They continued local tongues. Now the girls have switched the play to finish for next years tour....rumour has fundraising, this time for a new Blackrock College RFC on their scoring in the corner. The it that Prague is on the radar. rugby pitch with athletics track jerseys, just another name the conversation was missed and the around the side. local Kenyans will need to get final score ended with a Belgrave their tongues around!

Portadown man Caleb Montgomery making big impact in NZ Portadown RFC U19 player Caleb Montgomery has spent the last few months playing his rugby in New Zealand Mahurangi RFC. Portadown RFC sponsored the young lock to go to New Zealand where he was initially expected to get experience with Mahurangi RFC’s U19, however the club were so impressed with the Irishman that they quickly promoted him to their Premier Team competing in the North Harbour competition. Montgomery will return to Ireland in time for Portadown’s opening games of the Ulster Qualifying league.

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 47 FEATURE: RABO PRO 12 NEWS

Awards 2014

Dan Biggar (Ospreys) won the youth development after jointly ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ claiming the ‘SpecSavers Fair Award and (Glasgow Play Award’ for having the Warriors) the ‘Young Player fewest yellow and red cards and of the Year’ Award at the citings over the 22 games. RaboDirect PRO12 Awards evening in the Lyceum Theatre, Rob Penney (Munster) won the Edinburgh tonight (Sunday, 11 ‘Coach of the Year’ award after May). steering Munster into the Play- Offs again. His side put together had already been a record number of wins during named in the RaboDirect PRO12 the campaign and finished in 3rd Dream Team for the season last place overall to secure an away week and scooped the ‘Players’ tie to face at Player of the Year’ award for his Scotstoun next Friday. outstanding contribution to the Ospreys season. Leinster legends and Brian O’Driscoll both received Voted for by the 12 RaboDirect (in absentia) the ‘Chairman’s PRO12 Captains and Award’ in recognition of their Ambassadors, the Ospreys out outstanding service to their half beat Glasgow Warriors’ province, their country, the Nikola Matawalu and Ulster’s tournament as a whole and the to the title in an game of rugby union. incredibly tight vote. He follows in the footsteps of Tommy Bowe Connacht took over from (Ospreys), Ruan Piennar (Ulster Scarlets as winners of the ‘Rhino Rugby), (Edinburgh Collision Kings’ title after a Rugby) and Nick Williams panel of experts assessed their (Ulster Rugby) in picking up the efficiency at the breakdown and (Leinster), 3 – CHAIRMAN’S AWARD - prestigious award. tackling, (Scarlets), 4 – Johann Muller Leo Cullen and Brian O’Driscoll (Ulster) CAPTAIN, 5 – Alun- (both Leinster Rugby) Jonny Gray picked up the Young Munster No. 10 JJ Hanrahan (Ospreys), 6 – Rhys RHINO GOLDEN BOOT - Player of the Year title after not scooped the Rhino Golden Boot Ruddock (Leinster), 7 – Jordi JJ Hanrahan () only breaking into and starting Award with 87.30% (55 kicks out Murphy (Leinster), 8 – Robin RHINO COLLISION KINGS - in the Glasgow side, but also into of 63) with outhalf Copeland (Cardiff Blues) Connacht the Scottish national team. Gareth Davies coming a close SPECSAVERS FAIRPLAY He beat Leinster centre Noel second with 86.96%. AWARD - Ulster and Connacht - Reid to the title and follows RABODIRECT PRO12 Shared in the footsteps of Tim Visser RaboDirect PRO12 Dream Team TRY OF THE SEASON - Tommy (), Toby Faletau 2013/14: 15 - Liam Williams AWARD WINNERS Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) (Newport Gwent Dragons), Stuart (Scarlets), 14 – Jeff Hassler 2013/14 Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) and (Ospreys), 13 – Former Ulsterman (Ulster Rugby) as (Munster), 12 – Alex Dunbar PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE the RaboDirect PRO12 ‹Young (Glasgow Warriors), 11 – Andrew SEASON - Dan Biggar (Ospreys) signs for Edinburgh Player of the Year›. Trimble (Ulster), 10 – Dan Biggar YOUNG PLAYER OF THE (Ospreys), 9 - Gareth Davies SEASON - Jonny Gray (Glasgow Edinburgh Rugby’s preparations It was a good night for Connacht (Scarlets), 1 – Warriors) for the 2014/15 season continued and Ulster, as they share a (Munster), 2 – Sean Cronin COACH OF THE SEASON - Rob today with the announcement £10,000 cheque to put towards Penney (Munster Rugby) that experienced Worcester 48 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 FEATURE

Warriors prop John Andress has [Andress] is well known to me professional contract, after RaboDirect PRO12 finalists. He signed a two year-deal to 2016. from my time in Ulster when he spending the last season at was part of the Warriors squad was young boy playing under-20 Scotstoun as a Scottish Rugby which won the the Melrose 7s The imposing, 6ft 2in, 18st 3lb rugby. He came through the Elite Development player. last month. tighthead has started 41 of his age-grades in Ireland and then, 66 Premiership appearances for in my opinion, did the right thing 33-year-old Lamont re-joined the Rory Hughes said: “I’ve learnt a lot Harlequins and the Warriors, after in signing for Exeter who were Warriors in 2012, having played this season and I’m really happy cutting his teeth in three seasons playing in the Championship. for the club between 2003 and to be staying at the club. This is for then Championship side 2005. The former Northampton a big opportunity for me and I’m Exeter. “After a couple of successful years Saints and Scarlets back, who can determined to make the most there he joined Harlequins and play on the wing or at centre, has of it.” The former Ulsterman was an Worcester in the Premiership, made 68 appearances and has academy player, age-grade and which means he comes to scored 120 points for the club Scarlets boost front row A-internationalist during the us with a lot of tight-head over his two spells in Glasgow. tenure of now Edinburgh Rugby experience earned in the two He has gone on to win 86 caps options head coach Alan Solomons, with very competitive divisions. for Scotland over the last 10 years the chance to team up with the and has scored 60 points for his Scarlets can today announce South African key to his decision “He is an outstanding country. the addition of two props to to move north. scrummager, but is also good the squad for the forthcoming around the field. I think he Sean Lamont said: “It was season which will bolster the Andress said: “I’m really excited will bring a lot to this club. We fantastic to be able to come pack and add more depth to the about joining Edinburgh Rugby. need depth in that tighthead back to Glasgow in 2012 and I’m squad at . It’s a fantastic rugby club in a position, and he’ll give us a lot of delighted to be staying here for great city. I’ve just had a young experience in that role.” at least another two years. I’m The West Wales region is boy so I’m looking forward to now one of the oldest players delighted to announce that Peter bringing him up in the city, with Glasgow wingers pen new deal at the club, but I feel good and Edwards and Wyn Jones have a club with such a great history. Scottish wingers Sean Lamont I want to continue to play at both signed new contracts to I know how good a coach Alan and Rory Hughes have agreed the highest level for as long as join the Scarlets for the 2014-15 Solomons is and what he brings new deals with Glasgow Warriors. possible. season and going forward and to the table so I’m delighted to Scotland international Lamont will complement the already get a chance to work under his has signed a new two-year deal, 21-year-old Hughes made his strong front row which includes guidance again. which will keep him at Scotstoun debut for the club in the win Wales internationals Samson Lee, until at least the summer of 2016. over Connacht at Scotstoun in Rhodri Jones, and Edinburgh Rugby head coach February and has gone on to Emyr Phillips and up and coming Alan Solomons, added: “John Hughes has signed a one-year make three appearances for the loosehead .

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 49 NEWS: ULSTER ULSTER NEWS

Humphreys played for Ulster at Under 21 level as well as representing Ireland at Under 19 and Under 21 level before Humphreys moving the Premiership to join Leicester Tigers. Following three seasons at Welford Road he returned to Ravenhill Makes Ulster in 2008 and made 110 appearances for Ulster scoring 617 points.

Return Speaking about his decision to return to Ravenhill, Humphreys said: “I have Ian Humphreys will return to loved my time at London Irish but when Ulster Rugby in the summer the unexpected opportunity to come having signed a two-year home arose, it was a very easy decision to make. My wife and I are very much contract with the province. family people and we enjoy being in . The 32 year-old left Ravenhill in the summer of 2012 and “It is exciting to be coming back to moved to London Irish where Ulster, to be part of a squad that is challenging in Europe and that is at the he has made 38 appearances, top of the RaboDirect PRO12 every year. scoring 212 points. As well as a strong team, Ravenhill has been transformed since I left two years ago. Everyone in the Premiership has heard about it and seen pictures of the new facilities. It is just phenomenal how good the new stadium is.

“I am realistic. I know that is one of the best young players in calls it a day Ireland, but I am competitive. It is up to

Ulster’s all-time appearance record holder, Paddy Wallace, has confirmed that he will retire me to push him and hopefully that will at the end of this season. bring out the best in both of us.”

Wallace, who has played 189 times for his Province made his debut for Ulster in the 2001/02 David Humphreys, Director of Rugby season. The ex-Campbell College pupil began his career at fullback and outhalf but in recent at Ulster, added: “With more than 60 years moved to inside-centre where he excelled for both his Province and his country. The 34 appearances in the Premiership and over year-old won 30 caps for Ireland, the highlight of which was winning the Grand Slam in 2009. 100 caps for Ulster, Ian brings significant experience to our squad in the highly He was part of the Ulster team that won the in 2003 and the Ulster squad that important position of outhalf. won the Magners League in 2006. He played 54 matches in the Heineken Cup, the last of which was against Castres last season in Ulster’s first win on French soil in the competition. “He has learned a great deal in the past He scored seven tries in the European competition, 101 points in total and played in the two seasons working with coaches like Heineken Cup final in 2012. Brian Smith and Shaun Edwards and that knowledge can only benefit the young In the past 18 months his game-time for Ulster has been restricted due to injury. He played players we have coming through. his last game for his Province, against , in December 2013. “With Paddy Jackson playing an Speaking about his decision to retire, Wallace said: “I have been happy to call Ulster my increasingly important role with Ireland, home for all my life and to play at the one Province for a whole career is something that is Ian gives us another option at outhalf, really special. Professional rugby is all I have known for the past 14 years. I am going to miss something which is highly important playing at Ravenhill, the fans and everything involved with being a rugby player. if the team is going to be successful in the future. I am delighted that he has “However, I have lots of fond memories. I have had a great career and I wouldn’t change rejoined Ulster.” anything for the world.”

50 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 PROVINCIAL NEWS ULSTER NEWS

TRIMble a treble winner at UR Awards Andrew Trimble was a triple winner at the Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards Dinner.

The Ulster and Ireland winger collected the become an important member of the Ireland squad. Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year Award as well as being named Ulster Rugby Writers Player Ex Bangor Grammar School pupil, Stuart McCloskey, was named Hughes of the Year and Ulster Rugby Supporters Club Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy Player of the Season, after making his (URSC) Player of the Year. breakthrough for the senior team this season. As the judges said, he is a big player with a big future. Trimble’s excellent 12 months was recalled at the awards ceremony, which was held at the Europa Ballynahinch RFC were named Kukri Club of the Year for the Hotel in central Belfast. second year running, reflecting the consistency that the club has maintained at all levels. Andrew Trimble has had a remarkable season – both for Ulster and for Ireland. He has always Michael Black was named Winemark Referee of the Year and was described as been a fantastic performer but this year has a credit to his province and to the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees. raised his game to another, stellar level. Jemma Jackson was awarded the Errigle Womens Player of the Year prize Ulster Captain, Johann Muller, who will retire and Ballymena’s Adrian Hamilton was given the Ken Goodall Award for the from rugby at the end of this season was named Outstanding Club Player of the Year. Heineken Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year. The Dorrington B Faulkner Award, which goes each year to a person who is The citation paid tribute to the South African’s deemed to have given exceptional service to rugby in Ulster, was presented to outstanding contribution to Ulster Rugby: Cecil Watson.

He is an adopted Ulsterman, a commanding A former player at Malone, he served as President of the IRFU Ulster presence who quickly learned what it meant Branch and the IRFU Committee. In recent years he was Chairman of the to wear the red hand and who became as Redevelopment Committee at Ulster Rugby. His vision, hard work and passionate about bringing success to the dedication have been central to the successful delivery of the Ravenhill province as any longstanding supporter. Stadium project.

Ulster and Ireland outhalf, Paddy Jackson was , from Wallace High School was named Danske Bank Schools named BT Young Player of the Year, after a Player of the Season, while Adam McBurney, from Randalstown RFC, was season that has seen him excel for Ulster and presented with the Ulster Carpets Youth Player of the Season award.

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 51 NEWS: CONNACHT

connacht sign all black legend

some achievement but what’s incredible about Mils is the passion and professionalism he brings whenever he plays and I know he will bring that in the Connacht jersey. At the age of 33, he still has that hunger to play competitive rugby and before his surgery last month, he showed his quality and ability to keep playing at the top level in Super Rugby. It’s exciting to announce that we’ll have him on our team next season.

“One of our main priorities as we began recruitment for next season was to bring in a quality, experienced back to help nurture and mentor our young Irish qualified backs on and off the field. With the Rugby World Cup only a year away we also wanted someone who could help prepare and guide Connacht’s current international Robbie Henshaw. Mils’ playing experience and knowledge as a fullback, centre and wing who has played in three Rugby World Cups including winning one, will be massive for Robbie and all our backs.”

“I’ve known Mils for some time now and as well as the wealth of knowledge and experience he will bring to the team, he is first and foremost a great team man and a leader who will contribute enormously to our Connacht culture and help move us closer to our Connacht Rugby has captured a major overseas signing for the vision.” 2014/15 season. Mils Muliaina has signed a one-year IRFU contract to become the first ever All Black to play with the Irish province at the Speaking from New Zealand, Muliaina added: “This is an exciting Sportsground. time for me, making the move to Connacht Rugby. I’ve obviously had a good chat with some of the boys at the club - Nathan (White) Samoan-born Muliaina, who is currently in his second stint with and Clarkey - and they’ve told me a good bit about the place. But the Waikato based Chiefs, will link up with Head Coach Pat Lam I’ve learnt a lot about what to expect from my discussions with Pat whom he played under at Auckland from 2004 -2005 and with the (Lam). Myself and Pat have a very good working relationship. As well Asia Pacific Barbarians in 2012. The 33-year-old has been signed as as Auckland, he coached the AP Barbarians team in June 2012 and a player-mentor where his invaluable experience will assist in the I think the fact that I was still in decent shape after all those years development of the young Irish talent at the club. surprised him.

The New Zealand fullback became the second All Black (after Richie “I have a good understanding about my role and what is expected of McCaw) to reach 100 caps when he ran out against Argentina in the me at Connacht. I’ve heard a lot about the talented young backs at quarter final of the , eight years after his 2003 the club - guys like Robbie Henshaw - and I’m keen to help anywhere test debut against England. Muliaina was forced off at half time with I can, both on and off the field. Being able to play some competitive a fractured shoulder that led to his retirement from international football while also sharing my knowledge and helping Connacht to rugby but he did go on to claim his gold medal after the All Blacks achieve their vision played a big part in my decision to move. I expect won the trophy, beating France 8 - 7 in the final. to learn a good bit from these young guys too and that’s exciting.

His Super Rugby playing career includes spells at Auckland Blues “Moving to the other side of the world is a challenge but one that and the Chiefs, where he returned this year after two seasons I’m really looking forward to. My experiences of playing in Ireland playing in Japan. Having played six games for the defending Super have been memorable and the one thing that stands out to me is the XV champions this year, the veteran back has opted to undergo people. They are passionate people who really love their rugby. I’ve surgery on a niggling elbow injury and is in line to return to match been to Dublin and Limerick with the All Blacks and from what I hear fitness prior to his arrival in Galway. about Galway, it’s one of the best cities in Ireland. I can’t wait to get over there. Right now I’m fully focused on my recovery and getting Commenting on the historic signing, Head Coach Pat Lam said: “I myself ready to hit the ground running when I arrive in Ireland.” don’t think I need to point out how huge it is to have Mils Muliaina as our first All Black coming to represent Connacht. The second Mils Muliaina is expected to arrive in Galway at the conclusion of the ever All Black and the first ever back to reach 100 test matches is Super Rugby season.

52 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 PROVINCIAL NEWS

Swift &Fifita commit to connacht Veteran lock Michael Swift and as long as possible. I’m excited flanker Mata Fifita have both about finishing off this current signed contract extensions with season on a high and being Connacht Rugby and the IRFU part of another Connacht that will see them play another squad going forward.” year at the Sportsground. Porter & O’Leary Also playing at the The longest serving player for Sportsground next season Connacht, Swift has chalked will be backrow forward Mata up an impressive 262 caps for Fifita. This will be the third join Connacht the Irish club and also holds Connacht season for the Connacht Rugby have added talented young backs Ian Porter and Shane the Celtic League record with 25-year-old Tongan who was O’Leary to their squad for next season, with the duo signing two-year and 180 appearances. This will be picked straight from AIL club his fifteenth season with the one-year deals respectively with the province and the IRFU. side Sligo RFC in 2011. province. 26-year-old scrumhalf Ian Porter joins from Ulster Rugby where he has Despite some season- At the end of last season, he was been a part of the professional set up for three seasons. Progressing disrupting injuries, Fifita has presented with the RaboDirect through the Ulster Academy, the Banbridge native went on to represent played fifteen games for PRO12 Chairman›s Award in Ireland at Under-20 level where he was the designated goal-kicker, Connacht, including three recognition of his outstanding landing a memorable last minute penalty to win the match against Italy Heineken Cup appearances, service to both his province and at the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship. and also had a significant the tournament as a whole. As involvement with the Eagles› one of three club captains for Over the last few seasons, Porter has proven himself at senior level with side in both season›s British & 2013 /14, the 6›5», 120kg second 11 PRO12 appearances under his belt, his speed of service and accuracy Irish Cup. row shows no sign of slowing of pass being key features of his game. Known for his tactical kicking, down, playing in 16 PRO12 and 5 Porter has also developed his place kicking abilities and combines this Fifita came to Sligo at the Heineken Cup games this season. with his organisational abilities at the breakdown. This season he started beginning of the 2008 season in the Number 9 jersey against Glasgow Warriors and Connacht Rugby at when he played in the back Commenting on his club captain, row. He was soon tried in the the Sportsground. Head Coach Pat Lam said: “Swifty centre - a transition he made continues to defy the years and with ease. With Connacht last 21-year-old Shane O’Leary, who was born in Cork and raised in Co. Clare, prove himself as a true Connacht season, the versatile player signed with FC Grenoble’s Academy last summer straight from AIL side man. His work ethic, passion was brought on from the Young Munster. The centre/outhalf was quick to make his mark at the and commitment to Connacht bench to cover the back row French club this season, earning his first senior appearance in the Amlin Rugby is inspirational to the where he continues to show Challenge Cup against in October 2013. He went on to play four management, players, sponsors his strength and power today. more games in the European competition, including a start at outside and supporters. When myself and centre against Amlin semi-finalists London Wasps. Dan (McFarland) sat down with Outgoing Players 2013/14: him recently, it was evident how Brett Wilkinson (retired), Before joining the growing Irish contingent in the Rhône-Alpes region, much he wants this contract. He , Frank Murphy, O›Leary spent the early part of last summer representing Canada, whom is still so hungry to play and we Eoin Griffin (London Irish), he is qualified to play for through his mother›s roots in New Brunswick, know that he will continue to Paul O’Donohoe, , in the IRB Junior World Trophy in Chile. The top points scorer in the push hard in training and fight Kyle Tonetti (retired), Aaron international competition, O›Leary helped Canada to the final where they for a place while also leading the Conneely, Brian Murphy, Dave were beaten by Italy U20›s. Grenoble Coach Bernard Jackman describes squad. Swifty is, and always will Nolan, James Rael. the young back as «a very talented rugby player. He integrated incredibly be, a fantastic ambassador for this club.” well here at FCG this season and proved that he has a bright future. He Incoming Players will be missed here but we wish him all the best with Connacht.» (confirmed) 2014/15: Swift added: “I’m delighted to , , have another year of rugby with Commenting on the latest player signings, Head Coach Pat Lam said: Conor Finn, Connacht to look forward to. “It’s fantastic to have two more, young, Irish-qualified backs on board for (all Academy graduates), Ian Every year there are progressive next season. Both Ian and Shane will be valuable additions to the squad. Porter (Ulster), Shane O’Leary changes happening at the club. I Having someone like Shane who can play 13, 12 or 10 is a huge asset. (FC Grenoble) Mils Muliaina think there is something special Both himself and Ian have goal-kicking abilities and this is something we (Chiefs) Bundee Aki (Chiefs), happening here at the moment looked at when recruiting for the season ahead.” Tom McCartney (Blues). so I just want to be part of it for

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 53 NEWS: MUNSTER

R U G BY ER T S N U

M

BOX’10 TM

Smith joins Munster from FOLEY CONFIRMS BACKROOM Brumbies Australian centre Andrew Smith will join the Munster Rugby TEAM squad for season 2014/15 on a A member of the Munster Rugby one-year contract. academy board for the past year Walsh most recently assisted the The 29-year-old is currently PBC Senior Cup team and Con involved with Super 15 side U20s. From his club coaching the AC Brumbies where former days he has been instrumental Munster Forwards Coach Laurie in developing some of Munster’s Fisher is the Director of Rugby. current squad with Simon Zebo, Peter O’Mahony, Duncan Williams, Hailing from Sydney and a and former member of the Waratahs all benefiting from his tutelage. Academy system, Smith has 43 Super Rugby caps after making The promoted Ian Costello, his debut against the Blues in working with the Munster Rugby 2010. squad since 2011, has also held roles at Munster U20, A and The centre featured against academy level. A former Director the British and Irish Lions last of Rugby of UL Bohemians RFC summer when the Brumbies were the only provincial side to Munster Rugby can today confirm the backroom the Limerick based coach assisted Foley with the defeat them. staff that will join Head Coach Anthony Foley Munster U20s and Munster A’s before assuming

and Team Manager Niall O’Donovan at the start the role of Munster A Head Coach in 2011 and Looking ahead to the move of season 2014/15. leading the side to a title. He Smith said, “I’m really looking has been credited for aiding the skill development forward to joining Munster Next season will see a full provincial coaching of Munster’s current rising stars. and making the most of the panel in place with former Munster centre Brian opportunity. Laurie Fisher has Walsh joining the province as Assistant Coach, Former Munster and Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery always spoken highly about the with responsibility for attack and backs, while returns to the fold after retiring from the game team and culture. It’s definitely Skills Coach Ian Costello has been promoted to in March 2012. Life after rugby saw the Grand somewhere I want to go and Assistant Coach, with responsibility for defence Slam winning player complete a Masters in Sports make an impact, working closely and kicking. Performance at the before with the boys and training joining Premiership outfit Arsenal in 2013 for work hard. I’ve no doubt it will be a Head Coach Foley and Mick O’Driscoll, placement as strength and conditioning coach. great experience and I can’t wait announced as Technical Advisor in April, will be With 94 Munster caps and 41 Ireland caps to his to get stuck in.” reunited with former colleague Jerry Flannery name the Limerick-man will also work closely with

as he completes the coaching ticket as Scrum the academy and provincial age-grade squads. On confirming the signing Coach. Munster Rugby CEO Garrett On confirming the backroom staff Munster Rugby Fitzgerald said, “We look forward The new coaching team will commence their CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said, “We have spent the last to welcoming Andrew when roles on July 1st after signing two-year contracts few months carrying out an extensive recruitment he arrives at the end of his that will see them remain with the province until process and believe we have chosen the right Super 15 commitments with at least June 2016. candidates to take Munster forward. the Brumbies. We are delighted

to have secured the services of The incoming Assistant Coach Brian Walsh has “We have a unique situation here; in not only a player of his calibre for next over 10 years of coaching experience. As the appointing all Irish coaches, we are extremely season.” Head Coach of he enjoyed a proud to appoint coaches that have learned their

wealth of success over eight seasons, securing 2 trade within the province. It is a reflection of the Name: Andrew Smith All Ireland League and Cup titles, and 1 Bateman level of coaches on offer in Irish Rugby. Position: Centre Cup. At national level the Cork-man coached the Height: 1.94m (6’ 4”) Ireland Club International squad in 2008 and “With Anthony at the helm we look forward to Weight: 104kg (16st 5lb) 2009, and assisted with the Irish U21s in 2005. seeing this group work together in achieving DOB: 10/01/85 success for Munster Rugby.” Born: Sydney, NSW

54 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 PROVINCIAL NEWS

Tyler Bleyendall Joins Munster

Munster Rugby and the IRFU can today confirm that Canterbury and Crusaders player Tyler Bleyendall will join the province on a 3 year contract from November 1st 2014.

Playing at out-half or first centre, the 23-year-old has made 19 Super Rugby appearances for the FORCED TO Crusaders and represented Canterbury in the ITM Cup on 39 occasions. RETIRE A former New Zealand U20s player the Christchurch born Bleyendaal captained the side to victory in the 2010 Junior World Munster’s Niall Ronan will retire from professional rugby at the end of the current Championship in Argentina. season due to injury.

Speaking about his move to the province Ronan has been forced to retire from the game due to a right knee injury sustained Bleyendall said, “I am really excited to be heading at training on the 17th of October 2013. The 31 year-old back row rehabbed his to a new challenge of playing in a great injury unsuccessfully for a two-month period and required surgery just before competition in a new part of the world, for a Christmas. Acting on medical advice post-surgery means he has to unfortunately world renowned team. The decision was not an retire at season end. easy one as my time with Canterbury and the Crusaders has been amazing, being involved The Meath man joined Munster at the start of the 2007/08 season and played a key with quality people every day has made the role in Munster’s successes over the years. He is one of 7 current squad members place special. From the research I have done with over 100 caps for the province and made his debut against USA in August 2007. I am sure that Munster will be very similar, a proud team with a great record.” In total Niall has made 104 Munster appearances, scoring 16 tries, and played for Ireland on 4 occasions. Commenting on the latest signing Munster Rugby CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said “We are very Ronan informed his teammates of the news ahead of training in UL and although fortunate to recruit the services of a talented extremely disappointed he was very thankful for the opportunity to play young player such as Tyler Bleyendall. We professional rugby. believe Tyler can play an important role in the future of Munster Rugby, and will further “It has been a huge honour for me to play with such a great team for the past seven strengthen our squad. In his roles at 10 and years. I’m very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play with Munster 12 he has been a key decision maker with an Rugby and I truly enjoyed the experience. intelligent understanding of the game, and will provide us with an exciting option in midfield.” “I would like to thank the supporters, staff, teammates and people of Munster for my time here. Bleyendall, currently involved with the Crusaders, will join the province on completion «I would also like to thank my family, friends and former clubs that I played with for of his commitments with Canterbury in the ITM all their help and support throughout my career.” Cup. While Niall committed his time to a career in rugby he made provisions for the Name: future by continuing with his studies and recently completed a BA in Strength & Position: Out-half/Centre Conditioning with . Height: 1.85m Weight: 96kg “I will return to my home town of Drogheda and set up a business in the line of DOB: 31/05/90 work I’ve studied for, focusing on injury rehabilitation. I believe my experience as Born: Christchurch a professional rugby player will help me in this regard, and I am looking forward to supporting my old club Boyne RFC from the side-lines, going back to where it all began for me.”

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 55 NEWS: LEINSTER

Leinster appoints new coaches

Leinster have announced that Leo Cullen will make the transition from player to forwards coach ahead of the new season. Australian lock Head coach Matt O’Connor formally confirmed Leo Cullen’s role as Forwards signs for Leinster Coach effective 1st July at a recent press conference. Leinster Rugby have announced the signing of Australian lock Kane Head coach Matt O’Connor Douglas from the NSW Waratahs. Kane will join Leinster once his commented “Leo will bring Australian Rugby Union contract expires later in the year. a huge amount to Leinster Rugby as a coach and will continue the excellent work that The 24 year old, who made his Australian debut in 2012 against Jono Gibbes has done over the last six seasons. As a three Argentina and has gone on to win 13 further caps since then, will time winning Heineken Cup captain he already commands join a roster that already includes Irish internationals Devin Toner the respect of the players and that won’t change.” and Mike McCarthy. Douglas will join Leinster once his Australian Rugby Union contract expires later in the year. O’Connor also confirmed that Richie Murphy has signed a new deal with the province as Assistant Coach, with responsibility Ahead of his arrival Kane spoke to leinsterrugby.ie and spoke of for skills and kicking. Murphy will also be seconded on a his excitement. “It’s a big decision but one which I am very excited regular basis to the Irish Rugby Football Union in a similar role. about. I’ve had plenty of time to weigh lots of things up and the time is right for me and my partner to experience something new Murphy joined the Senior team as Skills and Kicking Coach in and something totally different. We are heading for a new challenge June 2010 having previously worked as Rugby Development in life and that’s what excites us.” Officer and Elite Player Development Officer for the province. “Richie has made a significant contribution to Leinster Rugby “Leinster is a massive club in Europe with a proud tradition and I’m over a number of years. In his time with the Senior team in the really looking forward to doing my bit to add to the team once my last four seasons he has developed into a top class coach at commitments are done here in Australia” this level and I look forward to continuing to work with him’’

Coach Matt O’Connor welcomed the addition of the young lock, “we Finally Marco Caputo will be joining the Province as Scrum are delighted to be able to formally announce Kane’s signing. For Coach. Former Australian hooker Caputo made a name for a young guy he already has a wealth of rugby knowledge and himself with the ACT Brumbies and closer to home with the experience under his belt and we also feel that he has the right likes of Clermont and Harlequins and played in five tests for character to succeed at Leinster.” Australia in 1996/97, scoring one try.

O’Connor concluded, “I’ve known Marco for a long time and have been impressed by the work he has been doing at the various clubs that he has coached. When you look at our squad we have a great cross section of experience and youth in the front row who have all developed under the tutelage of Greg Feek, and who are all eager to improve and challenge themselves further at the highest level.’’

All three coaches will take up their roles from the 1st July 2014.

56 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 PROVINCIAL NEWS

21 PLAYERS RE-SIGN FOR LEINSTER Leinster Rugby are delighted to confirm that 21 players have signed new IRFU contracts to continue playing with the Province for the 2014/2015 season and beyond and that an additional player has been added to the roster.

Commenting on the renewals O’Connor said, “We are delighted to be able to announce these contracts in preparation for the season ahead. It’s important for us as we continue to build that we have a group of players that are committed to the club and that share our vision for the future. While getting 22 contracts over the line is a huge undertaking the enthusiasm of the players was evident and we are very happy with where we are with our retention and recruitment drive.

“Sean McCarthy is a player that we have been keeping an eye on for a while now. He is a young and dynamic prop and we need to have quality players in this highly attritional position. Sean has been capped at underage level for Ireland and has performed well for Jersey RFC in the RFU Championship and B&I Cup and we look forward to welcoming him to Leinster in the Summer.

Leinster and Ireland “We are also delighted that a number of our Academy winger Dave players have stepped up and have been rewarded with Kearney suffered either full or development contracts. We have seen over an anterior cruciate the last number of years that the Leinster Academy is ligament tear that developing top class players and men and once again will see the Louth a number of them played significant roles when called man sidelined for upon in the PRO12 this season. 5-6 months. The injury occurred “There are one or two other players that we have in the second half identified as recruitment targets and we hope to of the RaboDirect announce them in due course but we have a big game PRO12 play-off this weekend against Edinburgh and the small matter of against Ulster on a PRO12 semi-final thereafter so all our focus will be on Saturday in the those two games.” RDS and Dave has undergone surgery Renewals: Michael Bent, , Sam Coghlan-Murray, and will begin rehab , Gordon D’Arcy, Tom Denton, Aaron Dundon, as soon as possible. Darragh Fanning, , Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings, Dave Kearney, Jack McGrath, Luke McGrath, Martin Moore, Sean O’Brien, Colm O’Shea , , Noel Reid, Rhys Ruddock, James Tracy Kearney Injury Setback New Signing: Sean McCarthy (from Jersey RFC)

JUNE 2014 EMERALD RUGBY 57 ORDER BEFORE 1PM FOR e verything rugby UK Freephone: 0800 298 4352

WILD THING WILD THING CYBER BOOTS CYBER BOOTS £59.99 £69.99

WILD THING CYBER BOOTS £59.99

TECHNOLOGY:

AIRFLEX-ZERO INNERBOARD Lightweight, fl exible & water resistant for maximum comfort

WEDGE Correct anatomical positioning, cushioning & injury prevention

ANATOMICAL EVA INNERSOLE Cashioned innersole gives greater proprioception & minimises foot roll

WWW.RUGBYSTORE.CO.UK

Emerald-Rugby-rugbystore-June-2014.indd 2 02/06/2014 14:49 ORDER BEFORE 1PM FOR SAME DAY DISPATCH e verything rugby UK Freephone: 0800 298 4352 International: +44 (0)1721 726920 e verything rugby

LEGEND KIDS WILD THING WILD THING BOOTS CYBER BOOTS CYBER BOOTS £69.99 £39.99 £59.99 LEGEND CYBER BOOTS £49.99 WILD THING CYBER BOOTS £59.99

LEGEND BOOTS £64.99

SEARCH ‘XBLADES BOOTS’ at rugbystore.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY:

AIRFLEX-ZERO INNERBOARD IT Lightweight, fl exible & water PERSONALISE resistant for maximum comfort MAKE THEM YOUR OWN FOR FREE! WEDGE MAKE THESE X BLADES BOOTS YOUR OWN WITH Correct anatomical positioning, cushioning & injury prevention RUGBYSTORE PERSONALISE:IT - FREE ON ALL BOOTS. ANATOMICAL EVA INNERSOLE Cashioned innersole gives greater proprioception & minimises foot CALL FREEPHONE 0800 298 4352 (FROM THE UK) roll OR +44 (0)1721 726920 (FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD)

WWW.RUGBYSTORE.CO.UK facebook.com/rugbystore.co.uk twitter.com/rugby_store

Emerald-Rugby-rugbystore-June-2014.indd 2 02/06/2014 14:49 Emerald-Rugby-rugbystore-June-2014.indd 3 02/06/2014 14:49 REGULAR: THE RUCKER RUCKER

University’s coach, said that the through injury attempted to cool The Judge ordered him to be DID YOU KNOW players had no animosity towards the situation by trying to escort curfewed for four months, to pay Did you know in 1887 the world each other when the game was him off the pitch but then was £1,500 compensation, and attend middleweight title fight between abandoned. ‘’They shook hands, himself attacked by some members an anger management course as Jack Dempsey and Johnny Reagan, clapped each other off the field, of the visitors coaching staff part of 12 months supervision. The on the seafront at Long Island, and had a few pints in the bar leading to a crowd invasion. assault took place at an under 14 New York was abandoned? After afterwards.” The referee had issued rugby match at Rugby eight rounds, the tide came in and a general warning after an incident ground in April 2013. early in the second half, and when, flooded the ring. That’s a true story with 20 minutes left, Iain McClung, Blow me down Barry Mitchell who was a parent, and made me start thinking about On 29 Jan 2014, Clevedon’s home Carrick’s president and prop, game against was coach and acting as a linesman for the reason, rugby matches are was knocked to the ground, the abandoned after the goal posts Barnstaple RFC under 14s when abandoned. Usually, matches are forwards flared up again, which were blown over. he clashed with opposing coach called off because of bad weather prompted McEachran to send them Phillips. or a serious injury to a player, off. The game could not continue spectator or match official. But I am without forwards. Worse for wear The referee Simon Hill was looking at the more unusual cases. I love this one. In 1989, a match struggling to control the match and McClung had good reason to feel between Whitby and Corby was tensions spread to the touch line, aggrieved that he was among abandoned because the Corby leading Mr Hill to warn the players Bobby wont be those sent off. He was still lying players were too drunk to continue. at half time he would abandon the on the ground when the referee The referee called a halt seven game if things did not improve. beat! issued his dismissal. He was felled minutes into the second half with He also warned parents to stay In September 2013 the match when a University player tried to Corby losing 80-0 at the time. off the pitch. Mr Mitchell became between Police Scotland Glasgow fly-hack the ball and missed it! All I can say is that the half time increasingly upset by opposing and Moffat had to be abandoned refreshments, must have been coach Phillips’ behaviour which because there were too few players absolutely superb. he called ‘unsportsmanlike’ as he left on the pitch. Two officers from encouraged the Welsh players to Police Scotland Glasgow were sent Barking mad behave badly. off and three others sin-binned. Dog owners led to a rugby match Take it to the line The referee, who also sent off one being abandoned after the pitch The match between Barnstaple and Phillips replied it was Moffat player and sin-binned three was littered with “bin bags” worth the touring side from Mountain ‘gamesmanship’ and there was an more, called time on the game of dog mess. Peebles 2nd XV were Ash was abandoned after Gerwyn exchange between the pair and after just 59 minutes. The official due to clash with Borders rivals Phillips(coach) flattened Barry after a line out Phillips told his decided that there weren’t enough Kelso but players feared they Mitchell (linesman) on the touch players not to give the ball back to players left on the pitch and too would be playing amidst dog poo. line. Some of the 30 young players their opponents. The referee told many fouls were being committed. Peebles manager, Alistair Clyde ran over to break up the violence the pair to stop bickering before I understand that the police were said: “There were two of us with as Phillips punched his victim three Phillips told the linesman ‘do you asked to help the Scottish Rugby black bin bags trying to get rid of more times on the ground. want some of this?’ Union, with their enquiries, after it all when the referee appeared There had already been a brawl on Phillips dropped the medical bag the match! but he said he had no choice but to the pitch, during the ill-tempered he was carrying and punched Mr call it off because of the amount of game. Instead of calming the Mitchell in the face. Mitchell fell to dog dirt.” tension Phillips became involved the ground and the defendant got in a running argument with the on top of him and punched him A Hole lot of linesman which flared into violence four or five times. Pitch invaders when the other man accused him “Mr Mitchell was aware of his son trouble Deal and Betteshanger’s home of being unsporting. and supporters pulling Phillips In October 2013, Bristol’s clash with game against high flying East Phillips squared up to the linesman away. He was left with a two inch Aberavon was abandoned after Grinstead was ended in a sad and and asked ‘do you want some of cut in his forehead which he has 67 minutes when a mysterious untimely fashion after just twenty this?’ before landing a punch which been told will lead to permanent hole appeared in the middle of the minutes play. The referee Mr Steve left the victim with permanent scarring. Talbot Athletic pitch. I assume the Halligan had to abandon the game scarring from a cut above his eye. rugby union is looking into it! following a pitch invasion. His behaviour was described as “Phillips told police, Mr Mitchell The initial incident was a flare up disgraceful by the judge at Exeter had chest barged him but said between four or five players which Crown Court but he escaped an details of what happened were No room in the bin would have been easily contained immediate jail sentence after it was a haze. He mentioned the word In 1993 Glasgow University and by the referee had it not been for revealed he is being treated for frenzy.” Carrick were about an hour into the actions of a young member testicular cancer. their Glasgow and District League of the East Grinstead club. He had Self-employed carpenter Phillips, Mr Nicholas Jones, defending, said: first-division game at University’s been videoing the game but as aged 41, Mountain Ash, Mid “ My client was trying to coach ground, Westerlands, when a fight a result of the flare up ran unto Glamorgan, admitted assault his team from the side-lines. The broke out among the forwards. The the pitch and started aiming wild causing actual bodily harm linesman was not impartial and referee, Peter McEachran, stepped punches at the Lions players. A and was jailed for six months, was making some comments which in and dismissed the eight forwards Lions player who was not playing suspended for 18 months by Judge were over the top. He called my from each side. Doug Sommerville, Jeremy Griggs. client an arsehole which probably inflamed the situation!” 60 EMERALD RUGBY JUNE 2014 Concussion Recognise & Remove

Convulsive Unsteady Headache Confused Knocked out Dazed Nauseous Dizzy

Any of these - get them off NOW irbplayerwelfare.com/concussion RRP €4.75 (inc VAT)/£3.50 Irelandʼs Leading Rugby Magazine JUNE 2014 - Vol 11 issue 5

MULLER Bids Farwell––

DAVE FOLEY Ready For Takeoff

LEINSTER RUGBY 2014 Champions

ISSN 1740-1879 The protein you need to raise your game. 05 There are moments in a match when you need to dig deep. During this kind of hard exercise, breakdown happens deep inside your muscle fibres. Cyclone from MaxiNutrition provides creatine to give you the explosive power to go that extra yard, plus the protein your muscles need to recover and rebuild. 9 771740 187009 Leinster Souvenir Poster

KINSALE 7’s JONO GIBBES HEINEKEN CUP FINAL CLUB RUGBY CONTRACT NEWS WWW.MAXINUTRITION.COM 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