Leinster Rugby

This weekend’s set of Heineken Cup fixtures are mouth-watering. You cannot argue with Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan when he says this is the best line-up in the tournament’s history. In fact, this will probably be the best weekend of rugby in the northern hemisphere all year.

To mark the occasion, here is a look back at an enthralling game at this stage in the competition eight years ago, when Leinster travelled to reigning European champions Toulouse and came away 35-41 winners. It was a breathless match, and Leinster can draw on that experience when they travel to Toulon on Sunday.

In that quarter-final from 2006 Leinster were simply outstanding, and the scoreline flattered the home side. For all the brilliance of Brian O’Driscoll, it was a game that was settled by the contrasting performances of the two fly-halves. Maverick Toulouse 10 Frédéric Michalak defines French flair and unpredictability, but his two crucial errors, combined with a majestic performance from opposite number Felipe Contepomi, decided the outcome of this quarter final.  

In particular, Contepomi’s vision was sensational. His deft offload set up O’Driscoll for the first try, and his decision to run the ball from his own 22 led to a fantastic score by Denis Hickie. The build-up to that try serves to highlight the great rugby on show that day.

Shane Horgan added the fourth try, and late Toulouse scores by Nyanga and Jauzion were simply consolation. Toulouse played very well, but Leinster were just better. After the match, then-coach Michael Cheika had this to say about Contepomi: ‘Felipe was pretty good – we get sick of saying that’.

Michalak, meanwhile, left the field to boos and jeers on 72 minutes. In that time he slotted a well-taken drop goal, but more importantly, he had thrown a pass to Leinster flanker Cameron Jowitt ten metres from the line for his try, Leinster’s second. Furthermore, Michalak’s profligacy from hand led to the turnover from which, in one phase, Leinster ran the length of the field through Contepomi, D’Arcy and Hickie.

This year the equation is similar for the Irish province. As in 2006, they must travel to the south of France to face the reigning Heineken Cup champions. But this time it is big-spending Toulon who are the opponents. One constant that will be a nice reminder of 2006 for Leinster, is that Michalak, who excelled in the win against Toulouse on Sunday in Jonny Wilkinson’s absence, may have another key role to play. There is no knowing what he will do.

Like eight years ago, Leinster have the fast-paced approach to win the match. Finding out if they can do just that will be a fascinating end to a superb weekend of rugby.

The men from Dublin will attempt to join multiple winners Toulouse, Munster, London Wasps and the Leicester Tigers as the latest side to not only confirm their dominance of European rugby, but also, to create a peerless dynasty.

Toulouse—beaten 32-23 by Leinster—conceded the Heineken Cup title in the semi-final at Aviva Stadium, ruling out an audacious attempt by the French giants to claim a remarkable five European trophies. 

The vanquished French—at times skeptical losers—lavished praise on Leinster in an eloquent and flattering manner that could leave little doubt as to how genuine it really was. 

Toulouse master coach Guy Novés—regarded by many as the next French test coach—summed it up post match.

“We fell to a team better than us,” he said. 

“In every sense they deserve their victory. No more to be said about that. I recall certain cup matches that I lost that left a bitter taste, where I felt I’d been the victim of incoherent decisions. Here I have regrets, but I feel the better team won.”

Backs coach Jean-Baptiste Elissalde felt that Leinster was playing “at another level” compared to other sides on the continent.

This was no rolling over by French rugby’s perennial contenders—a side like the Crusaders that never seems to go a season or two without making a statement just to remind fledgling powers of their place.

Leinster, though, is no baby on this grandest of stages anymore.

Noves had clearly done his homework, with the Toulousains methodically drawing Leinster defenders into the ruck throughout the match—clearly designed to compress the graceful arching Irish defence.

Much of Leinster’s tackling systems are in place due to Te Kuiti born Kurt McQuilkin, who has settled back into his Lake Taupo home after turning a perceived ‘soft underbelly’ for the Irish province into one of the most beguiling defensive screens on display in world rugby.

However, while Toulouse did work for their two tries—and strategically manipulate Leinster at times—the French did not have the menace or edge to their blade that has seen them rule the North before.

Leinster looked even better than they did when they claimed the Heineken Cup two years ago.

There may be no Rocky Elsom—a cult hero who has never played as well in Wallabies colours as he did in the sky blue—but up front, his power has been replaced by South African hooker Richardt Strauss and Sean O’Brien—the latter of which is arguably the best openside in the Northern Hemisphere.

While Isa Nacewa is another man from the South who shines in Leinster, it is no Toulon-like assembly of imported stars that does the job, but rather, a heady blend of Irish test players who are in career best form.

Of course there is Brian O’Driscoll, who is clearly slower, but if anything seems more physically imposing and has more devilish street-smarts (a ruck earned yellow card aside) than most players could ever hope to boast.

Add to this reinvigorated players like Gordon D’Arcy, Mike Ross and Jamie Heaslip, mixed with maturing talent such as Jonathan Sexton, and one feels if a year or two could be coaxed out of their elder statesmen, this may only be the beginning for Leinster.

How good are they?

A win over the Northampton Saints in the final would give Leinster a French and English treble that has probably never been equaled.

Toulouse, Racing Metro and Clermont Auvergne—three of the key powers in the Top 14—and England’s two domestic finalists from last season, Leicester and Saracens, have been unable to match what some are calling the “all-court” game of Leinster.

However, a furious Heineken Cup clash between Leinster and Toulouse—hailed by some as one of the great matches of the competition with test match intensity—did see the Irish under pressure at times, and Brian O’Driscoll felt his team were a bit off colour.

“We were a little bit flat, particularly in that first half and didn’t help ourselves but to grind out a result in a European semi-final you need a little bit of luck,” the evergreen Irish centre said.

“It’s the games where you perhaps don’t play at your very best but still get over the line that give you a chance to win some silverware; we have done that.”

“That (game) was like a Test match; that was the intensity and calibre of game it was. You realise that it takes an awful lot to get to the semi-final and final of the Heineken Cup and sides aren’t going to roll over, especially the current champions. We saw right to the death how they gave themselves a chance to win it, even when they were nine points down.”

While Munster has abdicated their role as a leading power (for this season at least) on the European stage with a shock home loss to Harlequins, Leinster has firmly embraced the baton as the dominant Irish power.

In 1999 Ulster claimed the Heineken Cup, the next three years Munster reached the final twice, before the Red Army claimed the greatest European prize in 2006 and 2008, with Leinster lifting the title 12 months later.

Ireland has had clubs which have footed it with and dominated all of the great clubs of England, France, Wales and Scotland, and it should bode well for Irish hopes in the World Cup.

Their marvelous win over England to deny the Red Rose a Grand Slam was the stuff of legend, and showed the ability of the Irish to play with enough passion and intensity to match any power.

Leinster’s form is such that some in Ireland believe their coach (New Zealanders Joe Schmidt) should be the front-runner to take over as the next test boss one day.

The former Clermont back coach took over from Michael Cheika—who won a Heineken Cup and Magner’s League title with Leinster—and has helped hone a strong Dublin based side that is one game from again conquering the North.

Under current Irish coach Declan Kidney, Ireland has a 2009 Grand Slam to go along with 19 wins from 29 test matches.

They will be in Pool C at the Rugby World Cup alongside the Wallabies, and the runner up of the group will likely face off against the Springboks in the quarter-final.

With due respect to the other semifinal, the clash between the reigning and four-time champions Toulouse, and the winners in 2009 Leinster, represents the match between two of the current powerhouses of the European stage.

French giants Toulouse are aiming for an unprecedented fifth European title, and are potentially heading for an 18th French domestic crown, currently top of the table in this year’s top 14.

In their record 10th semifinal, they have won 19 from 27 Heineken knockout matches, and their only loss in this season’s competition came at the hand of London Wasps at Adam’s Park, with an 81st-minute-David-Lemi try, winning it for the Englishmen.

Indeed it was that reverse that means Toulouse have to travel to Aviva Stadium, where Leinster awaits arguably the form team of the tournament.

They are second to Munster in the Magner’s League but, unlike their eliminated rivals, Leinster navigated the toughest pool—beating Clermont, Racing-Metro and Saracensm to claim second seed in the finals.

Twice Magner’s (Celtic) League winners, and two-time runners up, their breakthrough Heineken Cup in 2008/2009 confirmed them as a legitimate heavyweight.

Irish test and Leinster centre Gordon D'Arcy, told the Irish Independent that talk that the French side was a fading force was rubbish.

"It's still Toulouse," he said. "Rupeni Caucaunibuca was playing at the weekend; he hasn't played for four or five games. He'd walk into any team in Europe yet he's one of their rotational guys. It just shows the strength of depth in their squad.

"They're the team that everybody wants to beat, year in year out. They've won the most trophies.

"We can't look for any excuses; we'll take them at face value and have to bring our 'A' game.

"We just need to worry about ourselves. I know myself, if I'm lucky to play, if I win my individual battle, then I can contribute to the team.

"Everyone needs to have that mindset and perform that little bit better than the guy you're playing against."

I think Toulouse are going to be a step up on Leicester. Toulouse are probably more of a complete team. They have more impact off the bench. The Irish will be wary, as last season’s semifinal they clashed with Toulouse on French soil, and the champion’s elect toyed with Leinster up front and were ruthless in the set piece.

Leinster look a stronger side this season, noticeably up front. While Toulouse has talked them up, even claiming the Irish are the "perfect team," neither opponent will be able to claim outright dominance in any facet of the game.

Toulouse is typically stacked with French internationals. While their 16-win and eight-loss season has them leading the top 14, it is not form that suggests they have been devastating throughout the last 12 months.

Samoan and Toulouse prop Census Johnston believes the game will be decided by the packs.

"We are expecting a big battle, especially up front," he said.

"We did well last year and it setup a platform for us and even tough we have targeted it again this year we know they will be doing the same.

"They have put in some strong performances and have been working hard so we know it is going to be a challenge."

Toulouse have been here before, and have the goods to get a fifth crown.

Leinster deserve favouritism based on home advantage and what was hard-nosed form getting through a tough pool and a tight quarterfinal against Leicester.

Toulouse, who replayed last year’s final with Biarritz in their quarterfinal, won 7-20 in extra time.

The two teams have played each other eight times in Europe, with Toulouse ahead five to three, with Leinster triumphing the last occasion they met in Dublin in 2008.

Date: Saturday, April 30
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)

Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen (c), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy. Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Stan Wright, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Shane Jennings, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Fergus McFadden.

Toulouse: 15 Cédric Heymans, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Clément Poitrenaud, 11 Maxime Medard, 10 David Skrela, 9 Jean-Marc Doussain, 8 Louis Picamoles , 7 Yannick Nyanga, 6 Jean Bouilhou, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Census Johnston, 2 William Servat, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux. Replacements: 16 Virgile Lacombe, 17 Daan Human, 18 Johnson Falefa, 19 Thierry Dusautoir, 20 Nicolas Bezy, 21 Yannick Jauzion, 22 Shaun Sowerby, 23 Grégory Lamboley.

After Leinster’s failure to topple the ever-improving Dragons at the weekend, the Scottish pro-teams go into the Heineken Cup break first and second in the Magners League table.  So, congratulations to Glasgow and Edinburgh for that excellent bit of away points-grabbing, in particular the two oft-abused/unsung 10s David “Tony” Blair and King of Dans Parko Parks who both played pivotal roles.

What’s more, with only each other to play in the league between now and then, there’s a pretty good chance that one of the Scottish pro-teams will go into the halfway point after Christmas atop the table, with the other in close attendance—along with the likes of Leinster and Ulster.

It’s really great to see the teams doing so well and heading into the second half of the season with one—and possibly both—primed for at least a decent chance of a playoff spot come the sharp end.

This weekend's attention turns to the Heineken Cup. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh need to win all their remaining games to have a chance of getting anywhere, including a possibly shift sideways into the latter stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup (might be a better bet there anyway).

For Glasgow, that’s back-to-back-to-back against Gloucester, then the Dragons, and away to Biarritz. All of which is—in theory—possible based on previous events, but still fairly unlikely for a team that has struggled so often with inconsistency.

Still, the way they toughed it out against Ulster gives me hope. Going out to the south of France with the weather turning a bit and all to play for could make for exciting times, though. Good news for them, too that Ruaridh Jackson came through an hour for Ayr (at full-back) on Saturday.

Edinburgh also faces a team struggling in the GP, Bath (get Robinson on as a pundit!) before taking on Ulster at Ravenhill and Stade at home. With those guys and their love of throwing it about, anything is possible, but I fear “for zem ze vor is ova” and I reckon they will target the festive derbies for a clean sweep instead, maybe giving David Blair some more game time—he did pretty well against the Scarlets on Friday night. Or is that defeatist talk?

On the Internet the walls have ears. Win against Bath and I’ll probably change my mind again.

In terms of TV coverage, according to ERC rugby we get delayed highlights of Glasgow on Friday (this, I think, means “delayed until the round-up show on Sunday night”) and red button for Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon.

In 2005, when Brian O'Driscoll (BOD), Lions captain, was controversially spear tackled by the ferocious All Blacks double team of Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu, his Lions campaign ended instantly with a dislocated shoulder.

The following infamous 'blackwash' rubbed salt in the wounds for the Lions skipper as the Lions received an embarrassing 3-0 series drubbing.

Brian O'Driscoll was left to contemplate life on the sidelines, an all too familiar story ever since, as BOD became increasingly injury prone.

That period was to proove a key turning point in his career of the, up until then, seemingly meteoric rise of BOD to the Valhalla of international rugby.

For his beloved Leinster, Declan Kidney was to unceremoniously fail and then leave for perennial rivals Munster that same season leaving Leinster to chance their arm on a then relatively unknown Michael Cheika.  

It was then French rugby came calling to O'Driscoll as he faced a nadir in his professional career in the summer of 2006. And in the great what ifs of Irish rugby history he choose to stay and contribute to the Michael Cheika experiment, for better or worse.

The going was initially rough. Ulster and then the Ospreys were to clinch the Magners league title and O'Driscoll as captain of the Ireland team, would reach their own nadir in the Rugby World Cup in 2007, subsequent failure in the six nations in 2008 leading to the end of the up until then successful reign of Eddie O'Sullivan, the current USA rugby coach.

But then the first shoots from the ashes begun to spring up for BOD.

A Magners League title eventually would be claimed in 2008 but the real story of the rise of the phoenix was to take place during this season.

Relinquishing the Leinster captaincy to Leo Cullen, with a new coach yet old mentor in charge of Ireland in the form of Declan Kidney and with a well publiscised loss in weight, BOD would go on to have his most wildly successful season ever.

A historic Grand Slam followed where BOD would win player of the tournament scoring a try in every game bar the climatic finale in Cardiff.

For Leinster, although they effectively relinquished the Magners League in a loss to Munster in April (in which BOD missed out through injury), they would claim for the first time in their history the European Cup after defeating Leicester in memorable fashion.

The new BOD is a different animal. Defensively BOD, much like his club has toughened considerably. His amazing try scoring ability has returned but with a new threat - drop goal kicking. He has lost weight leading to tries like the intercept tries he scored against Italy and Munster.

Most interestingly he is not a player for the limelight anymore. He passed up the Leinster captaincy to Cullen and the Lions captaincy went to Paul O'Connell after discussions with Ian McGeechan and his international teammate.

And so full circle, karma, has come around. Although Umaga and Mealamu have long sinced retired, the physical intimidation of World Champions South Africa awaits the Lions tour of 2009.

This tour will top of what has already been a dream like season for the Ireland captain. If they win his place in Rugby Valhalla will be incontestable, and if they lose, those demons from that fateful day in Christchurch may come back to haunt him.

Congratulations to BOD and the boys for a fantastic season for this Leinster and Ireland fan and best of luck to the Lions this summer. Here's hoping BOD, the phoenix and the Lion will come full circle from the ashes of 2005.

The two finalists of Europe—the great usurpers of Ireland against the born again powerhouse of England, by quirk of fates and rules, their paths here were vastly different.

Leinster arrives on the grand stage in their first Heineken Cup final, having taken down Munster, the former darlings of the European championship, at Croke Park 25-6.

It was a result that propelled them to a summit, having strode out from the immense shadow of the red army, and now looking to be the third Irish team to hoist what is regarded as the symbol of Northern hemisphere club supremacy.

To call them upstarts is hardly fair—they did win the Magner’s League last season—and they possess a squad that boasts more than 15 men whom have represented their country of origin in either Irish, Wallaby, or Puma colours.

But when you play in the same nation as two-time winners and two-time runners-up Munster, you are not often mentioned in the discussions of rugby greatness.

The Tigers are often in such forums.

In the last twelve months we have seen a remarkable metamorphosis of the 129-year-old English rugby club.

Their history is all but unrivaled. They have been two-time champions of Europe and two-time runners up. To go with that, they have seven English championships since 1988, six Anglo-Welsh cups, and a strong claim to be the most decorated club in the North.

Midseason in this year’s Guinness Premiership, Heyneke Meyer departed with the club sitting in seventh place, and not looking like a threat to England nor the premier tournament of Europe.

Since then Richard Cockerill—a former Tiger himself—has reinvigorated the team. Many have since led comparisons to this now seemingly great team to the side that Dean Richards and Martin Johnson had striding the rugby continent several years, unchallenged.

They defeated London Irish, in a somewhat dour final, to have the team on the cusp of a remarkable domestic and European double.

On the face of this, they deserve their place in the final.

But their path here was controversial to say the least.

Far be it for me to attack the rules that govern our great game, but for a finals position to be decided via a penalty shootout was a travesty.

It certainly could have gone either way.

Cardiff could argue to being the form team of the Northern Hemisphere coming into the match, being on a 12-match cup winning streak. The conquerors of Toulouse and EDF champions were favoured to tip the Tigers.

But a Jordan Crane kick saw that dream fail.

So now we are here, at Murrayfield, where we will either see Leinster lift their first European crown, or see the Tigers join Toulouse as the only team to have won the title three times.

For Leinster, a team with almost as many Irish internationals as Munster, they certainly have the arsenal to take this most elusive of titles.

They have overcome their fourth semi final to reach the final match of the championship, but must do against the odds. They will not have the master Felipe Contepomi to guide their operation around the park. 

Equally, so much hinges on Brian O’Driscoll. Can the warhorse last?  He will head to South Africa as the only recognised outside centre. This year will become a battle of attrition with his physical well being.

Much will depend on the efforts of Rocky Elsom, the inspirational blind side who almost destroyed the efforts of the Munster back row by himself.

Here, the match will be decided.

The Tigers' reinvention has come at the breakdown. Cockerill regards this as the holy grail of rugby coaching. Ben Kay and Martin Corry have remarked that he spends more time going through the ruck and contact area than any other aspect.

Combined with a rediscovered flair for running rugby, the Tigers appear on the verge of rediscovering the greatness of their golden age, a trait that may again see the trophy cabinet at Welford Road filled again.

Despite the pedigree and history that the Tigers bring to Murrayfield, one feels that Leinster will not let this one go, after creating history against Munster at Croke Park.

A team full of Irish warhorses should bring this home narrowly, in a tight tussle, not a spectacle, by four points.

Leicester Tigers

• Road to final: W W W L W L W D
• HC history: Champions (2000/01, 2001/02) Runners up (1996/97, 2006/07)

Leinster

• Road to final: W W W L L W W W
• HC history: Semi finalists (1995/96, 2002/03, 2005/06)

Previous Heineken Cup clashes

• HEAD TO HEAD: Played 9, Leicester Tigers 5, Leinster 4