Leinster vs Bath

ISSUE 6 | LEINSTER RUGBY OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
LEINSTER
VS
bath
SAT 11 th DEC
AVIVA STADIUM
KO 3.15PM
FRONT PAGE

POWERED BY NATURE
CRAFTED FOR YOU
TISSOTWATCHES.COM
TISSOT, INNOVATORS BY TRADITION

Newstead Building A,
UCD,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
#LEIVBAT
The Line up
Telephone:
012693224
Fax:
012693142
E-mail:
information@leinsterrugby.ie
www.leinsterrugby.ie
10
24
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
President: John Walsh
Chief Executive: Michael Dawson
Honorary Secretary: Stuart Bayley
Honorary Treasurer: Michael McGrail
RUGBY MANAGEMENT
Head Coach: Leo Cullen
Senior Coach: Stuart Lancaster
Head of Rugby Operations:
Guy Easterby
Assistant Coach: Robin McBryde
Backs Coach: Felipe Contepomi
Kicking Coach: Emmet Farrell
Contact Skills Coach: Denis Leamy
14
PROGRAMME CREDITS
Editorial Team: Marcus Ó Buachalla,
Ryan Corry & Paul Cahill
Advertising: Gary Nolan
Design: Julian Tredinnick,
Ignition Sports Media
Photography: Sportsfile
Chief Steward: Sword Security
Ambulance: St. John’s Ambulance
Medilink
Event Control & Safety Services:
Eamonn O’Boyle & Associates
60
92
STAY
CONNECTED
& KEEP
UP-TO-DATE
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 3

EPCR WELCOME
MESSAGE
A warm welcome to this
match in the 2021/22 Heineken
Champions Cup season as we
look forward once again to
elite clubs and top players
producing the brilliance and
drama which have for long
been the trademarks of our
truly world-class tournament.
Following the new EPCR
agreement which was concluded
last April, we are now entering
an exciting era for Heineken
Champions Cup rugby and with
stadiums across Europe opening
up to fans once again, we will
see a return to the traditional
passion and colour which have
characterised the competition
since its inception in 1995.
The 24-club format with two pools of 12
has been retained, and following two
rounds of matches this month, and two in
January, the eight highest-ranked clubs
in each pool will qualify for the knockout
stage.
An innovative Round of 16 with home
and away legs, and then traditional
quarter-finals and semi-finals, will
guarantee a further series of compelling
fixtures culminating in the 2022 final at
the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on
Saturday, 28 May. In addition, three
clubs from each pool will qualify for the
Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
A special mention must go to Stade
Toulousain who made history last season
when they lifted the trophy in such fine
style for a record fifth time, and to the
supremely-talented Antoine Dupont who
became the first French player to be
awarded the Anthony Foley Memorial
Trophy as EPCR European Player of the
Year.
We are delighted to be joined on the
journey to the Marseille finals by our
long-standing title partner, Heineken, and
we also extend the hand of welcome to
our newest official partner, DHL, who will
provide customised logistics solutions for
both the Heineken Champions Cup and
the EPCR Challenge Cup. We would also
like to thank Tissot, the Financial Times,
Gilbert and Kappa for their continuing
support.
We recognise the superb coverage
provided by our TV partners BT Sport,
beIN SPORTS, France Télévisions,
Channel 4 and Virgin Media whose
output is complemented by the wide
range of linear and OTT platforms which
broadcast the Heineken Champions Cup
globally.
The elite clubs in this season’s tournament
have a total of 38 European titles
between them so we are certain of topquality
entertainment from the kick-off to
the final whistle.
On behalf of everyone at EPCR, enjoy
the match and best wishes to you, the
fans, as well as to your club’s players
and staff for what promises to be another
memorable Heineken Champions Cup
season.
Yours in rugby,
Dominic McKay
EPCR Chairman (interim)

Every great match
starts with 0.0

Welcome to Round 1 of the
Heineken® Champions Cup
2021/2022.
The start of a new season of
Heineken® Champions Cup rugby
always brings great excitement
and anticipation for what awaits
between now and the end of
May. All teams start out with
hopes and dreams of making
the final in Marseilles and what
promises to be a fantastic festival
of rugby. We at HEINEKEN Ireland
are immensely proud to be title
sponsor of Europe’s leading club
rugby competition, a tournament
that conjures up so many truly
memorable sporting occasions,
forever etched in the folklore of
Irish sport and I have no doubt,
more memories will be made in
this new season.
What makes this season even more
special is that it truly marks the return of
the big match day occasion that we have
all missed so much over the past couple
of seasons. It was testament to the
great work of EPCR and the players and
officials of all the participating teams,
that the past two Heineken® Champions
Cup seasons were completed, albeit in
a truncated manner. However, what
was abundantly clear is that matchday
is nothing without fans in stadia. It really
is fantastic that all fans will again get to
enjoy rugby around Europe this season;
be it live in stadia or in their local bar
over a refreshing Heineken® with friends.
The pandemic has impacted us all in
so many ways, but sport has been a
real beacon of hope, a source of great
enjoyment and comfort to so many. Long
may it continue to be.
I wish all teams participating in this
season’s competition good luck and
success. It goes without saying that
we in HEINEKEN Ireland will keep a
particularly close eye on the results of
Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster.
I wish them all well in Round 1 & 2 as
they take on quality English and French
opposition.
Enjoy the games and as always please
do socialise responsibly.
Maarten Schuurman
Managing Director, HEINEKEN Ireland.

PRESIDENT, LEINSTER RUGBY 2020/22
john walsh welcome
At this time of the rugby playing
season the thoughts of rugby fans
across Europe turn to the stars but
not skywards.
It’s the desire that your cherished club
will have their jersey emblazoned by
a golden star signifying that they have
won a Heineken Champions Cup in the
2021/22 season.
The competition which commenced in
1995/96 (won by Toulouse) has brought
excitement and drama to European club
rugby and attracted sports fans from
all over the rugby world (128 affiliated
countries to World Rugby) to follow
the tournament and the fortunes of the
international players and their clubs as
the competition progresses.
Leinster are the proud winners of four
titles, just one behind Toulouse who went
ahead of them by winning last season’s
final. To date just 12 of Europe’s leading
clubs have won the European Cup. Three
from Ireland with seven wins, three from
France with nine wins and six clubs from
England with 10 wins between them.
After seven rounds of the United Rugby
Championship, Leinster top the league
table narrowly with 29 points closely
pursued by Edinburgh on 28 points and
followed by Ulster in third position on 25
points.
In the process of achieving this position
Leinster have won six of their seven
fixtures in the league and have scored
219 points (the highest number in the
16-team league) and conceded 85 points
(the lowest of all the sides who have
played their seven league fixtures).
So we head into our European campaign
in solid form with the ambition and desire
to add a fifth star to our club shirt that
has currently four stars on it signifying
our hard earned victories in 2008/09
(beating Leicester), 2010/11 (beating
Northampton), 2011/12 (beating Ulster)
and in 2017/18 (beating Racing).
We are however mindful that these stars
are not easily captured having lost the
2018/19 final to Saracens, losing out
again to Saracens in the quarter-final in
2019/20 and exiting at the semi-final last
season to La Rochelle.
The 24 elite European clubs taking part
in this season’s tournament all have the
ambition and desire to make the final in
Stade de Velodrome in Marseille next
May.
This season Leinster’s Pool stage
opposition consists of Bath (Heineken
Cup winners in 1997/98, beating Brive
and European Challenge Cup winners
in 2007/08 beating Worcester) and
Montpellier (winners of the European
Challenge Cup in 2021 beating Leicester
18-17 and in 2016 beating Harlequins,
and also winners of the European Shield
in 2004, beating Viadana).
Bath’s season to date has been one of
ill-fortune and their Gallagher Premiership
campaign sees them rooted to the
dreaded number 13 position at the
bottom of the league with no wins to
date.
The pendulum of good fortune that all
teams need for success has gone in the
wrong direction for what undoubtedly
has been one of England’s most
successful clubs.
However their European campaign last
season was good and they reached the
semi-final of the European Challenge
Cup losing narrowly to the eventual
winners Montpellier. They know that this
competition offers them a great chance to
focus on something else and rejuvenate
their season.
In the professional era, Leinster have
played Bath on 11 occasions for nine
victories and two defeats and while
these stats may impress I can assure you
that they were all very hard and closely
fought wins.
The Rec is one of the most historic playing
fields in the history of the game and has
been home to Bath since 1894. It can be
a hot cauldron for visiting teams and the
atmosphere of the fans creates a unique
theatre for rugby. Just like the mighty
River Avon that flows beside the grounds,
visiting sides can become embroiled in
turbulent times at The Rec.
Next weekend it’s a trip to France for
Leo Cullen’s men but that can wait for
next week. For now all eyes are on Stuart
Hooper’s Bath and the challenge they
pose.
Regrettably the dark clouds of the
Covid-19 pandemic are still with us and
some of the positive role that fans play
for both sides in European fixtures may
well be reduced due to travel regulations.
However, on behalf of all involved in
Leinster Rugby I extend a warm welcome
to all the fans who join us for our
European fixtures at home and abroad
and I wish a safe trip to any Leinster
supporters heading to France next
weekend.
Enjoy the games and stay safe.
JOHN WALSH
President Leinster Rugby 2020/22
8 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

10 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Leo Cullen
head Coach Welcome
A very warm welcome to you all, and in particular to
Stuart Hooper and his Bath team for the much-anticipated
start of this year’s Heineken Champions Cup. Both clubs
have a rich history in the competition, and we have gone
head-to-head on no less than 11 previous occasions. I’m
sure today will be another keenly contested affair.
It’s hard to believe this is our last
home game of 2021. What a year
it has been!
It’s really great to be signing off with our
largest attendance of the year and we
are all so grateful to you for turning out
and giving us your backing. We hope
today is another positive step on the way
to Leinster playing in front of a full Aviva
Stadium.
We also hope you get to spend some
quality time with loved ones over the
Christmas period as we look forward to
brighter days ahead.
For the team, the festivities will be short
as we are on the road for three straight
weeks: Montpellier away next week,
followed by Munster on St Stephen’s Day
and then Ulster on New Year’s Day. It all
adds up to a big and exciting challenge
for the group.
Our sympathies are very much with all
the players and staff who were caught
up in South Africa over the last couple of
weeks. It was really bad luck and could
have happened to any of us, so we wish
those who were unlucky enough to fall ill
a speedy recovery.
I am also thinking of Ifan Phillips, the
Ospreys hooker, who was involved in
a very serious road traffic accident last
week. Ifan, his family, friends and all of
his colleagues at the Ospreys are in our
thoughts at a very difficult time for them
all.
To all the team’s sponsors, we would
normally enjoy a Christmas get-together
of some description, but with recent
guidelines this has not been possible.
As a group, we are very appreciative
of all that you do for the team, and we
hope those of you who have made it
here today have an excellent day out. A
special shout out to Best Menswear for
kitting us out in our smart new suits! And
also to Beauchamps who have recently
renewed their sponsorship.
We have some special guests
with us today. I hope you all
give Fergus McFadden a warm
welcome back as I believe he
will be introduced before the
game to the crowd at Aviva
Stadium. Ferg was a great
competitor for Leinster over many years
and unfortunately had to finish in an
empty stadium so we are delighted that
he can join us today along with his wife
Rebecca and other members of his family.
We also have the team of 2001 here to
celebrate Leinster’s Celtic League win
which (hard to believe I know) was 20
years ago!
Leinster were very early in the journey
of professional rugby at the time but it
was an important first step in delivering
silverware. The team also had to dig-in to
pull out an against-the-odds performance
after going down to 14 men early in the
game.
December gives us the opportunity to
work with the Peter McVerry Trust as our
latest charity partner and we would like
to thank Life Style Sports and adidas for
donating cold weather kit at a time when
it is most needed.
Finally, to our wonderful supporters,
it was really special to have had you
back at the RDS Arena for the two
interprovincial derbies. Everyone
involved was hugely disappointed with
our performance against Ulster where
we felt we let you down, but last week’s
effort against Connacht was much more
like it from us. We hope we can build on
that over the coming weeks, and we’re
counting on your support as always.
Wishing you all a very happy, healthy
Christmas and here’s to 2022!
Enjoy the game,
Leo.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 11

Joann
Hosey
PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR
BANK OF IRELAND DUBLIN
Welcome to the
Aviva Stadium
for Leinster
Rugby’s first
Heineken
Champions Cup
tie of the season
against Bath.
This match comes hot on the heels
of two recent Interpro matches
against Ulster and Connacht,
which provided some stern
challenges for Leo Cullen and his
squad. No doubt they are looking
forward to facing the different
kind of challenge Bath will pose
today.
Before going any further I must
mention Munster Rugby as they battle
to overcome their own recent Covid
challenges. We hope that the players
and staff who remained behind in South
Africa all the best upon returning home –
and that they enjoy a speedy recovery.
Leinster Rugby has a long history of
playing Bath both in the pool and the
knockout stages of European rugby.
There is huge respect between both clubs
and we are all looking forward to what
I’m sure will be two keenly contested
clashes, both this weekend in Dublin and
again in January 2022 when Leinster
visit the Rec.
Bank of Ireland was delighted to host
a presentation night at the RDS for the
Leinster Rugby Women’s team on Friday,
3 December. Special congratulations
should go to all the players presented
with their Leinster debut caps - and
indeed to all the players given their
representative jerseys on the night. It
was a special occasion to celebrate
their journey to that point and we were
delighted to host this event.
Elsewhere in this match day programme,
Mick Dawson, Leinster Rugby CEO, is
being celebrated for over 20 years at
the helm.
Bank of Ireland would like to extend
its thanks and good wishes to Mick,
someone we have enjoyed an excellent
relationship with over many years. We
congratulate him on reaching this major
milestone and wish him many more years
of success leading the organisation.
A massive amount has been achieved
under his watch over the past two
decades, and I’m sure that he’ll only add
further to his legacy in the years to come
from his UCD base.
Finally, it was wonderful to see the Bank
of Ireland half-time minis return over the
last two weekends, and we look forward
to witnessing more mini action today at
the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster rugby clubs are the foundation
stones of the ‘From The Ground Up’
model, and it is great to be able to
support this wonderful initiative once
again.
JH
Enjoy the game,
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 13

14 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

andrew
porter
the big interview
BY RYAN CORRY
It was hard not to feel
sympathetic towards
how Andrew Porter’s
2020/21 campaign
finished.
From the highest of
highs with his British
and Irish Lions callup
to a crushing low
when he obtained a foot
injury in the Guinness
PRO14 Rainbow Cup
clash with Glasgow
that would rule him
out of the summer
tour to South Africa.
It was professional
sport at its cruellest.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 15

So, while the tour went ahead
despite various difficulties and
obstacles that it endured in
getting played, Porter turned
back to the drawing board
and set to work under the
watchful eye of Leinster Rugby
rehabilitation physiotherapist,
Fearghal Kerin.
“Ah yeah, it was a proud moment for
me getting named in the squad, for my
family, for my girlfriend and myself, it was
incredible just being named in the squad.
Then you had the disappointment, the
bad timing of the injury with my foot. It
was a summer of ups and downs.
“I think I watched maybe the last half of
the last game and that was it. I switched
off from rugby a small bit so that I could
focus on myself over the summer,” Porter
says of the Lions tour.
“I just wanted to get the best out
of my training and my rehab. I
distanced myself from rugby a
bit over the time off and I think
that kind of refreshed my mind
and helped me to get over that
disappointment.
16 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

“The amount of work put in, in particular
from the physios, I was working with
Fearghal, he was great with me in terms
of getting my body right over the summer
and getting my training into me. It helped
me prepare really well for the season.”
And prepare well he has, Porter has
started the new campaign in the same
vein that led to his initial call to join
Warren Gatland and Co but with the
blue and green jerseys on his mind.
The former St Andrew’s College man has
played four games for Leinster with two
tries under his belt, on top of his three
starts for Ireland in the November series
which also featured his name on the
score sheet against Argentina.
Could it be that the anti-climactic end
to the previous season is driving on the
prop now?
In a word: Maybe.
He confesses that the driving factor is
and always has been the desire to do
his best for his teammates, his family and
the supporters every time he pulls on that
jersey but maybe, just maybe, it’s in the
back of his mind.
There’s so much different
opposition in terms of the
European Cup and there’ll be big
challenges ahead but it’s been
very enjoyable for the most
part of it.
“Even if it wasn’t at the forefront of my
mind, I’d say subconsciously I was like
‘Ok, I didn’t get what I wanted out of the
summer so I’m just going to make the best
of what I have got’”, he admits.
“I did a lot of training in my time over the
summer, especially while I was injured to
give myself the best possible chance for
pre-season.”
Part of ‘making the best of it’ has seen
the once loosehead turned tighthead,
return back across the scrum to where he
initially made a name for himself coming
from school into the Ireland U-20 side
and then, finally, with Leinster.
It was a move that many in Irish rugby
circles had been angling for in the media,
an end to the timeshare of the tighthead
slot between himself and Tadhg Furlong,
a way to get both of them into the same
pack.
That wish has been granted and so far,
it’s returned on its promise with both club
and country enjoying good runs of form.
In reverse, we’ve seen Cian Healy this
season turn in performances on the side
of the scrum he has been less familiar
with throughout his career, something
Porter jokes took him years to come
around to.
“It’s been great. It’s where I’ve started out
in terms of school and Irish U-20s, and
where I started out with Leinster as well.
It’s been a lot smoother than I thought it
would be but there’s still a lot of learning
there for me.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 17

“There’s so much different opposition in
terms of the European Cup and there’ll be
big challenges ahead but it’s been very
enjoyable for the most part of it.
“He (Healy) made the switch look a lot
easier than I made it look. It took me a
few years to get the hang of it, it took him
maybe two games,” he laughs.
“It just shows what an incredible player
he is and continues to be for Leinster and
for Ireland as well. It’s a testament to the
amount of work he puts in off the pitch as
well as on it.
“He’s a bit of a freak athlete, one of those
you come across. An incredible player and
an incredible bloke.”
The Leinster Rugby scrum sessions are
not a place for the faint-hearted. On top
of the experience of Porter and Healy,
you have Samoan international Michael
Ala’alatoa now in the mix, as well as Vakh
Abdaladze, Ed Byrne, Michael Milne, Peter
Dooley, Thomas Clarkson, four international
hookers, thanks to Dan Sheehan’s recent
capping, and the newly-crowned best
tighthead in the world, Furlong.
The latter being named in this week’s World
Rugby Men’s Dream Team of the Year in
that number three slot, according to Porter,
is not a surprise to anyone.
“There’s no doubt about that. He’s worked
hard to have that title really so it just shows
how much he puts in and how he performs
on a weekly basis.”
But, he still fancies himself against anyone
when it comes to the training pitch.
“Ah, we’ll call it 50-50 most of the time.
He’s got a lot of experience and he’s a very
smart player in terms of the scrum so we’ll
say 50-50 for the most part,” Porter says of
the battles with Furlong.
“He has me on some days and it’s one of
the best ways to learn. Like I said, with the
players we have, you’re learning from some
of the best players in the world and it’s a
privilege to be a part of.”
That kind of experience will be needed
today as Leinster Rugby open their
Heineken Champions Cup campaign
against Gallagher Premiership side, Bath.
This season hasn’t gone to plan for Stuart
Hooper’s squad so far as they sit rooted to
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 19

the bottom of the table without a win in
their nine games to date.
However, the calibre of player at their
disposal as well as the raucous and
intimidating nature of their home ground,
The Rec, means that there is no certainty
that their league form will impede their
European ambitions this year.
“They might not have had the best start
in the Premiership but we won’t be taking
them for granted. They could be using the
Champions Cup as a clean slate and be
looking to put in a huge performance.
“So, we’re expecting a big game this
weekend and when we go away to them
in January. We certainly won’t be taking
them lightly, we’ll be bringing our best
performance to the Aviva.”
However, Porter and Leinster will have
ambitions of their own in the Heineken
Champions Cup this year following
a disappointing semi-final loss to La
Rochelle in France earlier in 2021.
When your goal coming into a
competition is to bring home silverware,
each year that passes without doing that
is viewed as a failure.
The goal once more this year is to reach
that decider in Marseille, but that journey
starts today in Ballsbridge at Aviva
Stadium.
“There’s a lot of lads in Leinster that have
had the chance of getting their hands
on a European Cup winners medal
and the trophy. It’s an incredible
feeling, it’s so hard to describe
the pride and the amazing
feeling of being able
to call yourselves the
Champions of Europe.
“That’s what we want,
we want that feeling
again, and we want that for everyone
in Leinster supporting us too. That starts
by going out there and giving our best
performances to get that silverware.
20 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

“It’s about making our fans excited,
especially after not having them for so
long. We want to give them special days,
days to remember, and that comes by
putting out performances that we can be
proud of, playing for them. It’s about that,
especially at home and we have another
job to do this week in the Aviva.”
Being in the Aviva also means that crowd
will be larger than your typical home
match week, and with Christmas just
around the corner, the festive mood has
already started to creep in around the
country, and particularly among rugby
fans who can look forward to the start of
the European campaigns as well as the
action-packed interprovincial calendar.
With clashes against Ulster and
Connacht at the RDS already played in
the past two weeks, this represents the
last opportunity for supporters to come
out and support the lads at home in
2021, something Porter remembers doing
from his own childhood.
That’s what
we want, we
want that
feeling again,
and we want
that for
everyone
in Leinster
supporting
us too. That
starts
by going
out there
and giving
our best
performances
to get that
silverware.
“I remember when I was younger having
so much fun at the Christmas games in
particular. I think Santa dropped in at
half-time at one of the games, I can’t
remember which one, but I remember I
loved it.
“And even playing in our second home
at the Aviva, it’s a class venue to be in to
kick off the European campaign.
“Being out there in front of your home
fans and hearing the noise they create,
it’s something that we’ve really missed
over the last two years with everything
that’s been going on. The difference in
terms of the atmosphere, it’s like playing
in front of a crowd for the first time again.
It’s really special. It’s hard to describe but
it’s bloody incredible.”
As well as his playing career, there’s a
lot going on off the field, studying for
his final year of an Economics degree
and working alongside the Irish Cancer
Society as an ambassador.
One of his recent collaborations with the
charity saw him design a facemask which
is a regular feature in the stands at the
RDS Arena and Aviva Stadium where
face coverings are still required at games.
“I’m not involved in anything personally
with them at the moment but the Irish
Cancer Society always have great
campaigns.
“This year they have this great Christmas
ornament so it’s a good campaign in the
run-up to Christmas and it’s also a lovely
gift for a great cause as well.”
Two weeks of European rugby starts
today at Aviva Stadium before a trip to
Thomond Park on St Stephen’s Day.
In between, there’ll be a quiet Christmas
spent with some family and his girlfriend,
Elaine, a time of year he always enjoys
both at home and at work.
“In normal circumstances, it’s great being
able to see a lot of people, family and
everything, then have the day off for
Christmas Day,” he says.
“It’s a nice time of the year. It’s also a
good time to be playing rugby.”
Once that’s out of the way, we’ll be into
a new year and the hunt for silverware
heats up once again.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 21

Action
replay 47 19
LEINSTER:
Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry
Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw (Tommy
O’Brien 54), James Lowe; Harry Byrne
(Ross Byrne 61), Luke McGrath (Nick
McCarthy 61); Cian Healy (Andrew
Porter 41), Dan Sheehan (Rónan
Kelleher 49), Michael Ala’alatoa (Vakh
Abdaladze 65); Ryan Baird, Devin Toner
(Josh Murphy 58); Rhys Ruddock, Josh
van der Flier, Caelan Doris
(Max Deegan 56).
SCORERS:
Tries: Rhys Ruddock, Garry Ringrose, Dan
Sheehan, Jordan Larmour, Caelan Doris,
Ryan Baird, Max Deegan.
Cons: Harry Byrne (5), Ross Byrne.
SATURDAY, 3 DECEMBER
RDS ARENA
ATTENDANCE: 14,127
UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
CONNACHT:
Oran McNulty; Alex Wootton, Sammy
Arnold (Tom Farrell 54), Peter Robb,
Mack Hansen; Jack Carty (Conor
Fitzgerald 70), Kieran Marmion (Caolin
Blade 58); Matthew Burke (Jordan
Duggan 58), Heffernan (Shane Delahunt
49), Finlay Bealham (Jack Auniger
45); Leva Fifita, Ultan Dillane (Cian
Prendergast 49); Eoghan Masterson,
Conor Oliver (Sean Masterson 68),
Jarrad Butler.
SCORERS:
Tries: Mack Hansen, Sammy Arnold,
Conor Oliver.
Cons: Jack Carty (2).
22 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

We looked a bit
scrappy, lacking
some cohesion
at the start.
Connacht a good
attacking team.
We got better
control as the
first half went
on. The tries
either side of
half-time were
important for
us.
Leo Cullen
Connacht are
a brilliant
side but we
weren’t happy
with last
week so this
week was
about getting
the basics
right and
putting in a
performance.
Josh van der Flier
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 23

Leinster Senior
Women’s Squad
Honoured at Bank
of Ireland Event
Prior to kick-off in the Leinster v
Connacht game on December 3 the
Leinster Senior Women’s squad
were presented with jerseys at an
event in the RDS Library.
MC for the evening, Sene Naoupu
welcomed the players and their family
members. Thirty-four players from eight
clubs formed the squad captained by
Christy Haney which defeated Connacht
in The Sportsgrounds, Ulster in the RDS
and lost to Munster in Energia Park in a
thrilling series decider.
Also on the night, five players from four
clubs were presented with their first cap
by Leinster Branch president John Walsh.
Emily McKeown (Naas RFC) Mary Healy
(Naas RFC), Emma Murphy (Railway
Union RFC), Ella Roberts (Wicklow RFC),
Alice O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC).
Leinster Branch President, John Walsh,
congratulated those receiving jerseys and
their first caps.
In speaking about girls and women’s
rugby in the province, John said,
“We currently have 70 Girls teams
competing in 15 Leinster competitions
and further supported by additional Area
competitions.
“There are significant benefits and
opportunities for our clubs to develop this
sector of the sport. We currently have 32
Leinster Clubs fielding women’s teams
that compete in nine Leinster women’s
competitions.”
John acknowledged the hard work
and dedication of the coaching and
management team.
Phil De Barra (Head Coach)
Tom McKeown (Forwards Coach)
Stephen Maher (Backs Coach)
Maz Reilly (Lineout Coach)
Charl Malherb (Defence Coach)
Ben Watson (Skills and Kicking Coach)
Aaron O’Connor (Strength and
Conditioning Coach)
Martin Quinn (Video Analyst)
Lorna Quinn (Manager)
Shane Martens (Assistant Manager)
Paula Murphy, Head of Strategic
Sponsorship and Corporate and
Social Responsibility at Bank of Ireland
presented jerseys to the squad.
Aine Donnelly
Old Belvedere RFC
Ali Coleman
Blackrock RFC
Alice O'Dowd *
Old Belvedere RFC
Chloe Blackmore
Railway Union RFC
Christy Haney
Blackrock RFC
Clodagh Dunne
Old Belvedere RFC
Caoimhe Molloy
Blackrock RFC
Elaine Anthony
Old Belvedere RFC
Elise O'Byrne-White
Old Belvedere RFC
Ella Roberts *
Wicklow RFC
Emily Mckeown *
Naas RFC
Emma Murphy *
Railway Union RFC
Grace Miller
Old Belvedere RFC
Jennie Finlay
Old Belvedere RFC
Jenny Murphy
Old Belvedere RFC
Lauren Farrell McCabe
Suttonians RFC
Lisa Callan
Railway Union RFC
Mairead Holohan
Blackrock RFC
Meabh O'Brien
Suttonians RFC
Michelle Claffey
Blackrock RFC
24 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Molly Scuffil McCabe
Railway Union RFC
Niamh Byrne
Railway Union RFC
Nikki Caughey
Railway Union RFC
Rachel Horan
CYM RFC
Vic O Mahony
Old Belvedere RFC
Mary Healy*
Naas RFC
Judy Bobbett
Blackrock RFC
Ailbhe Dowling
Old Belvedere RFC
Ciara Faulkner
MU Barnhall RFC
Grace Tutty
CYM RFC
Holly Leach
MU Barnhall RFC
Katelynn Doran
MU Barnhall RFC
*Denotes first cap
Old Belvedere RFC’s Jenny Murphy was
presented with the Leinster Women’s
Committee Player of the Series award by
Women’s Chairperson, Eugene Noble.
Speaking about the event Eugene said,
“The Leinster Cap and Jersey Presentation
event held in the beautiful surroundings
of the RDS Library on December 3 was a
great celebration of all that is good with
rugby in Leinster - celebrating the players
and the journey that they have taken to
play interprovincial rugby for Leinster.
“It is also an important milestone on the
journey that lies ahead of them. Each of
the players bring honour to themselves,
their families and their clubs but perhaps
more importantly they are the role models
for those young players that look to play
as they play, they see them and they want
to be them, so that some will fill those
Leinster Rugby jerseys in years to come.”
Thanks to Bank of Ireland for their
continued support of women’s rugby.
A full gallery of photos from the event can
be found now on leinsterrugby.ie
CONNACHT 12 LEINSTER 17
The Sportsgrounds
Saturday, 28 August, 2021
LEINSTER 57 ULSTER 12
Energia Park
Saturday, 4 September, 2021
LEINSTER 7 MUNSTER 19
Energia Park
Saturday, 11 September, 2021
If you are
interested in
taking up rugby
or you would like
to follow our
updates, check out
our social media
channels:
Leinster Women’s Rugby
LeinsterWomensRugby
@LeinsterWomen
womenspro@leinsterrugby.ie
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 25

Unbeatable offers
on our new Nissan range.
Drive a new Nissan from just €45 per week with
3.9% APR finance across the range.
Or switch to electric with 0% finance on Nissan LEAF!
Book an appointment today!
Windsor Motors are proud partners of
Leinster Rugby as Official Vehicle Supplier.

SHOP THE 2021/22 LEINSTER RUGBY RANGE NOW,
EXCLUSIVELY AT LIFE STYLE SPORTS
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 27

leo
the lion’s
kids
corner
IN A BLUR!
Can you name this
leinster player?
spot the difference!
Can you find all six?
ANAGRAMS
Can you un-jumble the names of these players?
NEVER AD
A KEY
AD A HEN
HENS
how did you do?
IN A BLUR?
ANDREW PORTER
ANAGRAMS
DAVE KEARNEY
DAN SHEEHAN
ZOOMED IN!
JAMES RYAN
zoomed in!
WHo is this leinster
player having an
extreme close-up?
28 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

AJ Products provides unique
solutions for office,
warehouse and
environment
www.ajproducts.ie

AZTO
with
Jordan Larmour
A – Action: If you could be a
superhero, which would you be?
Flash - because he’s fast!
B – Boyhood: Who was your favourite
sporting idol growing up?
Brian O’Driscoll
C – Childhood: What is your favourite
childhood memory?
Family holidays
D – Dish: What’s your go-to pre-match
meal?
Overnight oats
E – Education: What was your
favourite subject in school?
Business
F – Film buff: What’s your favourite
film?
The Big Short
G – Groove: Who is the best dancer in
the squad?
Ed Byrne
H – Holiday: What’s your favourite
holiday destination?
Portugal
I – Inside: Who is the worst to sit
beside in the dressing room?
Ciarán Frawley
J – Joker: Who is the funniest in the
squad?
Dan Leavy
K – Kick-off: What’s your favourite
time of the day to play a match?
Three o’clock
L – Languages: How many languages
can you speak?
One
M – Music: Your favourite artist and
song right now?
Dermot Kennedy - Better Days
N – Number: Do you have a lucky
number?
No lucky number!
30 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

O – Others: What’s your favourite
sport outside of rugby?
Golf
P – Pal: Who is your best mate in
the squad?
Everyone
Q – Quirky: Who has the most
interesting fashion sense?
Jack Dunne
R – Red Carpet: Who is the most
famous contact in your phone?
Johnny Sexton
S – Superstitions: Do you have any
matchday routines?
Nope
T – Trim: What’s the worst haircut
you’ve ever had?
Dying my hair blonde and it
turning orange!
U: Under pressure: Who in the
squad would be the best in a bad
situation?
Garry Ringrose
V – Verified: How often do you use
social media?
Every day
W – Worst fear: What are
you most scared of?
Rats
X – X-ray: Have you ever
broken any bones?
No - touch wood!
Y – Youth: Where did you
grow up?
Dublin
Z – Zoo: What’s your
favourite animal?
Dogs
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 31

Did you
know?
• Leinster and Bath have
met 11 times previously
in the Heineken Champions
Cup, the Irish province
winning nine of those
encounters (L2).
• At home Leinster have
won five of their six
Heineken Champions Cup
games against Bath, the
Premiership side’s sole
victory coming in
October 2005, a narrow
22-19 win at the RDS.
• Bath’s next defeat in the
Heineken Champions Cup
will be their 50th, the
4th Premiership club to
notch up as many defeats
in the competition
(Leicester, Northampton,
Harlequins).
COMPARISON
head-to-head record:
Played 11, Leinster won 9, bath won 2, no draws.
LEINSTER RUGBY LAST 3 MEETINGS BATH RUGBY
42 15/12/2018 LEINSTER RUGBY VS BATH RUGBY 15
17 08/12/2018 BATH RUGBY VS LEINSTER RUGBY 10
25 16/01/2016 LEINSTER RUGBY VS BATH RUGBY 11
PLAYED
179
(93 home, 86 away)
PLAYED
105
(52 home, 53 away)
• Josh van der Flier was
the top tackler in the
Heineken Champions Cup
last season, making 65
tackles across his four
appearances, with only
three players winning
more turnovers than the
Leinsterman (4).
• Johnny Sexton (Leinster
Rugby) needs one more
point to become the
fourth player to score
700 points in the
history of the Heineken
Champions Cup (Ronan
O’Gara, Stephen Jones,
Owen Farrell).
WINS
122
(75 home, 47 away)
LOSSES
52
(17 home, 35 away)
DRAWS
5
(1 home, 4 away)
AVERAGE POINTS
26
BIGGEST WIN
92 - 17
HEAVIEST DEFEAT
10 - 51
WINS
54
(32 home, 22 away)
LOSSES
49
(19 home, 30 away)
DRAWS
2
(1 home, 1 away)
AVERAGE POINTS
22
BIGGEST WIN
56 - 15
HEAVIEST DEFEAT
0 - 28
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 35

leinster
squad
2021/22 season
Vakh Abdaladze #1263
PROP
DOB: 06/02/1996
HEIGHT: 1.88m
WEIGHT: 121kg
Michael Ala’alatoa #1301
prop
DOB: 28/08/1991
HEIGHT: 1.91m
WEIGHT: 127kg
7
CAPS
Ryan Baird #1278
LOCK
DOB: 26/07/1999
HEIGHT: 1.98m
WEIGHT: 103.18kg
6
CAPS
Adam Byrne #1213
WING / FULL BACK
DOB: 10/04/1994
HEIGHT: 1.91m
WEIGHT: 98.18kg
1
CAP
Ed Byrne #1222
6
CAPS
Harry Byrne #1280
2
CAPS
Ross Byrne #1236
13
CAPS
Thomas Clarkson
PROP
DOB: 09/09/1993
HEIGHT: 1.8m
WEIGHT: 114.09kg
FLY HALF
DOB: 22/04/1999
HEIGHT: 1.9m
WEIGHT: 95kg
FLY HALF
DOB: 08/04/1995
HEIGHT: 1.9m
WEIGHT: 92kg
PROP
DOB: 22/02/2000
HEIGHT: 1.85m
WEIGHT: 118kg
36 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Jack Conan #1223
22
CAPS
7
CAPS
Will Connors #1264
9
CAPS
Sean Cronin #1202
72
CAPS
Max Deegan #1256
1
CAP
NO. 8
DOB: 29/07/1992
HEIGHT: 1.93m
WEIGHT: 114.09kg
BACK ROW
DOB: 04/04/1996
HEIGHT: 1.96m
WEIGHT: 100kg
HOOKER
DOB: 06/05/1986
HEIGHT: 1.78m
WEIGHT: 103.18kg
NO. 8
DOB: 01/10/1996
HEIGHT: 1.93m
WEIGHT: 110kg
Peter Dooley #1230
Caelan Doris #1268
12
CAPS
Jack Dunne #1276
Ciaran Frawley #1265
PROP
DOB: 04/08/1994
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 117kg
BACK ROW
DOB: 02/04/1998
HEIGHT: 1.93m
WEIGHT: 107kg
LOCK
DOB: 21/11/1998
HEIGHT: 2.03m
WEIGHT: 120kg
FLY HALF
DOB: 04/12/1997
HEIGHT: 1.91m
WEIGHT: 98kg
Tadhg Furlong #1220
PROP
DOB: 14/11/1992
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 125kg
52
CAPS
13
CAPS
Jamison Gibson-Park #1247
SCRUM HALF
DOB: 23/02/1992
HEIGHT: 1.75m
WEIGHT: 80kg
12
CAPS
David Hawkshaw #1290
FLY HALF / Centre
DOB: 03/07/1999
HEIGHT: 1.75m )
WEIGHT: 85.91kg
Cian Healy #1142
PROP
DOB: 07/10/1987
HEIGHT: 1.85m
WEIGHT: 116.82kg
112
CAPS
2
CAPS
Robbie Henshaw #1251
53
CAPS
9
CAPS
Dave Kearney #1158
19
CAPS
Hugo Keenan #1253
16
CAPS
Ronan Kelleher #1277
16
CAPS
CENTRE
DOB: 12/06/1993
HEIGHT: 1.9m
WEIGHT: 99.09kg
WING / FULL BACK
DOB: 19/06/1989
HEIGHT: 1.8m
WEIGHT: 90kg
FULL BACK
DOB: 18/06/1996
HEIGHT: 1.85m
WEIGHT: 91.82kg
HOOKER
DOB: 24/01/1998
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 105kg
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 37

Jordan Larmour #1258
30
CAPS
Dan Leavy #1231
11
CAPS
WING
DOB: 10/06/1997
HEIGHT: 1.78m
WEIGHT: 90kg
FLANKER
DOB: 23/05/1994
HEIGHT: 1.91m
WEIGHT: 105.91kg
for full squad profiles
please click here
James Lowe #1262
9
CAPS
Nick McCarthy #1241
Luke McGrath #1206
19
CAPS
Michael Milne #1279
WING / FULL BACK
DOB: 08/07/1992
HEIGHT: 1.88m
WEIGHT: 105kg
SCRUM HALF
DOB: 25/03/1995
HEIGHT: 1.8m
WEIGHT: 84.09kg
SCRUM HALF
DOB: 03/02/1993
HEIGHT: 1.75m
WEIGHT: 84.09kg
PROP
DOB: 05/02/1999
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 115kg
Jimmy O’Brien #1272
Conor O’Brien #1260
Josh Murphy #1261
Ross Molony #1233
LOCK
DOB: 11/05/1994
HEIGHT: 1.96m
WEIGHT: 113kg
FLANKER
DOB: 17/02/1995
HEIGHT: 1.98m
WEIGHT: 110kg
CENTRE
DOB: 06/02/1996
HEIGHT: 1.91m
WEIGHT: 100kg
CENTRE
DOB: 27/11/1996
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 88kg
Tommy O’Brien #1283
Rory O’Loughlin #1248
1
CAP
Scott Penny #1271
Andrew Porter #1246
40
CAPS
CENTRE
DOB: 28/05/1998
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 95kg
CENTRE
DOB: 21/01/1994
HEIGHT: 1.88m
WEIGHT: 94.09kg
FLANKER
DOB: 22/09/1999
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 104kg
PROP
DOB: 16/01/1996
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 114.09kg
38 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Garry Ringrose #1237
37
CAPS
Rhys Ruddock #1167
27
CAPS
James Ryan #1259
40
CAPS
Johnny Sexton #1127
101
CAPS
14
CAPS
CENTRE
DOB: 26/01/1995
HEIGHT: 1.85m
WEIGHT: 96kg
BACK ROW
DOB: 13/11/1990
HEIGHT: 1.91m
WEIGHT: 113.18kg
LOCK
DOB: 24/07/1996
HEIGHT: 2.03m
WEIGHT: 115kg
FLY HALF
DOB: 11/07/1985
HEIGHT: 1.88m
WEIGHT: 90kg
Dan Sheehan #1286
HOOKER
DOB: 17/09/1998
HEIGHT: 1.91m
WEIGHT: 110.91kg
2
CAPS
Devin Toner #1128
LOCK
DOB: 29/06/1986
HEIGHT: 2.11m
WEIGHT: 127kg
70
CAPS
James Tracy #1211
HOOKER
DOB: 02/04/1991
HEIGHT: 1.83m
WEIGHT: 106kg
6
CAPS
Josh van der Flier #1228
FLANKER
DOB: 25/04/1993
HEIGHT: 1.85m
WEIGHT: 103kg
35
CAPS
Coaching
Staff
2021/22 season
LEO CULLEN
HEAD COACH
STUART LANCASTER
SENIOR COACH
ROBIN MCBRYDE
ASSISTANT COACH
FELIPE CONTEPOMI
BACKS COACH
EMMET FARRELL
KICKING COACH AND
LEAD PERFORMANCE ANALYST
GUY EASTERBY
HEAD OF RUGBY OPERATIONS
DENIS LEAMY
CONTACT SKILLS COACH
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 39

looking after you always
The Official Health
and Wellbeing
Partner to
Leinser Rugby
Always a beat ahead
layahealthcare.ie

Your best support every season
Managed IT Services IT Disaster Recovery
Managed IT Security Services Cloud Services
Delivering bespoke IT services from concept, delivery and support
support@lantech.ie
www.lantech.ie
OFFICIAL
IT PARTNER

Girls rugby numbers thriving at
St Mary’s
College RFC
St Mary’s
College, over
the past
number of
years, have
focused on the
redevelopment
and growth
of the female
rugby-playing
community in
the club. This
is a key focus
for the club
as they aim to
ensure female
involvement
at all levels
throughout
the club.
In the past eight months St Mary’s
started a recruitment process
for the Give it a Try Programme,
noticing a huge uptake for girls
rugby in the area.
Over the summer months of the
programme, they were able to teach
the fundamental skills of rugby, all while
watching numbers grow session by
session.
Within a few months, the club have been
able to field teams at U-8, U-10 and
U-12.
The girls marked their first match of the
season at home to Seapoint RFC in
October.
This was the first match ever for almost
all of the girls and all in attendance
were very impressed by the skills and
capabilities shown by both teams.
In early November, they travelled to
Greystones RFC for another great game
where the girls continued to develop and
grow a deep love for the sport.
The club have found a key part of the
recruitment process is to consistently add
elements of ‘fun’ to the training while still
gaining key skills.
As well as fun on the training pitch, it’s
important that they are having fun off
the pitch too. So far this year, they have
already had a team day out to Energia
Park to watch the women’s interprovincial
matches, as well as supporting the Irish
women in the RDS in their fantastic
Autumn Series performances.
The support and encouragement that
the girls have received so far has been
incredible and has only motivated the
team and coaches even further.
St Mary’s have been incredibly lucky
with amazing volunteers coming from explayers
at senior and youths levels as well
as locals and parents – all turning out on
a weekly basis to help guide this growing
bunch of players.
The goal as a club is to continue to build
each team from here - welcoming female
players from seven years of age right
through to 18 and over as they hope to
build a senior women’s team in 2022.
As it stands, in 2021 alone, they have
increased the female playing population
by over 200 per cent and have no
plans to stop there as they welcome new
players on a weekly basis.
They see the growth being reflective
of the positive campaign around the
participation of girls and women in sport
generally as well as the trojan work
being done on the ground by the players,
parents, coaches and media volunteers.
More information about training is
available by emailing girlsrugby@
smcrfc.com or contacting the club
through any of the social media pages.
42 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

THE GREATEST WEEKEND IN RUGBY
27-28 MAY, STADE VÉLODROME

Mother and daughter duo make
history for Tallaght Women
Tallaght Rugby Club was set up
in 2002 as part of the ‘Tallaght
Project’, an IRFU initiative
designed to introduce rugby in
non-traditional areas. The teams
at the time were a mixture of boy
and girl youth teams and a male
senior team.
Not to be left out of the action, Tallaght
women’s rugby team started out as a
development social team in 2011. A team
of women culminating of friends, family,
even wives and girlfriends of senior men
players, the level of competitiveness and
passion saw the team grow from a social
league to Division 5 of the Leinster Metro
League.
Long time player and Women’s
Development Officer/Captain Martina
Fitzpatrick has been part of the women’s
setup for the last 10 years. Player, coach,
mammy and head of women’s recruitment
for the team, it was no surprise to see her
love and passion for the game rub off on
her eldest daughter Abbie Keeley.
A keen out-half, Abbie grew from
the Tallaght RFC youth division and
flourished to play U-18 with the Bistos
(a team combined with Tallaght RFC,
Old Belvedere and St Mary’s College
RFC). Martina and Abbie both adore the
sport for it is a fantastic way to keep fit,
make friends, gain new skills and for its
inclusivity.
Something which is very important to
Abbie: “I have been playing rugby for
the last 10 years so it is a big part of
my life. I’ve always felt at home with my
rugby team, always felt welcome on the
pitch. Everyone has always been so kind
so welcoming and supportive of me, it’s
just really uplifting. Rugby really helped
me with my confidence, with my diversity,
and my identity as well, there really is no
sport like it for me”
On October 10, 2021, in the first league
game of the season, club history was
made. For the first time ever, Tallaght
RFC proudly welcomed their first parent
and child pairing on field in mother and
daughter duo, Martina and Abbie.
In an incredibly emotional and inspiring
performance Tallaght RFC Women
secured their first win of the season at
home and the icing on the cake? Abbie
playing full-back, scored her first try as a
senior women’s player for the club on the
pitch with her mam watching on.
Skipper Martina is a firm believer that
rugby is for everyone and welcomes
anyone thinking of taking up the sport to
go for it as soon as they feel the interest.
“As a woman and mother of two girls,
taking part in sport has always been
important to me. I firmly believe that no
matter what body type or experience that
you have, there is a place for you on the
pitch. I had watched rugby for years but
never thought of taking it up but a chance
meeting led to me starting rugby in my
mid-30s and I have loved every minute
of it since. My only regret is not starting
sooner. I’m so glad that I did and to say
that I’ve played rugby with my daughter
by my side is just incredible”
Tallaght RFC Women are so grateful to
their wonderful sponsors in PeachyLean
and Inivo Medical. Their support on and
off the field is massively important to the
ladies as looking and feeling part of a
team means everything to them.
Tallaght Senior Women always welcome
players to their team. If you are new and
eager to take up the sport, or simply
looking to pull your boots back on, look
no further come and join the team today
by contacting Martina on 086 842
5657. Check them out on social media
and follow their journey.
F
I
T
Facebook:
Tallaght RFC
Instagram:
Tallaght_Rugby
Twitter:
@TallaghtRFC
44 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Cheslin Kolbe last season, Juan Imhoff in 2019/20
and Maxime Médard in 2018/19. Consider the
star quality of the last three overall winners of
the Champions Try of the Round and you know
that the competition to find the best try of this
Heineken Champions Cup season will feature
some of the biggest names in the world game.
Kolbe’s was awarded the accolade in 2020/21
for a breathtaking score against Ulster Rugby in
Round 1. Taking a pass from Thomas Ramos, the
former Stade Toulousain wing beat two Ulster
defenders, kicked over another and collected
after two bounces to slide over the whitewash in
remarkable fashion.
Fans were given the opportunity to vote for
the best tries selected from Rounds 1 and 2,
the Round of 16, the quarter-finals, as well as
Juan Cruz Mallia’s score during the final at
Twickenham, before Kolbe emerged as the
overall winner.
Last season, the Champions Try of the Round
competition was largely dominated by players
from TOP 14 clubs. What will happen this
season? Which outstanding players will make
the difference? Which tries will get the fans’ vote
along with the verdict of a panel of renowned
rugby experts.
Each Monday following match weekends, a
shortlist of five tries will be selected by EPCR
and opened to public vote with fans having the
chance to win some great prizes.
This will be the perfect opportunity to watch the
best Heineken Champions Cup tries over and
over again and to vote for The One to Win.
CHAMPIONS TRY OF THE ROUND
WINNERS 2020/21
Round 1/Champions Try of the Season:
Cheslin Kolbe
Stade Toulousain v Ulster Rugby
Round 2: Alivereti Raka
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Munster Rugby
Round of 16: Antoine Dupont
Stade Toulousain v Munster Rugby
Quarter-Final: Grégory Alldritt
Stade Rochelais v Sale Sharks
EPCRUGBY.COM/TOTR

compiled by stuart farmer
media services limited
Leinster Player
Statistics
SQUAD
CAP
NO
DEBUT
2021/22 SEASON FOR LEINSTER LEINSTER CAREER
ALL GAMES URC EPCR ALL GAMES PRO14/URC EPCR
App Try Pts App Try Pts App Try Pts App Try Pts App Try Pts App Try Pts
SINCE LAST TRY
CAPS
VAKH ABDALADZE 1263 2 DEC 17 0+2 - - 0+2 - - - - - 0+14 1 5 0+14 1 5 - - - 13 -
MICHAEL ALA'ALATOA 1301 25 SEP 21 4+2 - - 4+2 - - - - - 4+2 - - 4+2 - - - - - - WS 7
RYAN BAIRD 1278 27 APR 19 3+3 1 5 3+3 1 5 - - - 15+18 7 35 14+14 7 35 1+4 - - 1 IR 6
ADAM BYRNE 1213 29 DEC 12 3 3 15 3 3 15 - - - 52+8 23 115 42+8 17 85 10 6 30 2 IR 1
ED BYRNE 1222 9 FEB 14 2+3 1 5 2+3 1 5 - - - 21+54 11 55 21+43 10 50 0+11 1 5 3 IR 6
HARRY BYRNE 1280 28 SEP 19 2+1 - 10 2+1 - 10 - - - 16+11 6 164 16+10 6 159 0+1 - 5 6 IR 2
ROSS BYRNE 1236 4 SEP 15 3+3 1 33 3+3 1 33 - - - 73+37 7 683 61+21 3 504 12+16 4 179 6 IR 13
THOMAS CLARK-
1285 29 AUG 20 - - - - - - - - - 2+8 - - 2+8 - - - - - - -
SON
JACK CONAN 1223 20 FEB 14 2 - - 2 - - - - - 82+25 23 115 61+15 16 80 21+10 7 35 3 IR 22
WILL CONNORS 1264 9 FEB 18 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - 17+7 2 10 16+7 2 10 1 - - 11 IR 9
TIM CORKERY 1298 12 MAR 21 - - - - - - - - - 0+2 - - 0+2 - - - - - - -
SEAN CRONIN 1202 28 OCT 11 1+1 1 5 1+1 1 5 - - - 121+76 43 215 77+55 26 130 43+19 16 80 2 IR 72
MAX DEEGAN 1256 3 DEC 16 1+4 2 10 1+4 2 10 - - - 36+34 20 100 33+26 18 90 3+8 2 10 1 IR 1
PETER DOOLEY 1230 31 OCT 14 0+2 - - 0+2 - - - - - 40+55 5 25 38+49 5 25 2+6 - - 10 -
CAELAN DORIS 1268 28 APR 18 4 2 10 4 2 10 - - - 36+8 7 35 30+6 5 25 6+2 2 10 1 IR 12
JACK DUNNE 1276 16 FEB 19 - - - - - - - - - 2+13 - - 2+13 - - - - - - -
CORMAC FOLEY 1299 24 APR 21 - - - - - - - - - 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - - -
CIARAN FRAWLEY 1265 17 FEB 18 5+1 - 2 5+1 - 2 - - - 22+19 4 145 21+15 3 134 1+4 1 11 11 -
TADHG FURLONG 1220 1 NOV 13 3 - - 3 - - - - - 76+41 8 40 45+33 3 15 31+8 5 25 6 IR 52
JAMISON GIBSON-PARK 1247 2 SEP 16 2+2 - - 2+2 - - - - - 51+54 17 85 46+30 14 70 5+24 3 15 9 IR 12
MARCUS HANAN 1295 19 FEB 21 - - - - - - - - - 0+3 - - 0+3 - - - - - - -
DAVID HAWKSHAW 1290 2 NOV 20 - - - - - - - - - 0+8 1 14 0+8 1 14 - - - 4 -
CIAN HEALY 1142 5 MAY 07 2+4 1 5 2+4 1 5 - - - 158+79 28 140 92+52 14 70 64+26 13 65 3 IR 112
ROBBIE HENSHAW 1251 8 OCT 16 2 1 5 2 1 5 - - - 58+1 12 60 27 6 30 31+1 6 30 2 IR 53
DAVE KEARNEY 1158 16 MAY 09 - - - - - - - - - 147+22 51 255 121+15 44 220 25+6 7 35 7 IR 19
HUGO KEENAN 1253 5 NOV 16 5 1 5 5 1 5 - - - 32+3 5 25 27+3 5 25 5 - - 2 IR 16
RONAN KELLEHER 1277 22 FEB 19 2+2 3 15 2+2 3 15 - - - 22+7 12 60 16+5 11 55 6+2 1 5 2 IR 16
JORDAN LARMOUR 1258 2 SEP 17 4 2 10 4 2 10 - - - 56+10 21 105 35+7 16 80 21+3 5 25 1 IR 30
DAN LEAVY 1231 31 OCT 14 3+1 - - 3+1 - - - - - 46+30 17 85 38+20 13 65 8+10 4 20 5 IR 11
46 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

SQUAD
CAP
NO
DEBUT
2021/22 SEASON FOR LEINSTER LEINSTER CAREER
ALL GAMES URC EPCR ALL GAMES PRO14/URC EPCR
App Try Pts App Try Pts App Try Pts App Try Pts App Try Pts App Try Pts
SINCE LAST TRY
CAPS
JAMES LOWE 1262 2 DEC 17 4 - - 4 - - - - - 56 34 170 38 25 125 18 9 45 7 IR 9
NICK MCCARTHY 1241 19 DEC 15 0+4 - - 0+4 - - - - - 6+34 4 20 6+28 4 20 0+6 - - 9 -
LUKE MCGRATH 1206 5 MAY 12 5+1 - - 5+1 - - - - - 107+50 39 195 74+44 31 155 33+6 8 40 8 IR 19
MICHAEL MILNE 1279 28 SEP 19 - - - - - - - - - 1+15 2 10 1+15 2 10 - - - 14 -
MARTIN MOLONEY 1300 24 APR 21 - - - - - - - - - 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - - -
ROSS MOLONY 1233 20 FEB 15 5+1 - - 5+1 - - - - - 69+53 4 20 67+38 4 20 2+15 - - 8 -
JOSH MURPHY 1261 3 NOV 17 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - 42+8 5 25 41+7 4 20 1+1 1 5 10 -
JAMIE OSBORNE 1294 30 JAN 21 1+2 - - 1+2 - - - - - 3+6 1 5 3+6 1 5 - - - 4 -
CONOR O'BRIEN 1260 3 NOV 17 1 - - 1 - - - - - 17+7 6 30 17+6 6 30 0+1 - - 10 -
JIMMY O'BRIEN 1272 23 NOV 18 2 - - 2 - - - - - 28+9 7 37 26+9 6 32 2 1 5 3 -
SEAN O'BRIEN 1297 12 MAR 21 - - - - - - - - - 0+2 - - 0+2 - - - - - - -
TOMMY O'BRIEN 1283 20 DEC 19 0+3 - - 0+3 - - - - - 4+8 3 15 4+8 3 15 - - - 8 -
RORY O'LOUGHLIN 1248 2 SEP 16 2 - - 2 - - - - - 66+23 21 105 59+15 18 90 7+8 3 15 32 IR 1
MAX O'REILLY 1291 2 JAN 21 - - - - - - - - - 6+1 1 5 6+1 1 5 - - - 6 -
SCOTT PENNY 1271 23 NOV 18 2 1 5 2 1 5 - - - 25+6 17 85 25+6 17 85 - - - 2 -
ANDREW PORTER 1246 2 SEP 16 3+1 2 10 3+1 2 10 - - - 31+50 13 65 26+31 10 50 5+19 3 15 2 IR 40
GARRY RINGROSE 1237 12 SEP 15 5 1 5 5 1 5 - - - 89+2 28 148 57+1 17 93 32+1 11 55 1 IR 37
RHYS RUDDOCK 1167 6 DEC 09 5+2 1 5 5+2 1 5 - - - 148+47 12 60 111+33 10 50 36+12 2 10 1 IR 27
ROB RUSSELL 1302 3 OCT 21 1+1 - - 1+1 - - - - - 1+1 - - 1+1 - - - - - - -
JAMES RYAN 1259 2 SEP 17 3 - - 3 - - - - - 47+6 3 15 25+1 1 5 22+5 2 10 13 IR 40
JOHNNY SEXTON 1127 27 JAN 06 2+1 - 22 2+1 - 22 - - - 150+26 26 1529 89+20 13 855 59+6 12 643 16 IR 101
DAN SHEEHAN 1286 23 OCT 20 3+2 4 20 3+2 4 20 - - - 6+12 10 50 6+12 10 50 - - - 1 IR 2
ANDREW SMITH 1292 2 JAN 21 - - - - - - - - - 1+1 - - 1+1 - - - - - - -
ALEX SOROKA 1296 28 FEB 21 - - - - - - - - - 1+1 - - 1+1 - - - - - - -
DEVIN TONER 1128 27 JAN 06 3+1 - - 3+1 - - - - - 209+61 4 20 143+43 4 20 63+18 - - 53 IR 70
JAMES TRACY 1211 4 NOV 12 1+2 1 5 1+2 1 5 - - - 58+74 15 75 51+46 14 70 7+28 1 5 3 IR 6
LIAM TURNER 1287 23 OCT 20 - - - - - - - - - 4+2 - - 4+2 - - - - - - -
JOSH VAN DER FLIER 1228 11 OCT 14 4+1 1 5 4+1 1 5 - - - 79+24 12 60 49+18 8 40 30+6 4 20 5 IR 35
2021/22 SEASON FOR LEINSTER LEINSTER CAREER
ALL GAMES URC EPCR ALL GAMES PRO14/URC EPCR OVERALL
KICKING
SUCCESS
RATE
C PG DG C PG DG C PG DG C PG DG C PG DG C PG DG ATT Career
%
- - - HARRY BYRNE 62.50% 5 - - 5 - - - - - 58 6 57 5 1 1 82 78.05%
ROSS BYRNE 100.00% 11 2 - 11 2 - - - - 207 77 1 165 52 1 42 25 - 367 77.38%
CIARAN FRAWLEY 100.00% 1 - - 1 - - - - - 52 7 - 49 7 - 3 - - 73 80.82%
DAVID HAWKSHAW - - - - - - - - - - 3 1 - 3 1 - - - - 6 66.67%
JIMMY O'BRIEN - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - 1 - - - - - 3 33.33%
GARRY RINGROSE - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - 4 - - - - - 6 66.67%
JOHNNY SEXTON 83.33% 8 2 - 8 2 - - - - 242 294 11 128 171 7 107 119 4 672 79.76%
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 47

TITLE PARTNER
OFFICAL KIT PARTNER
PREMIUM PARTNERS
PARTNERS & SUPPLIERS
MEDIA PARTNERS
48 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Proudly Supporting
Leinster Rugby
Offices in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Mullingar
Tel: +353 (0)1 266 6000
Fax: +353 (0)1 266 6620
Web: aon.com/Ireland
Aon Ireland Limited t/a Aon, Aon Risk Solutions, Aon Risk Affinity, Aon Claims Management, The Bar of Ireland Financial
Services and Unity Insurances is a private company limited by shares and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

ig picture
3 December 2021
Leinster Rugby President John Walsh, far right, and Paula Murphy, Head of
Strategic Sponsorship and Corporate & Social Responsibility at Bank of Ireland,
second from right, with Leinster players and coaching staff after the players were
presented with their jerseys during the Leinster Rugby Womens Cap and Jersey
Presentation at the RDS Library in Dublin.
50 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 51

ENERGIA AIL
A 30 YEAR RUGBY LEGACY
Watch now at
energia.ie/energia-ail-30

Progressive Suttonians
keen to kick on
This season, Suttonians RFC
Women’s squad has taken on a
new coaching team with Stephen
Costelloe coming in as the new
head coach and being joined by
Christy O’Shea and Rob Ingham.
The team has been developing a new
way of playing and the season to date
has been progressive. The squad have
adapted well and are embracing the
opportunity to play an expansive brand
of rugby and putting their core skills to
the test.
Five Suttonians player were involved in
interprovincial action and a further four
have joined via the dual-status route
including one who went onto to represent
Ireland in the international sevens squad.
The aim is to get more women involved
in the provinces and hopefully progress
to the next step of full representative
honours with Ireland.
The club has done exceptional work in
building a new gym which is state of the
art along with getting their S&C coach to
design specific programs for each of the
women, this facility has been a fantastic
addition.
The club organize food for the squads
on a Thursday night after training and
this has reinforced the bond between the
squads. All these things have provided
Suttonians with a great platform on which
to build from and gives the club a great
opportunity to develop and create top
class women’s players for the Energia AIL
league, Leinster Women’s rugby and the
provinces.
Coach Stephen Costelloe said: “The
squad is a very talented group who are
keen to learn and work hard. Whilst
the results have been mixed so far this
season, they are not far away from
everything clicking. The aim was to be as
competitive as possible up to Christmas
and then really attack the second half of
the season.
“I expect great things from this team and
am encouraged by their commitment
and work rate. We have worked hard on
recruitment this season. Suttonians are
always open to new players joining us,
whether they are experienced or not, the
group is a welcoming group who want to
get the best out of each other.
“We have built great connections with
Naas RFC and Tullamore RFC, which
has resulted in getting some fantastic
dual-status players. It is important to
acknowledge these clubs who have got
the players to the level they are currently
at, and we look forward to facilitating
other players in Dublin for college or
work reasons. They will always find a
warm welcome into the Suttonians rugby
family.”
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 53

offical leinster
supporters club
Round 1 of the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup is finally
upon and follows what has been a bumper last few weeks and
months of action both provincially and internationally.
Saturday rugby is always a fun
occasion and you can be sure
that the first round of any new
competition is no exception as
we welcome Bath Rugby to the
Aviva Stadium for this afternoon’s
fixture (KO 3.15pm).
Last season as we know saw us fall at
the second last hurdle, defeated 32-23
in the semi-final by La Rochelle after
finishing top of Pool A initially after our
two fixtures, whilst our visitors for today
finished outside the initial top eight of
the same pool after losing both of their
fixtures.
Previous form though should never be
taken for granted as you simply never
know who is going to turn up on the day
and given how up and down everything
has been of late, nothing is a given when
it comes to sport and especially rugby.
A greasy surface, an awkward bounce of
a ball, a missed clearance and suddenly
a comfortable foothold you had on a
game could come back to haunt you and
leave your supporters with sweaty palms
and nervous glances at the clock! Sure
what else would you rather be doing I
hear you ask!!
We hope there will be another raucous
crowd in the Aviva who will be looking
Leinster
Bath
9 wins Head-to-Head 2 wins
179 (93 home, 86 away) Played 105 (52 home, 53 away)
122 (75 home, 47 away) Wins 54 (32 home, 22 away)
52 (17 home, 35 away) Losses 49 (19 home, 30 away)
5 (1 home, 4 away) Draws 2 (1 home, 1 away)
26 Average Points 22
92-17 Biggest Win 56-15
10-51 Heaviest defeat 0-28
forward to seeing these two go head-tohead
once again for what is sure to be a
highly entertaining fixture of rugby.
We’re all well aware there is another
fixture next weekend also and whilst it is
away in France, we must not and cannot
let the focus shift to what is next week
before the final whistle has blown on this
fixture. We know too many times, teams
can easily shift their focus but we have
also seen what this can do to a team and
so we can rest assured that Leo, Stuart
and the rest of the Leinster contingent will
be working to ensure the focus is 100 per
cent on Bath this afternoon and the task
in hand there. Then and only then can we
look to next week.
A reminder also to all fans to please
continue to ensure you follow all
directions of Aviva staff and let’s keep
each other safe. For now though, here’s
to a fantastic afternoon of rugby and
don’t forget that when the boys do take to
the field this afternoon, that you welcome
them back with that familiar Leinster roar.
After all, it’s the Heineken Champions
Cup and it starts now, our Drive for Five!
For those of you who will be travelling
over to France next weekend, do keep an
eye out for our next ‘Supporters Guide
To…’ which we’ll hopefully get issued
during the week for you to take with you
in a handy PDF format on your mobile
device.
Be loud, Be proud, Be blue!
Your OLSC Committee
54 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

OFFICIAL
LEINSTER
SUPPORTERS
CLUB
Suort Suort Suort Suort Suort us by
visiting r r r r r
ONLINE
STORE
Kp Kp Kp Kp Kp up date
OLSC
NEWS
Ctact Ctact Ctact Ctact Ctact us
olsc@leinsterrugby.ie
Foow Foow Foow Foow Foow us
#seaofblue P D E Q

GETTING
We check social media
for the latest views
and thoughts across
SOCIAL
the 12 counties
56 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Virtual Mascot
Tristan
Moynagh
Age: 6
School: St Mary’s and St Gerard’s National
School, Enniskerry
Class: Senior Infants
Hobbies: Loves Lego!
Favourite Player: Johnny Sexton!
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 59

WHERE ARE
THEY NOW?
DES DILLON
THEN: Des
Dillon earned
56 caps over
four seasons
from 2002/03
to 2005/06.
NOW: He is
married to
Stephanie
with three
children James
(7), Henry
(5) and Holly
(3), living in
Monkstown,
working as a
Director of ‘Le
Cheile’, a Life
and Pensions
company.
60 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

When I
look back on
it, I could
have easily
gone away,
played with
another club
and returned
home a few
years later.
I just always
wanted to
play for
Leinster. It
was my club.
In March of 2003, Des Dillon had
to feel good about himself when
looking around the dressing room
at Donnybrook, now known as
Energia Park.
The 22-year-old had just been part of
an Ireland ‘A’ side that had thwarted
England with a 50-metre penalty from
Mark McHugh deep into injury time.
So many of the exhausted, smiling faces
in the room would go on to represent
their country at the highest level,
stalwarts like Simon Easterby, Donncha
O’Callaghan and Tyrone Howe. In fact,
just two of the 15, Barry Everitt and Dillon
would end their playing days without a
full senior cap.
Out-half Everitt chose a different path in a
fine career that involved Munster, Leinster,
London Irish and Northampton Saints.
Three years later, Dillon, the very
promising No 8, was out of favour and
out of the game due to a combination of
injury and post-playing considerations.
“When I got selected to play in my first
Ireland ‘A’ international, I could see the
road ahead to an Ireland cap. It became
more of a reality to me,” he says.
“I did my knee in that match which,
subsequently, prevented me from playing
in the next two matches.”
It is a familiar theme to Dillon’s career,
injury intervening when the next step
looked within reach in a professional
career that was relatively short and not
always sweet.
Coming out of Clongowes Wood
College, coached by the late, great Vinny
Murray, the 6’ 6” back-five forward held
a huge reputation as a natural leader
from lifting the 1998 Leinster Senior
Schools Cup as the captain.
The story of the schoolboy hero has been
told many times over. Usually, it goes one
of two ways.
The practical reality is that Des was still a
teenager when he came into contact with
mature, grizzled veterans of the game
that had seen it all.
“I didn’t see myself as someone with a
big reputation,” he says.
“At the time, professional rugby was just
taking off. I was looking at Victor Costello
and Eric Miller ahead of me in the back
row. Really, they were the ones with the
big reputations.
“When I came out of school, I was
involved in the first Leinster Academy.
There were five or six that came out every
year. I was one of those.
“Around then, you are talking about the
likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Andy Dunne,
Shane Moore, Shane Horgan and Dave
Blaney.”
Sitting above them, his Clongowes
classmate Gordon D’Arcy went straight
into the senior squad.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 61

It took three years from leaving school for
Dillon to make his Leinster breakthrough,
after a loan arrangement to Connacht
in 2001.
“I had a great year at Connacht. I played
No 8 for the entire season. Steph Nel
was the coach; Eric Elwood the captain,”
he recalls.
“It was my first experience of training fulltime,
being in the gym full-time, playing
full-time. The seasons were shorter back
then. From there, I returned to play for
UCD for the rest of the season.
“In fact, I played for UCD for three or
four great years, moving from Division 3
up to Division 1 in the All-Ireland League.
It was a good starting point for me, in
terms of training and getting used to
senior rugby.”
Connacht followed up with a tempting
contract offer which, ultimately, he turned
down when Leinster coach Matt Williams
made his pitch.
“I was coming into a set-up where Trevor
Brennan had just left. It seemed like the
right move at the time. Looking back on
it, it probably wasn’t because I ended up
sitting on the bench behind Victor and
Eric for the next couple of seasons.
“It is well-documented how we had a
new coach every year. Matt Williams
left. Gary Ella came in. I played well
that season, starting at No 8 the whole
season.”
When Declan Kidney was the Ireland
U-19 coach in 1999, Des was his
captain. A strong connection had been
made before Kidney became Leinster
coach in 2004.
It was the basis for a four-year contract
that spoke to Kidney’s opinion on Dillon
and the importance of the versatile
forward to Leinster’s future.
“A four-year deal was very rare back
then. In hindsight, that was part of my
downfall,” he shares.
62 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

“By year two, Michael Cheika had come
in and I wasn’t getting selected. I wasn’t
part of his plans. It was pretty frustrating
to know you had two years left on your
contract and you weren’t playing.”
Costello kept signing one-year contracts
which kept Dillon attached to the idea
that ‘next year could be my year’. He had
his sights set on moving Costello out of
the jersey. It just never happened.
All along, there were offers coming in
from Harlequins and London Irish in
England and Perpignan in France. But,
there was enough reason to believe his
chance was just around the corner.
In his last season, Cheika came
in, installed a rigorous pre-season
programme to have the Leinster players in
great shape. However, in the first match
of 2005/06, a back injury effectively
accounted for six months out of the game.
In the meantime, along came Jamie
Heaslip. And that was it. Mr Indestructible
went on to win almost every honour
in the game, while Dillon was out of
professional rugby by the end of the
season.
“When I look back on it, I could have
easily gone away, played with another
club and returned home a few years later.
I just always wanted to play for Leinster. It
was my club.”
He could never let go of the dream of
becoming a centrepiece of Leinster’s
future and fell between two stools as a
multi-position player, a jack of all trades.
“The frustration was in not starting for
Cheika. You can’t make a case if you’re
not playing. When I was on the bench,
I was covering a number of positions
and, maybe, caught in between being a
second row and back row.”
In December 2005, he chose to move to
Ospreys because Ryan Jones had been
hampered by injury, playing well enough
to be offered a multi-year contract by the
Welsh club. He decided not to take it.
“My back was always at me. I was never
able to train fully, to take on the workload
I needed to be at my peak physically,”
he says.
At one point, he sat down with Leinster’s
doctors Arthur Tanner and Jim McShane
to be told how it was not a good idea to
play on. The scans suggested arthritis in
the lower spine which could have been
remedied by a spinal fusion.
The support of his parents, Leo, a County
Carlow club man, and Mary, at his
games and for their advice eased the
burden of decision-making.
“I didn’t want to go ahead with the
operation because of the long-term life
implications,” he admits.
Thankfully, he had embraced education,
starting with a BA in Sports Management
at UCD, following up with an Information
Technology course, a stockbroking
course, and a property management
course at Dublin Business School. He
is a Qualified Financial Advisor and
Specialist in Alternative Investments now.
“I was frustrated. I wasn’t getting
selected. I was offered a job at Davy
Stockbrokers. And I took it,” he adds.
“Looking back, I am glad I made that
choice. I have been working away for
more than 15 years since I retired.”
He took a lot from what he had learned
in rugby and used it as the basis for
moving into a new area.
“Rugby definitely helped in my transition.
You bring a team mentality, a lot of
confidence and discipline.
“I am in the Life and Pensions industry as
a Director of ‘Le Cheile’ Group Financial
Services. It is going really well. I am out
and about meeting people, working on
business development, bringing clients to
matches, using sport as an ice-breaker to
discuss business.
“I made lifelong friends in my time
playing, in particular guys like Niall
Treston, Brian O’Riordan, Gavin Hickie,
Dave Blaney and Darce (Gordon
D’Arcy). We still meet up regularly at
different events, like those organised by
the Rugby Players of Ireland Past Players
Union.
The benefit of time has enabled Dillon to
recount his experience at Leinster as a
positive part of his life.
“I look back at it with great fondness.
Sure, there was frustration. But, I took a
lot from all the teams I played for and I
still use those tools today.”
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 63

Referees
Corner
BY DAN WALLACE
Welcome to the first Heineken Champions
Cup Referees Corner of the season.
A warm welcome to the man
in the middle, Pierre Brousset.
Pierre was the man in the middle
when we took on Northampton
Saints last season.
The Top 14 referee was promoted to the
World Rugby panel for the rugby sevens
season in 2017 and was chosen by the
World Rugby match officials selection
panel to represent France during the
2016/17 season of the seven-a-side
world circuit.
In 2019, he was promoted to the
French National Panel. After Romain
Poite, Jérôme Garcès, Pascal Gaüzère,
Mathieu Raynal and Alexandre Ruiz, the
FFR now has six referees at the highest
level with Brousset. Best of luck to him
today.
ANNUAL AWARDS
Every year during our annual
dinner we hand out our annual
awards. Sadly, this event has not
taken place in recent times.
There are five main awards, one for
lifetime achievement – the Ham Lambert
Award (2018/19 Pierce Fitzpatrick),
one for referee of the year – the
Harold Ardill Award (2018/19 Robbie
O’Flynn), one for Referee Performance
of the Year – the Alain Rolland
Award which was introduced in 2015
(2018/19 Colm Roche ) - one for club
of the year – the Terry Doyle Memorial
Award (2018/19 Old Wesley RFC)
and the Denis Collins Perpetual Award
for Progressive Referee which has been
recently added.
Want to get
involved?
Feel free to make contact with the Leinster Rugby Referees
at hayley.whyte@leinsterrugby.ie If you are interested
in becoming a referee get in contact with us through our
Facebook, our website www.leinsterrugbyreferees.ie or
through twitter @leinsterreferee.
64 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

The club of the year award is voted by
the active referees of the association.
Due to Covid restrictions a small
ceremony took place before the Leinster
v Ulster game and we are delighted to
announce and congratulate this year’s
winners:
Terry Doyle Memorial Award for Club
of the Year: Greystones RFC. A super
club and a clear winner in the voting
process from the active referees.
Ham Lambert Lifetime Achievement
Award: Bryan O’Neill (Lansdowne
FC) Bryan is a long time member of
the Leinster Rugby Referees and former
president who has given great service to
the association.
Harry Ardil Referee of the Year: Simon
‘Nigel’ Owens (Old Wesley RFC) Simon
has held multiple roles in the association
and has given a huge amount of free
time to refereeing at all levels.
Alain Rolland Award for Refereeing
Performance of the Year: Andrew Cole
(Old Wesley RFC) Andrew is one of
Ireland’s up and coming referees. He
had a superb season in 2019/20 and
continues to improve.
Denis Collins Perpetual Award for
Progressive Referee: Katie Byrne
(Tullamore RFC) Katie has shown huge
potential since becoming a referee and
continues to shine and rise through the
ranks.
Well done to all the deserving winners.
NEW RECRUITS
The Leinster Rugby Referees
have been working hard over
the opening months of this
season to recruit, educate and
develop new match officials. To
date this season, 17 new match
officials have graduated through
the trainee referee process to
become full members of the
Leinster Rugby Referees.
The Leinster Rugby Referees held
their latest New Referees Course on
Saturday, 30 October, in St Michael’s
College in Dublin. It was great to have
25 new trainee referees in attendance,
representing schools and clubs from
every corner of the province.
Seán Gallagher (Referee Development
Manager) facilitated the course, where
the trainee referees learned about the
basic principles of refereeing. There
were several guest speakers too –
Hayley Whyte (Referee Administrator)
presented on planning and preparation
for referees, Sam Holt (National Panel
Referee) presented on working as part
of a match official team and Michael
Kirk (Leinster Rugby Referee) shared his
experience of becoming a referee over
the past year.
The New Referees Course is just the
first step for these new trainee referees.
Over the coming weekends they will
be appointed to referee and touch
judge age-grade matches in their area.
A group of experienced mentors will
attend these matches to support them as
they take to the pitch for the first time.
The trainee referees will also attend
follow up workshops as they learn about
the more technical areas of the game.
In November they will learn about
scrum and lineout, in January the topic
will be refereeing the breakdown and
in February they will explore game
management.
Once these new match officials have
completed the trainee referee process,
they will become full members of the
Leinster Rugby Referees and begin their
journey on the IRFU Referee Pathway.
Seán Gallagher (Referee Development
Manager) said, “It is very important
that we consistently recruit, educate
and develop new match officials each
season. Our aim is to ensure that we
have enough referees to cover all the
age-grade and adult games each week
and to develop quality match officials
who will progress through the IRFU
Referee Pathway.”
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 65

Leinster Men’s Metro
Leagues
Round-up
Along with other domestic
league competitions run by the
Leinster Branch, the 10 divisions
in the Metro League provides
competitive rugby for 75 teams
from a cross section of clubs
spread across the province.
Depending on the strength and playing
numbers within a club the current system
allows clubs the opportunity to play
against teams of a similar standard but
who could be from a bigger club who
field more teams. With promotion and
relegation at stake the leagues allow for
all teams competing to find a level to suit
their standard.
In Metro League Division 1, the nine
teams competing are the J1 sides of clubs
competing in the Energia All-Ireland
League. As we approach the mid-season
break Terenure are top having only
tasted defeat once this season, they are
eight points ahead of second-placed Old
Wesley. Dublin University and UCD fill
third and fourth positions respectively.
Division 2 is comprised of a mix between
All-Ireland League clubs J1 and J2 two
sides. MU Barnhall have opened up a
nine-point lead over Old Wesley and
Naas although the Donnybrook men
have a game in hand. Greystones lie in
fourth place, a point behind, but have
two games in hand over the leaders, so
still plenty to play for at the top of this
division.
Division 3 - Skerries lead the way and
they hold a three-point lead at the top
over second-placed Navan. The two
clubs played against each other last time
out with Skerries winning what was a try
scoring fest by 41-38. Enniscorthy lie five
points behind in third position.
Division 4 - Naas remain unbeaten
having won all six matches played to
date and have a two-point lead and a
game in hand over second-placed Old
Wesley. The students of UCD sit in third
place. This division sees the first of the
Metro and Area clubs involved with both
Rathdrum and Stillorgan/Rathfarnham
competing.
In Division 5, Terenure are the club very
much in command as the Lakelands
team remain unbeaten with six from
six successes to date. Lansdowne sit in
second place followed by Coolmine in
third position.
Old Wesley who sit top in Division 6
having only lost one game so far in
the campaign and that was against
Clontarf who are in second place, two
points behind. Dublin University are in
third position ahead of Terenure and
Clondalkin who both have a game in
hand.
Division 7 - Old Belvedere are the
leaders as they also have only lost one
game to date, they hold a four-point lead
with a game in hand over second-placed
Blackrock. Stillorgan/Rathfarnham lie in
third place ahead of BGF Ravens who
are followed by Swords and the Emerald
Warriors in mid-division.
Division 8 is topped by Greystones, four
points clear of Railway Union. Bective
Rangers and De La Salle Palmerston are
on the same points in third and fourth
place respectively but the ‘Rangers’ have
a game in hand over the other sides.
Division 9 is tight at the top of the table
where St Mary’s hold a one-point lead
over second-placed Malahide who are
on the same points as Clondalkin who
have played one game more. Dogos/
AIB, Newbridge and Tallaght also
compete in this division.
In Division 10, Portarlington are in
first place by virtue of a better points
difference than Midland Warriors, each
team having won six of their eight games
played to date. Coolmine are four points
behind in third place but with a game in
hand. Athy lie in fourth position, unbeaten
having only played four games so far in
the campaign after being placed in this
division late. So, again all to play for at
the top of the table.
As we head into the Christmas break and
all involved in the 10 divisions that make
up our Metro Leagues get an opportunity
to recharge the batteries over the festive
season, there is plenty of great domestic
rugby to look forward to when matches
resume in the New Year.
All our Metro League clubs across the
province, their players, coaches and
volunteers are to be commended for their
dedication and commitment in getting
matches played especially during these
difficult times.
66 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

YOUR ACCESS TO THE HEART OF EUROPEAN
RUGBY HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER
HEINEKENCHAMPIONSCUP.COM
#HeinekenChampionsCup

ank of ireland
MATCHDAY MINIS
MU Barnhall RFC
Squad: Isaac Gunn, Elwood McGreal, Arán Uhlemann,
Max Ellerker, Max Kinsella, Conor Horan, Joe Cribben,
Conor Nealon, Ryan Fenton, Charlie Kinsella Phillips,
Michéal Walsh, Simon Hearns, Matthew Tyrrell, Lucia Mc
Cracken, Luke Carthy, Tadhg Friscic, Eoin Roche, Rhys
Henry, Cillian Burke, Leo Nolan
Coaches: Jonathan Fenton, Gavin Carthy
Portlaoise RFC
Back Row (Left to Right): John Lynch (coach), Harry
Redmond, David Peters, Simon Shirley, Charlie Peavoy,
Joseph Kelly, Ben Heffernan, Daragh Hooban, Billy Lawless,
Jack Downey, Alan O’Connell (coach).
Front Row (Left to Right): Owen Harding, Dylan Clear,
Freddie Walshe, Jerry O’Connell, Harry Shore, Luke
Delaney, Jake Murray, Oscar O’Connell, Alex O’Brien
McCormack, Tadhg Lowry, Matthew Lynch
Tullamore RFC
Squad: Tom Brennan, Daniel Bourke, Timothy Cunningham,
Cillian Daly, Oisín Dolan, Harry Dumpleton, Callum
Grehan, Ríain Guinan, Tomás McFadden, Fionn McGrath,
Eoin Minnock, Liam O’Connor, Harry O’Meara, Keith
O’Rourke, Sean Ryan, Conor Sullivan, Mattia Toselli, Oisín
Whelan
Navan RFC
Squad: Ryan Escobar, Sam Friel, Sean Duffy, Ted Duffy,
Killian Welsh, Keelan Power, Chris Barry, Sean Masterson,
Simon Hobbs, Erik Hannukka, Peter Higgins, Tom Moran,
Adam Kohistani, Evin Spillane, Danny Farrell, Asanka
Varney, Killian Faggan, Jimmy Shorten, James Mallon, Ryan
Carter
Coaches: Cyril Escobar, John Duffy
Coaching Team: Michael Whelan, Seán O’Rourke
68 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

20 years as CEO for
Mick Dawson
70 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

On a cold
November morning
in 2001, Mick
Dawson packed
his bag, left
home, got into his
car and drove the
short distance
to the Leinster
Rugby head office
for his first day
as CEO.
We call it a head office but it was
really just a portacabin where the
Ken Wall Centre of Excellence now
sits in Energia Park.
A lot has changed since then for Leinster
Rugby but one thing that has remained
constant is the man at the helm.
Twenty years later, Mick Dawson is still in
charge and has overseen huge change
both on and off the field.
The Leinster Rugby professional team
have been changed from also-rans to
four-time Champions Cup winners and
record-winners in the URC.
There is now a women’s rugby
programme with dedicated staff that
have grown numbers in the province from
seven girls teams in 2009 to over 70 girls
teams at the last count.
The Leinster Rugby player pathway now
develops and nurtures homegrown talent
from the clubs and the schools through
the Shane Horgan Cup, the Sarah
Robinson Cup, the schools competitions
into the Leinster Rugby blue jersey that
run out at Energia Park or the RDS Arena.
Those portacabins in Donnybrook,
were soon changed into an office over
what is now the O’Brien’s off-license
in Donnybrook, then to another facility
above MAO restaurant again in
Donnybrook, and then finally, thanks to
David and Cathy Shubotham, to UCD,
where the Leinster Rugby head office has
been since 2012.
But the change wasn’t confined to the
head office as Donnybrook, now Energia
Park of course, also took on many
facelifts and in that time a new stand
was built, two state-of-the-art artificial
pitches installed and of course the Ken
Wall Centre of Excellence was opened in
September 2019.
Nor is Energia Park the only home of
Leinster Rugby anymore, with the RDS
Arena and the Aviva Stadium now also
sharing the considerable load of catering
for the Leinster men’s and women’s teams.
Dawson would be the first to deflect
attention away from his own impact so
better to seek opinion from those that
have seen him at close quarters in that
time.
Former Leinster and Ireland player
Philip Lawlor, was working with Leinster
Rugby when Dawson first arrived and is
still there today as Head of the Rugby
Department, overseeing every aspect of
the game below professional level.
“In his time at the helm of Leinster Rugby,
Mick has always understood the role
clubs and schools play in Leinster Rugby’s
success.
“His encouragement and support for
the innovation and drive that exists in
Leinster’s clubs and schools along with
its rugby department staff and committee
structures has ensured we stay at the
forefront of player, coach, volunteer and
referee development across the men’s
and the women’s game in Ireland.
“From a personnel point of view Mick is
a man of huge integrity, who has always
had my back, a good and insightful
counsel whose encouragement and
support in pushing boundaries and
driving development has ensured that
being part of Leinster Rugby has always
been interesting, rewarding and very
enjoyable.”
Dawson has had to work with many head
coaches during those 20 years from Matt
Williams right the way through to Leo
Cullen.
He did of course know Cullen very well,
Cullen having skippered Leinster Rugby
to an unprecedented three Heineken Cup
trophies and a European Challenge Cup
as a player.
And his appointment in the summer
of 2015 has turned into another huge
success.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 71

As newly announced Official Clean Air Partner of
Leinster Rugby, we are delighted to support the
team in their pursuit of excellence, by adding
Novaerus air disinfection technology to their
winning formula.
Irish-designed and patented Novaerus NanoStrike
technology strives to give Leinster the physical and
competitive edge by disinfecting the squad and
management team’s indoor air safely, 24/7.
Clean air is as important to a world-class winning
team as clean water, superb nutrition, and a healthy
lifestyle, all improving cognitive and physical
performance on and off the pitch. Wishing our
new partners Leinster Rugby all the best vs Bath
Rugby today.

“Mick is synonymous with all that is great
about Leinster Rugby,” says Cullen.
“It’s not just about winning it’s about
building relationships that will survive
the test of time. Personally, Mick has
always been a great support to me
both as a player and more recently as a
coach. And whenever I have brought him
problems, he is always keen to provide
solutions.
“Leinster Rugby owes Mick a great deal
for his leadership and the work he has
put in over the course of the last 20
years.”
Finally, who better than the man charged
with steering the ship on the pitch in the
Heineken Champions Cup and the URC
over the coming weeks, Johnny Sexton,
for his thoughts on the Dawson years.
“Everything starts with the leader of any
organisation and he is very much the
one that has driven things from the top.
I’m sure he’s had battles over the years
internally or with the IRFU but I think
he has always been pro-active in his
approach and has found that balance
between professionalism and the integrity
of the game.
“I think he’s done a fantastic job with the
success that we have had but leaving
that to one side you look at some of the
decisions he has made and in particular
some of the moves he has made.
“The move to the RDS from Donnybrook
is the one that stands out for me but also
in terms of the facilities that we now
have in UCD and down in Energia Park
and now a vision for four other Centres
of Excellence around the province to
further tap into the talent that is out there
amongst the boys and girls in our clubs
and schools.
“Success can’t happen unless it is driven
from the top down and he has certainly
done that but he has also been a great
personality around the place. He’s a
good character, you can have a laugh
with him, and even though he is obviously
the CEO of the organisation you can go
to him, call into him, chat to him and get
along with him.”
When mentioning decisions Dawson
has made in his time at Leinster Rugby,
the hiring of head coaches is one that
gathers most headlines.
It is hard to ignore the impact that
Michael Cheika had on Leinster, but
beyond that the impact that Joe Schmidt
then had on Leinster and Irish rugby.
Of course Schmidt turned down the initial
approach from Dawson but not content
with ‘no’ for an answer, Dawson went
after Schmidt a second time but had an
ace or two up his sleeve. Namely, Cullen
and Sexton, his captain and the young
out-half that Schmidt could build a team
around at club level, and in time, at
international level.
“Cheika coming in changed the culture
of the organisation and then Joe came in
and made it even better again. Two great
appointments,” Sexton adds.
“But Mick was very clever in that he
knew who he was dealing with and
what would work and when it didn’t go
right the first time in his chats with Joe,
he arranged a second meeting and I
remember it like it was yesterday. It feels
like yesterday! It was myself and Leo and
Jono Gibbes who met with him and had
good chats.
“The funny thing is I came away from
that meeting thinking Joe was far too
nice to be a head coach! But Mick saw
something in him, had done his research
and that appointment brought us to
another level and we’ve never looked
back.”
He’s not gone or going anywhere but 20
years at the helm is worth acknowledging
and celebrating.
Congratulations Mick!
As they say in Irish, fiche bliain ag fás,
fiche bliain faoi bhláth.
Twenty years growing, twenty years
blossoming.
Here’s to many more.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 73

TO MAXIMISE YOUR SPORTS AND EXERCISE
PERFORMANCE THROUGH NUTRITION
Optimum Nutrition and Leinster Rugby have partnered to help share good nutrition tips throughout
the season to help you achieve your performance goals. Here are some simple tips and things to
remember to help maximise your performance and help you recover quickly to come back stronger.
Protein Rich.
Protein provides your muscles with
the building blocks to repair & grow.
Carb-Up.
Carbohydrate foods are king as they
power high intensity play.
Fuel-Up.
Consume the majority of your
carbohydrates around training to
support fuelling and recovery.
Recover.
Quality rest & nutrition between
training sessions is the key to
recovery. Remember to:
Repair with protein,
Refuel with carbohydrate,
Rehydrate with fluid.
Hydrate.
Dehydration can lead to a drop in
exercise intensity & can impact your
decision making. Drink 2-3 litres of
fluid each day to ensure hydration.
Game Day.
To fuel performance on the field,
consume a large carbohydrate rich
meal 2-3 hours before kick-off, i.e.
chicken & pasta, turkey bolognaise
wraps.
Get 20% off all Optimum Nutrition products
using code Leinster20 on optimumnutrition.ie

KNOWING WHAT ADVICE TO TAKE
IS ESSENTIAL IN THIS GAME.
beauchamps.ie
OFFICIAL LEGAL ADVISOR
Beauchamps LLP | Riverside Two | Sir John Rogerson’s Quay | Dublin 2 | D02 KV60

Leinster Rugby Charity Affiliate
Peter McVerry Trust
There is no doubt that the
Covid-19 pandemic has been a
challenge to everyone. But for the
most vulnerable in our society –
those without a place to call home
– it was particularly daunting.
Over the past 20 months Peter
McVerry Trust has, in partnership with
State agencies and other voluntary
organisations in the sector, kept the
vulnerable safe and continued to help
those in need.
Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust
writes:
At the onset of the pandemic Peter
McVerry Trust responded rapidly to
meet the needs of people living in
homelessness, especially those accessing
our emergency accommodation services.
RESPONDING TO A
GLOBAL CRISIS
We provided an immediate and urgent
response to Covid-19 and supported over
7,000 people to self-isolate.
Our isolation services cater to four
separate groups; people living in
homelessness, patients leaving HSE
services without a home to go to, children
in Tusla services and asylum seekers
entering the country for the first time
through the International Protection
Accommodation Services.
Within each isolation unit, we provide
rapid access to essential supports
including addiction, mental health and
translation services.
PROTECTING
PARTICIPANTS AND
STAFF
Throughout our response to Covid-19 we
have sought to ensure that we offer the
best possible protection and supports
to people in homelessness and our
own team members. Covid-19 testing is
carried out on-site in our isolation services
by nursing and social care workers and,
once available, the vaccine was offered
to all Peter McVerry Trust participants
and staff members. To date, over 1,500
participants have received the Covid-19
vaccination. We’re now working to
ensure our frontline team and participants
receive their booster shots.
DAY TO DAY WORK
All of this work is in addition to working
with all those with whom we normally
support in our day to day work as a
charity.
We provide low-threshold entry services,
primarily to younger people and
vulnerable adults with complex needs,
and offers pathways out of homelessness
based on the principles of the Housing
First model. Our mission is to target those
most marginalised in society and offer
them a safe, challenging and supportive
environment through our service
provision.
Our aim is to treat participants with
warmth and respect and actively
encourage them to be involved in all
aspects of their own support plan. We
aim to assist each person to re-establish
himself or herself in the community and
move towards greater independence.
LIVE SIMPLY, SHARE
GENEROUSLY
This year we will work with over 10,000
people, a 20 per cent increase on last
year. Unfortunately, the fundraising
environment has been incredibly
challenging since the onset of Covid-19
in Ireland.
At the start of November, Stephen Kenny,
the manager of the Irish men’s football
team, launched our Christmas Fundraising
Appeal at our latest social housing
scheme in Dublin, where we created 18
social housing apartments by refurbishing
two vacant buildings. Tenants will now
be moving into these homes in time for
Christmas.
Our Christmas fundraising appeal is
using the theme ‘Live Simply, Share
Generously’, a quote from our founder
Fr Peter McVerry’s interview with Tommy
Tiernan on RTÉ earlier in the year.
We know, and have seen first-hand over
the years, the generosity of the Irish
public and we hope that people who are
in a position to donate and support this
year’s Christmas appeal do so, whether
it’s on an individual level, as a business,
a group of employees or through
community groups.
We hope people will reflect on the
simple message to ‘live simply and share
generously’, as we need all the support
we can get in the run up to Christmas.
2020 IN BRIEF
Worked with 7,800 people
Active in 28 out of 31 local
authorities across Ireland
1,300 people supported into housing
Opened our Mid-East Regional Office
in Naas, Co. Kildare
76 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Live simply,
share
generously

HANGING WITH THE STARS
www.bestmenswear.com
OFF
ENTER THE CODE BELOW
LEIN15
Until December 31st 2021
ONLINE ONLY SHOP NOW
T&Cs Apply

Wicklow U-12s in RDS
Wicklow RFC U-12
boys squad were
delighted to be
invited to the
Bank of Ireland
Leinster Rugby
half-time mini
games at the
Leinster v Ulster
game on Saturday,
27 November.
The exhibition matches are the
highlight of Leinster minis rugby
and had been postponed for the
last few seasons due to Covid
restrictions.
Wicklow U-12s’ day started at Ashtown
Lane where they travelled by bus to the
game in Dublin. Before they left Wicklow,
they were given a lively send off by Club
President Brian Clarke who, on behalf
of the club, wished the kids well and
reminded them to enjoy the experience.
Wicklow RFC arrived full of enthusiasm
at the RDS and were given VIP treatment,
escorted to their reserved seating in the
South Stand. They had plenty of time
to watch the Leinster and Ulster players
warming up.
As half-time approached the Wicklow
players got their game faces on to
prepare for the highlight of their young
rugby lives. As the half-time whistle blew
on the main game the kids ran onto the
main pitch in front of a crowd of 15,000
spectators
Their match kicked off against Ashbourne
RFC and from the start they played like
warriors to score two brilliant team tries.
The match was over in a flash and they
finished the game with a lap of honour
around the pitch to the applause of an
appreciative crowd.
The kids then resumed their seats for
the second half of the adult game.
Ulster were the deserved winners in the
interprovincial fixture but that was soon
forgotten on the bus journey home where
the kids recounted their memories of a
truly unforgettable experience.
This day will be long remembered by this
group of talented players.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 79

Founded:
1865
Ground:
THE RECREATION GROUND
Capacity:
14,500
bath rugby
last time out
Northampton Saints 40
Bath Rugby 19
Losing Josh McNally in the warmup,
the Blue, Black and Whites fell
behind within a minute as Rory
Hutchinson ran in for Saints.
Tommy Freeman scored soon after before
Sam Underhill replied for the visitors.
Bath then lost half-back pairing Ben
Spencer and Danny Cipriani to injuries
and Northampton crossed twice through
Juarno Augustus.
Lewis Boyce nudged his way over for a
score just before the break and fellow
prop Will Stuart added to Bath’s tally.
But Northampton sealed their victory via
a double from wing Courtnall Skosan.
Saints went on the front foot from the
off and crossed in the first minute. The
hosts made use of an overlap to the right
and Hutchinson scampered across the
whitewash.
In response. Tom de Glanville evaded a
number of challenges before releasing
Franklin’s Gardens | 4 December 2021 | Word and pictures: bathrugby.com
A heavily disrupted Bath Rugby were beaten by
Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on
their last day out.
Spencer. In turn, he went out the
backdoor to Josh Bayliss after making 15
or so metres but the ball couldn’t quite
stick.
Tom Dunn and Underhill carried well to
make metres and the forwards had great
early success at the line-out but not before
Freeman went over from an inside ball.
Three penalties moved Bath to the five
and a strong maul allowed Underhill to
leg drive his way to the line.
Soon after, with Spencer on the floor
receiving treatment, Saints made the
most of their advantage with their third
try. Fraser Dingwall raced away and
was superbly hauled down by Butt but
managed to pop for No 8 Augustus to
dot down.
The back-rower managed to grab his
second moments later on a short line with
Bath forced into a makeshift backline
and down to 14 due to a Mike Williams
sin bin.
Further changes were needed early in
the second half as Williams received a
blow to the head but Bath continued to
have joy at the line-out and succession
of penalties resulted in Matavesi being
yellow carded.
The resultant penalty saw Stuart tap and
power over to make it 28-19, however
80 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Northampton rallied and replied
immediately through Skosan.
Attacking intent remained with Bath
as Underhill and de Glanville asked
questions of the home defence.
Though when Saints did eventually
retrieve possession, they managed to
make it count. Will Muir and de Glanville
put their bodies on the line to stop Ollie
Sleightholme from finishing a cross-kick
but the ball was quickly recycled and
punt to the other corner where Skosan
was on hand to score his second.
Until the very end, Bath tried their best
to get a try-bonus. Max Ojomoh – who
stepped in at out-half – sent a looping
ball to Muir on the wing and de Glanville
dancing footwork made hard ground.
Ojomoh again flicked a ball out to
Bayliss and his strength forced his way
to the five.
Saints were patient in their defensive
system and earned a turnover on their
own goalline to thwart Bath and see out
the game.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS – George
Furbank; Tommy Freeman, Fraser
Dingwall, Rory Hutchinson, Courtnall
Skosan; Dan Biggar, Alex Mitchell; Alex
Waller, Sam Matavesi, Ehren Painter;
David Ribbans, Alex Moon; Karl Wilkins,
Lewis Ludlam, Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: James Fish, Nick Auterac,
Paul Hill, Api Ratuniyarawa, Alex
Coles, Tom James, Tom Litchfield, Ollie
Sleightholme.
BATH RUGBY – Tom de Glanville;
Semesa Rokoduguni, Will Butt, Max
Ojomah, Will Muir; Danny Cipriani, Ben
Spencer; Lewis Boyce, Tom Dunn, Will
Stuart; Mike Williams, Charlie Ewels; Tom
Ellis, Sam Underhill, Josh Bayliss.
Replacements: Jacques du Toit, Will
Vaughan, D’Arcy Rae, Nahum Merigan,
Richard de Carpentier, Ewan Richards,
Ollie Fox, Gabriel Hamer-Webb.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 81

ath squad
Director of Rugby
Stuart Hooper
Stuart Hooper joined Bath Rugby
from Leeds at the start of the
2008/09 season. In 2011, Hooper
was named the new Bath Rugby
club captain for the 2011/12
season.
Hooper retired with immediate effect
from all rugby in 2016 under medical
advice as the result of a back injury and it
was soon announced that he would take
on the role of Performance and Player
Development Director at Bath.
In 2019, it was announced that Hooper
would take on the role of Director of
Rugby for Bath Rugby at the start of
the 2019/20 season, following the
departure of Todd Blackadder.
Captain
charlie ewels
Homegrown second row Charlie
Ewels was named club captain
ahead of the 2019/20 season.
The 26-year-old made his debut for
the club in November 2014 against
Glasgow Warriors in the Heineken
Champions Cup and has since amassed
over a century of appearances.
He has also represented England on 23
occasions, scoring two tries, following a
debut against Fiji in 2016.
82 | www.leinsterrugby.ie
DARREN ATKINS
FULL BACK/WING
ORLANDO BAILEY
OUTSIDE HALF
JOSH BAYLISS
BACK ROW
LEWIS BOYCE
LOOSE HEAD PROP
WILL BUTT
CENTRE
TOM CARR-SMITH
SCRUM HALF
DANNY CIPRIANI
OUTSIDE HALF
MAX CLARK
CENTRE
JACO COETZEE
BACK ROW
JOE COKANASIGA
WING
ARTHUR CORDWELL
LOOSE HEAD PROP
TOM COWAN
BACK ROW
RICHARD DE CARPENTIER
BACK ROW
TOM DE GLANVILLE
OUTSIDE HALF
JOSH DINGLEY
BACK ROW/LOCK
CIARAN DONOGHUE
OUTSIDE HALF
TOM DOUGHTY
HOOKER
JACQUES DU TOIT
HOOKER
TOM DUNN
HOOKER
TOM ELLIS
LOCK
CHARLIE EWELS
LOCK
TAULUPE FALETAU
BACK ROW
OLLIE FOX
SCRUM HALF
GABE GOSS
WING
MACKENZIE GRAHAM
BACK ROW
MAX GREEN
SCRUM HALF
ARCHIE GRIFFIN
TIGHT HEAD PROP
GABE HAMER-WEBB
WING
JOHANNES JONKER
TIGHT HEAD PROP
JONATHAN JOSEPH
CENTRE
ARCHIE MAGGS
TIGHT HEAD PROP
RUARIDH MCCONNOCHIE
FULL BACK
JOSH MCNALLY
LOCK
NAHUM MERIGAN
NO 8
WILL MUIR
WING
BENO OBANO
LOOSE HEAD PROP
MAX OJOMOH
CENTRE
D’ARCY RAE
TIGHT HEAD PROP
FRANKIE READ
BACK ROW
CAMERON REDPATH
CENTRE
MILES REID
FLANKER
EWAN RICHARDS
BACK ROW/LOCK
SEMESA ROKODUGUNI
WING
JUAN SCHOEMAN
LOOSE HEAD PROP
TIAN SCHOEMAN
OUTSIDE HALF
JOE SIMPSON
SCRUM HALF
JASPER SPANDLER
HOOKER
BEN SPENCER
SCRUM HALF
WILL SPENCER
LOCK
ETHAN STADDON
BACK ROW/LOCK
ARCHIE STANLEY
LOOSE HEAD PROP
JOHN STEWART
HOOKER
WILL STUART
TIGHT HEAD PROP
SAM UNDERHILL
BACK ROW
WILL VAUGHAN
LOOSE HEAD PROP
KIERAN VERDEN
LOOSE HEAD PROP
ANTHONY WATSON
FULL BACK
MIKE WILLIAMS
BACK ROW/LOCK
GEORGE WORBOYS
FULL BACK

Club in Focus
LIBERTY SAINTS
Tom
Magee has
known the
despair a
hopeless
future
can hold.
At 26, it led Tom to start playing a
sport he had never even seen. He
went on to represent Wanderers
in the All-Ireland League for 10
years.
The President at Liberty Saints Rugby
Club in Dublin 8 is forever optimistic that
young people’s lives can be saved long
before they are lost to the cruel realities
of life in the inner city.
What rugby can be to those who
embrace the discipline, commitment
and identity of team is a way out of the
drudgery of the everyday challenge it
can be to simply get out of bed and stay
out of trouble.
“When you put guys on a rugby pitch,
where there is nowhere to hide, it’s
pi**ing rain, someone comes running at
you, that is when you see who they are.
“You realise how vulnerable they are,
despite the hoods on their heads,” says
Tom.
“When you are on a team with someone,
you get to know a lot about them, you
see pieces of their personality they might
never want you to see.
“You automatically know, that guy is
dishonest, that guy is lazy, that guy is a
coward, that guy is brave, that guy can
be trusted. Behaviours come out when the
rules are laid out.
“People around you suffer when
you don’t follow the rules, keep your
discipline and play as part of the team.
“This is where the seeds for personal
growth and development can grow
from as boys and girls learn how to take
instructions and be accountable.
“Without rugby, without sport, in Dublin
8, nothing happens. Trouble, gangs,
drugs, jail becomes the natural cycle.”
Tom is in the business of using rugby to
bring change to the community and make
lives better.
Of course, for every good story, there
are many to keep feet firmly rooted to the
ground.
Andy Ciobanu showed a lot of promise
as a rugby player for Liberty Saints. He
won a scholarship to Terenure College,
made the Senior Cup team in 2019 and
went on to college.
Tom Magee with members of the girls
team ahead of their first game
He is currently in the second year of an
Computer Science degree in UCD.
“Andy is very positive, very grateful
for the opportunity he earned and an
example to everyone else of what can
be achieved with the right discipline,”
says Tom.
Aaron Crowe is another player who has
gone on to third level education, studying
Sports Management in Technological
University Dublin. He now gives back to
the club every Sunday morning coaching
the next generation of ‘Saints’.
Adam Malone played on the same team
as Andy and Aaron at Liberty Saints.
When he outgrew the club as an 18-yearold,
Adam went down to Wanderers and
played several games at scrum-half.
He struggled with the transition from a
teenager with the purpose rugby gave
him to the adult world in which life’s
challenges became overwhelming.
In August, at just 20 years of age, he
tragically died, two weeks after the birth
of his daughter Vada Rae.
In 2018, two Liberty players Craig
86 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Aaron Crowe
Since 2014, we have been
campaigning in the area for a pitch
for all these children who have
never run anywhere unless they are
getting chased by the Gardai.
Andy Ciobanu makes tackle with
Conor Fitzgerald in support
Hanlon-McKeon and Conor Fitzgerald,
idle one afternoon, walked along the
roof of a derelict building near St James’
Hospital just for the craic.
At one point, Conor heard a crack,
looked back and saw a hole in the
roof. He looked six meters below to see
Craig’s still body on concrete. Another
one gone.
For every good news story, there are
many heartbreaking ones that make you
realise how fragile life can be.
“Sport, in this case rugby, is about the
values young people can learn and the
needs that are met for players, even how
they feel when coming off a pitch with a
black eye after being beaten. They feel
alive because they are testing themselves
against their peers in a positive way,”
says Tom.
“That is what keeps me involved. I am
passionate about what we are doing. I
look at rugby as a way of fulfilling needs
for young people, the fun, the freedom,
the belonging, the power of team.
Andy Ciobanu with J McG
“We are not interested in trying to
find the next Brian O’Driscoll. We are
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 87

interested in finding out who the next
Andy Ciobanu and Adam Malone can
be.”
The club has had a rethink in recent years,
moving to intervene earlier in the lives of
the local children.
“Part of the reason we started this was
to attract teenagers, at the stage where
they were moving from sixth class into
secondary school.
“They are meeting new peers, meeting a
lot of distractions. They end up portraying
a personality they have to live up to on
the streets,” adds Tom.
“We decided we had to introduce
ourselves to these kids earlier at nine, 10,
11, not 13, 14 15, so that we can gain
their confidence as people they already
know, not as strangers when they hit those
teenage years.”
There has been a determination to spread
the gospel, finding support from St James’
primary school where Liberty Saints reach
out to children.
“We thought it would only be boys that
would find rugby attractive. What we
found was the girls were just as interested.
“Where we are, the nearest landmark
to us is Fatima Luas stop, where Fatima
Mansions was situated. There are no team
sports in the area. None.”
On the morning of the Ireland v Argentina
November international, for the first time,
Liberty Saints took 16 girls from age 9-11,
to play against Terenure in another step
forward for the club.
“Since 2014, we have been campaigning
in the area for a pitch for all these
children who have never run anywhere
unless they are getting chased by the
Gardai.
“They play in the flats, kick a ball against
a wall, but never pull on a pair of football
boots. They never know what it is to be
part of a team.
“The only ‘team’ these kids know is the
four or five teenagers hanging around in
a gang on the street corners.
“Kids want to be a part of something
bigger than themselves. That is the only
grouping they know.”
The coaches at Liberty Saints give these
children a new gang to be part of, one
that won’t eat into their humanity, one that
gives them hope in the present, at least.
“We now have 40-50 children for
training on a Sunday morning with Barry
(Barry Holmes, head coach). We are the
only ones in that part of Dublin 8 within
a three-mile radius from a population of
60,000 that are engaged in team sport.
That is incredibly sad.”
Now living in Artane, Tom is still
committed to the Liberties as a strong
supporter of the move to ‘Reclaim the
Iveagh Markets’ and as a member of
‘Sporting Liberties’, a campaign to secure
sports facilities in the area.
Tom Magee
“Although I don’t physically go to bed
there every night, my heart is there,” he
states.
“I just want to see those kids get a fair
chance at a good life and get the same
opportunities to be involved in sport that
all the kids from the rest of Dublin have. It
doesn’t seem like a big ask.”
In November, a patch of land on
Marrowbone Lane, about the size of
a GAA pitch, was rezoned from Z4,
which is commercial, to Z9, which is
recreational.
Hope has been revived that, at last, their
‘Field of Dreams’ can come true.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 89

Southeast
Area Update
BY DEBORAH CARTY
Arklow
Arklow’s U-14, 16 and 18 Girls got
together recently and headed to the
RDS to support the Irish Women’s team
against Japan, the U-12 girls were busy
winning three out of three games at a
blitz in Gorey.
U-18.5s Challenge v Gorey
Arklow 31 v Gorey 7
A very well attended match under
lights despite the cold weather saw
Arklow blow off the cobwebs with a
comprehensive win over neighbours
Gorey, with a number of Arklow players
lining out for the first time since the
pandemic, it was great to see the team on
the pitch again. A great result for Arklow
but more importantly great to see this
group of lads back out playing again.
Carlow
Co Carlow are currently engaging in an
exciting project to collect and preserve
the history of Co Carlow Football Club
from its foundation in October 1873 to
mark its 150th year.
The aim is to have a documented
history and archive in time for the 150th
Anniversary of the club in 2023, we
would ask that anyone who has any old
photographs, brochures, memorabilia,
stories or memories you are willing
to share from any era to contact
carlowrugby@gmail.com.
Enniscorthy
Eighteen-year-old James Doyle came
off the bench in his first game for
Enniscorthy’s AIL team recently, scoring
a try helping to secure a win against
Sunday’s Well, this was followed by
another great win against Bangor where
Doyle and his teacher and club captain
Tomás Stamp, both of CBS Enniscorthy,
celebrated another win, one as a student
and one as a teacher.
Gorey
Congratulations to Gorey’s Kate Farrell
McCabe who represented the Irish
Sevens squad in Dubai. Best of luck Kate
from everyone in Gorey RFC.
Kilkenny
Well done to our Women’s First team
who have returned to their winning ways,
defeating Swords recently, the concession
of an early try appeared to galvanise the
team and they had a very strong win.
The side are now three wins from four
games in the Leinster League and deserve
kudos for the continuous hard work and
willingness to learn.
Kilkenny RFC U-13, U-14 and U-16
have all qualified for their respective
Southeast finals. Well done to all players,
coaches, volunteers and other support
for their hard work in getting three out
of four youth sides to the area final. A
clear indication that the club’s youth
development strategy is on track.
Tullow
Tullow’s first and second teams played
last weekend with this being the seconds’
first match of the season in a local derby
away to Co Carlow where old rivalries
and friendships were renewed.
Tullow RFC minis enjoyed their own
‘Autumn Series’ of blitzes around the
Southeast. The U-10 girls ‘Tullow Tigers’
are enjoying their first season together
this year.
Rathdrum
Give Rugby a Try in Rathdrum! Are you
new to the area or looking for a team,
sport and club to join? Rathdrum Rugby
Club is now recruiting for all ages, adults
and youths. For more information get in
touch with the club through their Social
Media pages.
Wicklow
With the minis back playing in the RDS
at half-time, Wicklow’s U-12s were one
of the first teams back on the pitch, a
brilliant night had by all soaking up the
atmosphere in the RDS.
Wexford
Wanderers
Wexford U-10 and U-12 girls recently
travelled to Gorey for their first game of
the season with many of them making
their rugby debut showcasing their
fantastic rugby skills on a cold but
bright Sunday morning. The future of the
Women’s game is bright in Wexford.
Wexford recently held their Annual
Memorial night in the Clubhouse, this is
held on the third Friday of November
every year to remember those they have
lost from the club, their families and the
wider community.
A call went out recently looking for
historical photos of Wexford over the
years, with some great pictures coming
in, the club are looking forward to seeing
many more old faces on the website.
90 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

92 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Temi
Lasisi
THE ACADEMY
INTERVIEW
BY MARCUS Ó BUACHALLA
“It’s all a bit mad
really.”
The words of Temi Lasisi,
the Enniscorthy prop
as he looks back on the
journey to this point,
to the Leinster Rugby
Academy and sharing
the same training
environment as Messrs.
Healy, Furlong and Porter.
It’s all a bit mad because it
shouldn’t have been this way.
Football, soccer that is, was his thing.
That was his sport.
His sport, that is, until the dad of one of
his mates, Ryan Cahill, intervened and
suggested something else.
“I was never into rugby as a young
fella. I was into football, loved it but I
was a big kid and the local club was
a bit away from my house so it was
awkward to get to on a Monday and a
Wednesday.
“Whereas the rugby club, Enniscorthy
RFC, was just on my doorstep.
“I just never thought of it as an option
because I wasn’t into it. Not only was I
not into it, I hadn’t a clue about the rules
or how to play it or whatever but then a
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 93

do.ie
audit
tax
advisory
consulting
BDO’s Hospitality
Sector Sentiment Survey
is available now
Hospitality Sector
Sentiment Survey
September 2021
Smart business advisors
For further information contact:
Michael Costello, Managing Partner,
on 01 470 0130 or email mcostello@bdo.ie
Click here to visit bdo.ie
The survey consulted with
almost 1,000 representative
bars and restaurants, drawn
from the membership of the
Licensed Vintners Association,
Restaurants Association
of Ireland and the Vintners
Federation of Ireland.
Download your copy of the
survey here.
Smart business advisors
BDO is authorised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland to carry on investment business. BDO, a partnership established under Irish Law, is a
member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent members firms.

mate of mine’s dad mentioned to me that
I should go with him to training one night.
“So I went with Colm, and with my mate
Ryan, and I just loved it.
“Honestly, day one, went up and loved
it. As I said I was a big kid so I suppose
parts of it came easily to me and I just
went from there.”
He was still relatively young, 11-years-old
and in sixth class he reckons, so while
he was a late starter, there was plenty of
time to play catch up.
Lasisi went to the CBS in Enniscorthy but
again it would have been easier for him
to drift to other sports.
“The CBS was great and while we had
a rugby team, we were more a GAA
school so the majority of the lads on the
rugby team we had were GAA players
that just happened to play rugby.
“It wasn’t a huge focus for the school but
thankfully I was still involved and loving
my rugby at the club. I played there from
U-11 all the way to U-18 and I suppose
in around U-16 level, I started to get
selected elsewhere.”
Getting selected elsewhere at that level
of course means the Shane Horgan Cup
where the five areas of Leinster compete
to bring home the provincial honours.
His area is of course the South-East and
the best club players at U-16 and U-18
level from that area get to pull on the
jersey and start their representative road.
It leads then to the Leinster Clubs team
at U-18, then the Leinster U-19s and
all things going well, to the Leinster
U-20s and a spot potentially in the sub-
Academy.
Until a global pandemic shows up and
has other ideas.
“I was happy because I got into the
Leinster U-20s but I never stepped foot
inside the Centre of Excellence because
of Covid-19. It all got pushed back and
then cancelled. So it suddenly became
much harder to make it, if that makes
sense?”
It certainly does.
It’s a story well told on these pages over
the last few weeks.
Look at our chats with Marcus Hanan
and Jack Boyle and the challenges
they faced in their quest for Academy
contracts when there were no
opportunities to do their thing on an
actual rugby pitch.
And that has been replicated at all levels
and people falling away from sport
when opportunities were not available.
Lasisi has seen it at his own club.
“I know lads back in Enniscorthy and
they have stuck with the GAA, whereas
before Covid-19 they were really decent
rugby players that also played GAA.
“Some lads have been lost to all sports,
not just rugby, and that’s a pity.”
He wasn’t lost, but he could have been.
“I honestly didn’t see this as an option,
getting an Academy contract because
there was no rugby. By now I was
transferred to Lansdowne FC in Dublin
while studying but no games to play.
“So how do you show what you can do?
“I was studying in TUD (formerly DIT)
studying Mechanical Engineering, I was
training away with Lansdowne and then
I got an opportunity with the Ireland
U-20s.
“But like I said, I wasn’t in the Centre
of Excellence down in Energia Park
or anything. I wasn’t having those
conversations. That was until I played
with the Ireland U-20s and I suppose the
possibility opened up again. I got my
first cap there at that level, I had a good
campaign and that’s when it all took off.”
So what was the plan?
“Continue my studies, continue the rugby
with Lansdowne and just see where it all
got me. I won’t lie, I really didn’t expect
any of this!
“It’s class! I have the contract now and
I haven’t a bad word to say about my
time in the Academy so far. It’s been
unbelievable.”
The studies are still ongoing and going
well but again it wasn’t the road best
travelled for a young Lasisi.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 95

“In first year in the CBS I made a massive
mistake! I chose languages for my
modules!
“I was doing that until Junior Cert as
my module but it was a big mistake
and it wasn’t until I did terrible in a few
exams that a teacher sat my folks down
and said ‘look, we think he should
look at another option, he’s not great
at languages!’ That was the chat and
thankfully we took that advice.
“I got into fifth year and I changed to
engineering and technical drawing. I
love metal work, I enjoy working with
my hands and that element really suited
me and I chose those two subjects for
the Leaving and left the languages
behind me! I did well then in the Leaving
and especially in engineering so it was
an obvious choice choosing it for my
degree.”
Working with your hands and being
comfortable doing same is something
that all modern props, excelling at an
elite level, need to be good at.
“Definitely. It’s no longer good enough
to lock down a scrum and be good at
your set piece. You now have to bring
more to your game. Be explosive in the
loose, be able to run, to pass off both
sides equally well and have good
hands to bring others into the
game and be an option.
I started out as
a loosehead but I’ve
moved across to
tighthead recently so
I wouldn’t have had a
clue! But Andrew Porter
has been brilliant.
96 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

“The role of a prop has definitely evolved
and moved on. They’re more diverse in
terms of what they can do and hopefully
I can evolve like that too.”
He had previously listed Cian Healy as
his hero growing up.
What’s it like now working in and around
the same environment as him?
“The first three weeks, I was definitely
a little taken aback, a bit mad! In and
around the place and training with lads
that I had watched growing up. It was
crazy but then you quickly realise just
how sound and normal everyone is and
how willing they are to help you.
“I started out as a loosehead but I’ve
moved across to tighthead recently so I
wouldn’t have had a clue! But Andrew
Porter has been brilliant. The two
positions are so different but he went
through the same transition as a prop so
he has been excellent in and around that
but also Tadhg (Furlong) and how good
he has been giving me tips.
“They have all been great. There is a
great work ethic and ethos around the
props I think and that element of helping
each other has definitely been there from
day one and I’ve loved it.”
It is probably no bad thing to hear of that
help and encouragement when you hear
of the schedule the young 20-year-old
has on a daily basis.
“I’d be in UCD or down in Energia Park
for 7am most mornings until one or two
o’clock and then it’s about trying to make
the lectures at three o’clock for a few
hours and then most days I try to hit the
library for an hour before heading home.
“I also eat! I’m trying to bulk up and put
on weight at the moment so I eat a fair
bit during the day or going to college or
whatever.
“It’s a long day, home for 6.30pm or so
to an apartment. I’m in in Smithfield. I
won’t lie. I’m here with a few lads and it’s
fairly messy!
“But I’m really enjoying it all.”
For a man who didn’t think this would be
his path in life, what has been the biggest
change?
“The organisation definitely. There is a
lot to fit in and a lot of scheduling. Then
it’s just working with so many leaders in
their field. Whether that is S&C coaches
like Dave Fagan or the team up in UCD
or Sophie (Conroy) on the nutrition side
of things.
“A lot of that was new to me in terms of it
being every day. Now every area of my
life is mapped out and looked after and
yet they also encourage the academic
side so you are encouraged to finish out
college and to get your degree and they
work with you to make that work.”
There is maybe one area of his life that
has yet to receive the attention that is
deserves; and that is his competence as
a piano player.
Whereas once there was that ability,
now?
“Yeah not so much! I’d be lucky now if I
could belt out Ba Ba Black Sheep on the
piano! That has slipped down the priority
list a fair bit as I am so out of practice!”
Like the 11-year-old Temi Lasisi that
rocked up to Enniscorthy RFC, time is
most definitely on his side.
For the piano practice and also for his
rugby career to take that next significant
step with a senior debut.
But he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Life has been mad until now, and no
doubt there will be other twists and turns,
but rugby is very much here to stay for
the young Wexford man.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 97

Leinster Rugby Academy
Year Three 2021/22:
Leinster Rugby Academy
Year two 2021/22:
Second Row
Brian Deeny
DOB: 02/03/2000
HEIGHT: 1.99m WEIGHT: 121kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (8 caps)
Did You Know: Brian played youth rugby with Wexford
Wanderers RFC. He got his first Irish cap playing for
Ireland Under-18 Sevens. Brian played midfield for
his school St Peter’s College in Gaelic football and
reached the All-Ireland Colleges Final in 2017. He is
currently studying Science in Trinity and lives in Abbey
House B&B, Wexford...if you are looking for a room?!
Instagram: brian_deeny
wing
Niall Comerford
DOB: 06/04/2000
HEIGHT: 1.83m WEIGHT: 86kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20
Did You Know: Niall played both hurling and Gaelic
football with Kilmacud Crokes for 14 years. He also
represented Dublin in Gaelic football in the U17
Leinster Championship. He is currently studying
Commerce in UCD.
Instagram: niall_c123
Cormac Foley #1299
DOB: 24/10/1999
HEIGHT: 1.81m WEIGHT: 88kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (9 caps)
& Leinster Rugby (1 cap)
Marcus Hanan #1295
DOB: 03/10/2000
HEIGHT:1.8m WEIGHT:110.91kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (2 caps)
& Leinster Rugby (3 caps)
Scrum Half
Did You Know: Started playing rugby with Greystones
RFC when he was nine. Growing up, Cormac did a lot
of show jumping and he is now studying Economics and
Finance in UCD.
Instagram: cormacfoley6
prop
Did You Know? Marcus is from Clane in Kildare and is the
youngest of three. His dad went to the High School and then
played rugby in Old Wesley before coaching back at Clane
RFC. Marcus has Italian connections on his mother’s side with her
father, Luigi Rea, being from Italy. Marcus is studying Business
Management in Griffith College. Instagram: @marcus_hanan
Back Row
Martin Moloney #1300
DOB: 19/10/1999
HEIGHT: 1.88m WEIGHT: 99kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (5 caps) &
Leinster Rugby (1 cap)
Did You Know: Martin played hurling for Kildare and
played GAA and basketball for his secondary school,
Knockbeg College, and local GAA club, St Laurence’s.
He played his youth rugby with Athy RFC. He is now
studying Business and Law in UCD, He also enjoys
working on the family farm. Instagram: martin_moloney
Second Row
Joe McCarthy
DOB: 26/03/2001
HEIGHT: 1.95m WEIGHT: 119kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (3 caps)
Did You Know: Joe started playing rugby with Blackrock
College RFC at the age of six before moving to
Willow Park and then Blackrock College. He was also
on the Blackrock swim team for five years. He’s currently
studying Global Business in Trinity College Dublin.
Instagram: joetmmcc
Second Row
Charlie Ryan
DOB: 03/02/1999
HEIGHT: 2.01m WEIGHT: 115kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (15 caps)
Did You Know: Charlie played youth rugby at Blackrock
College RFC while also attending the school since
Senior Infants. He captained Ireland to the U20 Grand
Slam in 2019 and again for the U20s World Cup. His
friends call him Chuck! He is currently studying Business
and Legal Studies in UCD.
Instagram: chuck_ryan5
hooker
John McKee
DOB: 15/02/2000
HEIGHT: 1.82m WEIGHT: 105kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (12 caps)
Did You Know: John grew up in Belfast going to school
at Campbell College where he won a Senior Cup. He
was involved with Ulster at age grade level until moving
to Dublin after school. He also has multiple medals
from Northern Irish Schools Judo competitions.
Instagram: johnmckee_
Centre
Liam Turner #1287
DOB: 14/07/1999
HEIGHT: 1.73m WEIGHT: 91kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (10 caps)
& Leinster Rugby (6 caps)
Did You Know: Liam started to play rugby at the age
of six at Blackrock College RFC. He later joined
Blackrock College and was part of the 2018 Senior Cup
winning team. He was also part of the Ireland U20 team
that went on to win the 2019 Grand Slam. Liam currently
studys BESS in Trinity College. Instagram: liamtn123
Centre / Full Back
Jamie Osborne #1294
DOB: 16/11/2001
HEIGHT:1.93m WEIGHT:96.82kg
HONOURS: Leinster Rugby (9 caps)
Did you know? Jamie is studying commerce in UCD. His
grandad, Paddy Osborne, was a horse trainer in Naas,
while his dad played rugby all throughout his life and
his mum played hockey. Other than rugby, Jamie loves
all sports especially soccer, GAA and NFL. Jamie is
currently in a house with fellow Leinster Academy players
Brian Deeny, Martin Moloney and Max O’Reilly.
Instagram: @jamieosborne01
98 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

Seán O’Brien #1297
Lee Barron
Back Row
DOB: 31/07/2000
HEIGHT: 1.90m WEIGHT: 103kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (3 caps)
& Leinster Rugby (2 caps)
Did You Know: Seán started playing rugby at age
six with Greystones RFC where he played up until Under-13.
He then played on the Junior and Senior Cup
teams in Blackrock College. He is currently studying
Economics and Finance in UCD
Instagram: seanobrien456
Hooker
DOB: 15/02/2001
HEIGHT: 1.91m WEIGHT: 108kg
Did You Know: Lee played golf growing up in the
Castle Golf Club and in the end was playing off a
handicap of eight. He has family roots in Carlow but
went to school in Dublin and attended St Michael’s College.
As well as rugby with his school, he also played
GAA and even lined out in Croke Park.
Instagram: @lleebarron
Max O’Reilly #1291
Chris Cosgrave
Full Back
DOB: 26/02/2000
HEIGHT: 1.85m WEIGHT: 86kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (3 caps) &
Leinster Rugby (7 caps)
Did You Know: Max is currently in his third year of
Business and Management in DIT. His preferred sport
was soccer until about the age of 15, which he had
played at centre midfield with Enniskerry FC for over 10
years and also for Wicklow.
Instagram: max_oreilly
full back
DOB: 24/07/2001
HEIGHT:1.83m WEIGHT:85kg
Did You Know: Chris is a member of UCD RFC, where
he is also an Ad Astra scholar studying Agricultural
Science. His athleticism is best highlighted by his feats
in the field of Athletics with All-Ireland honours to his
name in both the 4x100m relay and the Discus. Before
the UCD and St Michael’s College days, he played at
a young age with Old Belvedere RFC.
Instagram: @chriscosgrave1
Andrew Smith #1292
Mark Hernan
DOB: 21/07/2000
HEIGHT: 1.83m WEIGHT: 91kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (3 caps) &
Leinster Rugby (2 caps)
DOB: 04/07/2000
HEIGHT: 1.88m WEIGHT: 99kg
Back Three
Did You Know: Andrew is currently studying Quantity
Surveying and Construction Economics in TUD. In
2019, he won the Leinster Schools Senior Cup with St
Michael’s College. Andrew also played Gaelic football
with his local club - Clanna Gael Fontenoy GAA Club.
Instagram: andrew.sm1th
Flanker
Did You Know: Mark was coached by Ross Molony,
Josh Murphy, Ross Byrne and Nick McCarthy when in
St. Michael’s College. His grandfather Fergus O’Brien
was Lord Mayor of Dublin and his father, Ray, played
for Connacht seniors and Ireland u25s.
Instagram: @mark_hernani
Alex Soroka #1296
Temi Lasisi
Back Row
DOB: 19/02/2001
HEIGHT: 1.95m WEIGHT: 104.5kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (7 caps)
& Leinster Rugby (2 caps)
Did You Know: Alex’s family moved to Ireland from
Ukraine shortly before his birth. He was born in Cork
before moving to Dublin.
Instagram: alex._.soroka
prop
DOB: 09/05/2001
HEIGHT: 1.78m WEIGHT: 115.8kg
Did You Know: The TUD Mechanical Engineering
student originally picked up the oval ball in Enniscorthy
before later moving to Lansdowne FC. Temi rose
through the ranks in the Youths system, his first outing
with the province came at U-18 level against Northampton.
He also describes himself as a ‘competent
pianist’.
Instagram: @lasisi.temi
Leinster Rugby Academy
Year one 2021/22:
Scrum half
Ben Murphy
DOB: 23/04/2001
HEIGHT: 1.75m WEIGHT: 80kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (3 caps)
& Leinster Rugby (1 cap)
Did You Know: Ben played all different sports growing
up including football, GAA and golf and won an 800m
gold in the U-14 East Leinsters. He is studying economics
in UCD. Ben’s father Richie played for Leinster
Rugby and has coached at all levels of the game and is
the current Ireland U-20s head coach. I
nstagram: @ben._murphy01
Jack Boyle
DOB: 10/03/2002
HEIGHT: 1.85m WEIGHT: 106kg
HONOURS: Ireland U20 (4 caps)
Rob Russell #1302
DOB: 13/01/1999
HEIGHT: 1.83m WEIGHT: 90kg
Leinster Rugby (2 caps)
Prop
Did You Know: Jack’s father, Herbie, and uncles, Colon
and Eric, all represented Old Wesley rugby club for
years. His cousin Stephen Boyle also represented the
Leinster Rugby youths. Jack is currently studying for a
Commerce Degree in UCD.
Instagram: @jackboyle1
Full Back / Wing
Did You Know: Rob is currently in his final year of
Business and Management in DIT. He started playing
rugby at the age of five with Wanderers RFC. He also
played football up to minor level with Kilmacud Crokes
and it took priority over rugby until he left school.
Instagram: @robrussell7
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 99

Date
25/09
03/10
09/10
16/10
22/10
27/11
03/12
KO/
Result
W
31-3
W
7-6
W
43-7
Opposiotion Venue 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 1 2
URC VODACOM
BULLS
URC DRAGONS
Aviva
Stadium
Rodney
Parade
URC ZEBRE RDS Arena J O’BRIEN
KEENAN O’LOUGHLIN RINGROSE FRAWLEY LOWE
SEXTON
3C 1P
MCGRATH
PORTER
1T
SHEEHAN
KEENAN RUSSELL RINGROSE C O’BRIEN O’LOUGHLIN R BYRNE GIBSON-PARK PORTER SHEEHAN
A BYRNE
2T
OSBORNE
FRAWLEY
W
50-15 URC SCARLETS RDS Arena KEENAN LARMOUR RINGROSE FRAWLEY
1C
W
31-15
URC GLASGOW
Scotstoun
Stadium
KEENAN
1T
A BYRNE
1T
L
10-20 URC ULSTER RDS Arena J O’BRIEN A BYRNE HENSHAW
1T
W
47-19 URC CONNACHT RDS Arena KEENAN LARMOUR 1T RINGROSE
1T
11 Dec 15:15 HCC BATH
17 Dec 20:00 HCC MONTPELLIER
26/12 19:35 URC MUNSTER
01/01 19:35 URC ULSTER
Aviva
Stadium
GGL (Altrad)
Stadium
Thomond
Park
Kingspan
Stadium
07/01 19:35 URC SIGMA LIONS RDS Arena
fixtures and
results 2021/22
LARMOUR
1T
LOWE
RINGROSE FRAWLEY LOWE
FRAWLEY
HENSHAW
LARMOUR
LOWE
H BYRNE
SEXTON
1C 1P
R BYRNE
4C 1P
R BYRNE
1C 1P
H BYRNE
5C
MCGRATH
GIBSON-PARK
MCGRATH
E BYRNE
1T
PORTER
1T
HEALY
CRONIN
1T
KELLEHER
1T
KELLEHER
1T
MCGRATH E BYRNE TRACY
MCGRATH
HEALY
SHEEHAN
1T
16 Jan 13:00 HCC MONTPELLIER RDS Arena
22 Jan 13:00 HCC BATH
28/29/30
Jan
18/19/20
Feb
04/05/06
Mar
25/26/27
Mar
01/02/03
Apr
22/23/24
Apr
29/30/01
Apr
20/21/22
May
TBC
URC CARDIFF
RUGBY
Recreation
Ground
Cardiff Arms
Park
TBC URC OSPREYS RDS Arena
TBC
URC BENETTON
tadio
Monigo
TBC URC CONNACHT Sportsground
TBC URC MUNSTER RDS Arena
TBC
TBC
URC CELL C
SHARKS
URC DHL
STORMERS
Jonsson
Kings Park
Green Point
Stagium
TBC URC EDINBURGH RDS Arena
100 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

3 4 5 6 7 8 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
ALAALATOA MOLONY J RYAN RUDDOCK
VAN DER FLIER
1T
ALAALATOA MOLONY RYAN RUDDOCK VAN DER FLIER
ALAALATOA BAIRD TONER LEAVY
FURLONG MOLONY RYAN
DORIS
2T
PENNY
1T
VAN DER FLIER
DORIS
DEEGAN
1T
RUDDOCK
CONAN
FURLONG MOLONY BAIRD DORIS LEAVY CONAN
TRACY
1T
E BYRNE HEALY BAIRD DEEGAN GIBSON-PARK
R BYRNE
1T 1C
TRACY E BYRNE HEALY BAIRD LEAVY N MCCARTHY C FRAWLEY
KELLEHER
1T
SHEEHAN
2T
SHEEHAN
1T
DOOLEY HEALY MOLONY DEEGAN N MCCARTHY
HEALY
1T
ALAALATOA BAIRD RUDDOCK MCGRATH
SEXTON
4C
R BYRNE
3C
OSBORNE
S PENNY
[UNUSED]
RUSSELL
T O’BRIEN
E BYRNE ALAALATOA TONER RUDDOCK GIBSON-PARK OSBORNE VAN DER FLIER
FURLONG MOLONY TONER LEAVY PENNY RUDDOCK CRONIN DOOLEY ABDALADZE DEEGAN CONNORS N MCCARTHY H BYRNE T O’BRIEN
ALA’ALATOA
BAIRD
1T
TONER
RUDDOCK
1T
VAN DER FLIER
DORIS
1T
KELLEHER PORTER ABDALADZE J MURPHY
DEEGAN
1T
N MCCARTHY
R BYRNE
1C
T O’BRIEN
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 101

Squads matchday
officials
REFEREE
PIERRE BROUSSET (FRA)
ASSISTANT REFEREE
LUC RAMOS (FRA)
ASSISTANT REFEREE
FLAVIEN HOURQUET (FRA)
TMO
ERIC GAUZINS (FRA)
Hugo Keenan
Jordan Larmour
Garry Ringrose
Ciarán Frawley
James Lowe
Ross Byrne
Jamison Gibson-Park
Andrew Porter
Rónan Kelleher
Tadhg Furlong
Ross Molony
Ryan Baird
Rhys Ruddock [C]
Josh van der Flier
Caelan Doris
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
FULL BACK
RIGHT WING
OUTSIDE CENTRE
INSIDE CENTRE
LEFT WING
FLY HALF
SCRUM HALF
Tom de Glanville
Semesa Rokoduguni
Will Butt
Max Ojomoh
Will Muir
Orlando Bailey
Ben Spencer
LOOSE HEAD
1
PROP Lewis Boyce
FRONT PAGE
HOOKER Jacques du Toit
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TIGHT HEAD PROP
SECOND ROW
SECOND ROW
BLINDSIDE FLANKER
OPENSIDE FLANKER
NUMBER 8
Will Stuart
Josh McNally
Charlie Ewels [C]
Tom Ellis
Richard de Carpentier
Josh Bayliss
CITING COMMISSIONER
JEFF MARK (WAL)
Dan Sheehan
Cian Healy
Michael Ala’alatoa
Devin Toner
Max Deegan
Luke McGrath
Jimmy O’Brien
Tommy O’Brien
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
Tom Dunn
Arthur Cordwell
D’Arcy Rae
Will Spencer
Ewan Richards
Joe Simpson
Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Tom Prydie

At Sword we know how important the Game is.
We know how important your memories are ....so relax
and enjoy yourself, you're in safe hands.
LEINSTER RUGBY FANS .... Secured by the team at Sword
Dublin: 01-6688220
info@swordsecurity.com
www.swordsecurity.com
Securing Sports Fans around the World.

Parting
Shots
3 December 2021
Emily McKeown is presented with
her cap by Leinster Rugby President
John Walsh during the Leinster
Rugby Womens Cap and Jersey
Presentation at the RDS Library in
Dublin.
3 December 2021
Alice O’Dowd is presented with her
cap by Leinster Rugby President
John Walsh during the Leinster
Rugby Womens Cap and Jersey
Presentation at the RDS Library in
Dublin.
3 December 2021
Mary Healy is presented with her
cap by Leinster Rugby President
John Walsh during the Leinster
Rugby Womens Cap and Jersey
Presentation at the RDS Library in
Dublin.
104 | www.leinsterrugby.ie
Photos by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

RUGBY.
DELIVERED.
TEAMWORK. SPEED. DELIVERY. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE
OFFICIAL LOGISTICS PARTNER. DHL.