Leinster Rugby vs Cardiff Rugby

VSLEINSTER 

ISSUE 09 | LEINSTER RUGBY OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 

VS 

cardiff 

rugby 

SAT 28 th JANUARY 

RDS ARENA 

KO 5.05PM

Our People, Our Home 

TWELVE COUNTIES. ONE SHIRT. 

Aaron Craig 

From a lad wearing Leinster blue to the RDS, to 

designing this season’s shirt. Aaron Craig’s journey has 

been amazing. The adidas Designer talks us through 

his design and what it means to create the shirt for his 

boyhood club. 

How did you begin working with adidas? 

When I was at the National College of Art and Design Dublin, I learned 

of adidas’ intern program. A lifelong fan of the brand, I knew it was an 

amazing opportunity. Luckily, I got to join adidas as an intern in 2016 

and I’ve been in Herzogenaurach (adidas HQ) ever since. I’m now a 

licensed apparel designer for some of the biggest teams in the world. 

What drew you to this project? 

Leinster asked if there were any Irish designers at adidas HQ they 

could collaborate with. For a lad who comes from Leinster that grew 

up supporting the team, this was a massive bucket list moment. My 

grandfather even worked the entrance gates the RDS and Donnybrook 

for years. 

What was your inspiration for the design? 

The inspiration came quite naturally. Each county of Leinster was to be 

represented equally with their heraldic crests – instantly recognisable 

symbols. I wanted to recount my own Leinster memories too. That 

meant introducing the darker blue sleeves and the collegiate gold 

detailing. To me, it’s a design that could be worn by players from any 

generation, from O’Driscoll to Sexton. 

How do you keep designs fresh year on year? 

We work closely with clubs to find authentic and fresh stories. At 

adidas, we also want to be at the forefront of performance technologies 

and sustainability. So every year we work to combine the two. 

Which design excited you the most? 

On a professional level, I designed the Spanish national team kits for 

the World Cup this season. The biggest sporting event there is. But, 

on a personal level, being part of the first adidas Celtic jersey in 2020 

and now seeing the framed Leinster kits in my parents’ home in Dublin 

might just be level with the World Cup. 

How does it feel to see your designs worn by thousands of fans? 

Seeing your jersey enjoyed by fans is definitely one of the most 

rewarding aspects of our jobs. Seeing people of all ages around Dublin 

on game day. Outside the pubs and cafés around the RDS. It’s a real 

pinch yourself moment for sure.

Newstead Building A, 

UCD, 

Belfield, 

Dublin 4 

#LEIVCAR 

The Line up 

Telephone: 

012693224 

Fax: 

012693142 

E-mail: 

information@leinsterrugby.ie 

www.leinsterrugby.ie 

10 

34 

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT 

President: Debbie Carty 

Chief Executive: Shane Nolan 

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: Andrew Goodman 

Kicking Coach: Emmet Farrell 

Contact Skills Coach: Seán O’Brien 

14 

PROGRAMME CREDITS 

Editorial Team: Marcus Ó Buachalla 

& Daniel Kelly 

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 

62 

86 

STAY 

CONNECTED 

& KEEP 

UP-TO-DATE 

www.leinsterrugby.ie | 3

Debbie Carty welcome 

PRESIDENT, LEINSTER RUGBY 2022/23 

On behalf of Leinster Rugby, I 

would like to welcome you all to 

the RDS Arena for this afternoon’s 

match against Cardiff in round 

thirteen of this season’s BKT 

United Rugby Championship. 

In particular, I wish to extend a 

warm welcome to Dublin to our 

Welsh visitors, to Alun Jones their 

Chairman, to the squad, their 

Head Coach Steve Law and their 

management team and hope you 

are enjoying your visit here for 

the URC competition. 

Leinster have won their last twelve 

matches in the URC and their last four 

matches in the Heineken Champions 

Cup against Racing 92 and Gloucester, 

I would like to congratulate the Leinster 

squad captained by Garry Ringrose over 

the last while, on their EPCR and URC 

wins to date. 

Leinster are leading in the URC, and will 

be confident heading into tonight’s match 

but the loss last year over in Cardiff will 

no doubt be still fresh in the minds of 

these players. We also expect Cardiff 

to be confident after having won three 

rounds in the Challenge Cup and seven 

of their matches in the URC. We expect 

tonight to be a challenging and physical 

match as it always is against the team in 

the light blue jerseys. 

On the domestic front, it’s going to be 

a busy few weeks ahead as we get into 

the business end of the leagues and I 

would like to congratulate North Meath 

on winning Leinster League Division 3 last 

Sunday, and I would personally like to 

thank their minis girls who presented me 

with a bunch of flowers. I was delighted 

with the girls and the flowers! 

The draws for the Band of Ireland 

Provincial Towns Cup and the Metro 

Cup have both been drawn with some 

interesting games and local derbies 

coming from it. The Towns Cup will 

be starting on the 12th February, with 

the start of the Metro Cup still to be 

confirmed at the time of writing. I would 

advise you all to get down to your local 

club for what will be some cracking 

games of rugby. 

On the interprovincials side, the women’s 

competition has finished, with Leinster 

winning two of their three matches but 

unfortunately, they lost against Munster 

who went on to win the series. I’m sure 

the team under the steerage of Tania 

Rosser will have learned from their 

three games and it will all stand to them 

going forward. With so many positive 

performances and debuts, it’s a great 

foundation for this coaching group and 

squad of players. 

The Seán O’Brien Hall of Fame Awards 

and lunch hasn’t been on for the last 

few years because of Covid but I am 

delighted to say that it was back this 

year at a sold out Bective Rangers RFC. 

I look forward to attending a great lunch 

where we will celebrate Junior Rugby 

in our province and I look forward also 

to meeting the nominees that are up 

for the award. I would like to sincerely 

thank Bective Rangers for giving us their 

function room for the day. 

I would like to welcome to the RDS this 

evening the mini rugby teams who will 

play at half time in the Bank of Ireland 

Mini Games. To the players from Arklow, 

Boyne, Mullingar and Seapoint, your 

coaches and parents, I know you will 

all enjoy the occasion. I would ask all 

supporters to show your appreciation and 

cheer on these young stars of the future. 

To our title sponsor Bank of Ireland, great 

patrons of both our professional and 

domestic games, who along with all our 

premium partners and suppliers, who do 

so much to support Leinster Rugby, I offer 

my sincere thanks. 

Finally, to you the fans, our Season Ticket 

Holders, members of the Official Leinster 

Supporters Club and friends of Leinster, I 

thank you for the contribution you make 

on match days. 

I am sure this evening will be no different 

as you get the roar going and the flags 

waving to cheer on “the boys in blue” to 

another victory. 

Let us hope for an energetic, exciting and 

injury free match this evening. 

Debbie Carty 

Leinster Rugby President 2022/23 

4 | www.leinsterrugby.ie

I would 

like to 

congratulate 

the Leinster 

squad 

captained 

by Garry 

Ringrose 

over the last 

while, on 

their EPCR 

and URC wins 

to date. 


Leo Cullen 

head Coach Welcome 

A warm welcome to the RDS Arena for this 

evening’s BKT United Rugby Championship 

game against Cardiff. We all remember 

that Dai Young’s team managed to get one 

over on us this time last season so we 

know we’re in for a stiff challenge today. 

A special thanks to everyone who 

turned out at the Aviva Stadium 

last week for our Heineken 

Champion’s Cup fixture against 

Racing 92. 

We feel very lucky to have the 

opportunity to play a home group stage 

game in front of more than 43,000 

people in such a special atmosphere. It 

was a hard-fought win for us in the end, 

but thankfully we now have a home draw 

in the next round against Ulster on 1 

April, at 5.30pm. 

6 | www.leinsterrugby.ie 

That’s a really exciting prospect but it’s 

not for a few weeks yet, and we have 

plenty of work to do in the URC before 

then. 

As I say, the atmosphere last weekend 

was cracking, and I’d like to thank all 

the OLSC volunteers for their time and 

effort in creating the ‘Sea of Blue’ that 

greeted us at the Aviva. I can’t tell you 

what a lift it gives to the entire group to 

get a welcome like that, and hopefully 

we’ll have a few more before the end of 

the season. 

Congratulations to Scott Penny who 

made his Champions Cup debut against 

Racing. Well done also to Luke McGrath 

who made his fiftieth appearance in the 

competition. 

A big thanks to all the team’s sponsors, 

especially Bank of Ireland. Stability 

behind the scenes plays a hugely 

important part in our (and every team’s) 

success and we’re really lucky to have 

strong relationships with some of Ireland’s 

best brands. I say it all the time but only 

because it’s true – we couldn’t do it 

without you! 

On a less happy note, this week we also 

had to absorb the sad news of Charlie 

Ryan’s retirement due to knee 

injury. Charlie has been a fantastic 

leader throughout his underage 

career and a great character to 

have in any team. We will miss 

him greatly and wish him every 

success in the future – he’ll be an asset 

wherever he goes. 

With a good chunk of our squad away 

in Portugal on Ireland duty, today’s game 

will see a few of our younger players 

getting an opportunity. 

These are great weeks for coaches, 

families and friends as nothing beats 

seeing players make their debuts for 

Leinster. Good luck to the lads and well 

done to everyone along the line who 

contributed to the career paths of all 

these players. 

This ten-game block, stretching back 

to late November, has thrown up all 

sorts of challenges and I’d like to 

pay tribute to our backroom team 

who have managed the group 

brilliantly. 

We are lucky to have some 

outstanding coaches and 

support staff whose hard 

work and dedication ensures 

that every match day squad 

is primed and ready to go. 

Whatever we achieve this 

season, our backroom team 

will have played an integral 

role. 

In the meantime, enjoy this 

evening’s game and here’s to 

the younger players getting their 

chance! 

Leo 

Thanks for your support,

Charlie 

has been a 

fantastic 

leader 

throughout 

his underage 

career and 

a great 

character to 

have in any 

team. 


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laura 

lynch 

BANK OF IRELAND 

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 

A very warm 

welcome to the rds 

arena from Bank 

of Ireland as we 

look forward to 

this afternoon’s 

fixture. 

Bank of Ireland are proud partners to Leinster 

Rugby. Like us, they are rooted in local communities 

across the 12 counties of Leinster. 

We are delighted to support Leo Cullen and his coaching 

team in building Leinster Rugby through clubs and schools, 

developing home grown talent and always ensuring that 

Leinster #NeverStopCompeting. 

Much of that amazing talent will be on display on the pitch this 

afternoon. 

We wish Leinster Rugby every success, and hope that you 

enjoy the game. 

Laura Lynch. 


CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 


Did you 

know? 

• Leinster Rugby have won 

all twelve fixtures they 

have played so far in this 

season’s BKT United Rugby 

Championship only missing 

out on a try bonus on four 

occasions. 

• The Leinstermen’s solitary 

defeat at the RDS Arena in 

the Championship since 

November 2021 was in last 

season’s semi-final to the 

Vodacom Bulls. 

• Leinster’s only defeat in 

their last seven fixtures 

against Welsh regions was to 

today’s opponents, Cardiff, 

at the Arms Park almost 

exactly twelve months ago. 

• Cardiff Rugby have won 

just one of their last 

four BKT United Rugby 

Championship matches: 29-24 

at Dragons RFC on Boxing Day. 

• The Welshmen have won 

three of their last four away 

games in the Championship. 

• Cardiff’s last six fixtures 

against Irish opponents have 

all been won by the home side 

on the day whilst their most 

recent victory away at an 

Irish province was on a trip 

to Connacht in September 

2017. 

• The most recent encounter 

between the two sides was 

a Cardiff victory at the 

Arms Park last January but 

the Welshmen have not won 

successive Championship 

games against the 

Leinstermen since 2004. 

COMPARISON 

Overall URC head-to-head record: 

Played 32, Leinster won 24, Cardiff won 6 with 2 matches drawn. 

Last 3 URC results: 

26 Dec - Munster (A) W 20-19 26 Dec - Dragons (A) W 29-24 

1 Jan - Connacht (H) W 41-12 1 Jan - Ospreys (H) L 19-22 

7 Jan - Ospreys (A) W 24-19 7 Jan - Scarlets (H) L 22-28 

URC 2022/23 

1ST - W12 D0 L0 - 56PTS 

10TH - W6 D0 L6 - 29PTS 

WWWWWW (28pts) 

URC form 

LWLWLL (12pts) 

Top try scorer 

8 - Dan Sheehan 5 - Josh Adams 

Top points scorer 

67 - Ross Byrne 89 - Jarrod Evans 

Date Venue L C Leinster scorers Cardiff scorers 

Sat 1 Oct 16 Cardiff Arms Park 16 13 Rhys Ruddock(T) Johnny Sexton(C/3P) Gareth Anscombe(T/C/2P) 

Sat 25 

Mar 17 

Fri 8 

Sep 17 

Fri 31 

Aug 18 

Sun 22 

Nov 20 

Sat 29 

Jan 22 

RDS Arena 22 21 Ross Byrne(2C/P) Dan Leavy(T) Luke 

McGrath(T) Ross Molony(T) 

RDS Arena 37 9 Ross Byrne(4C/3P) Barry Daly(T) James 

Tracy(T) Sean Cronin(T) Nick McCarthy(T) 

Cardiff Arms Park 33 32 Ross Byrne(2C/2P) James Tracy(T) Bryan 

Byrne(2T) Jamison Gibson-Park(T) Fergus 

McFadden(P) 

RDS Arena 40 5 Harry Byrne(5C) James Tracy(T) Scott 

Penny(2T) Dave Kearney(T) Michael 

Silvester(T) Jimmy O'Brien(T) 

Cardiff Arms Park 27 29 Adam Byrne(T) Ross Byrne(3C/2P) James 

Tracy(T) Scott Penny(T) 

Sion Bennett(T) Tomos Williams(2T) Steve 

Shingler(3C) 

Steve Shingler(3P) 

Rey Lee-Lo(2T) Jason Harries(2T) Jarrod 

Evans(3C/2P) 

Aled Summerhill(T) 

Hallam Amos(T) Owen Lane(T) Ben 

Thomas(P) Jarrod Evans(2C/4P) 



scott 

penny 

the big interview 

BY DANIEL KELLY 

Earlier 

this week, a 

segment from 

an interview 

with Scott 

Penny from 

last August 

was shared 

on Leinster 

Rugby’s social 

media accounts. 


Whenever 

you play for 

Leinster, you 

want to put 

the best foot 

forward, and 

build on the 

work done 

previously. 

Interviewer: “Personally, have 

you any goals for next season?” 

Penny: “Yeah! I want to kick on and try 

and play in the European Champions 

Cup this year.” 

The 23-year-old makes his 50th 

appearance for Leinster this evening, but 

last weekend’s appearance off the bench 

against Racing 92 was his first time 

experiencing European action. 

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since 

I came into Leinster”, Penny reaffirmed 

earlier this week. 

Although he almost brought up the halfcentury 

of caps last weekend, a mixture 

of events meant he had to wait longer 

than he hoped to test himself in Europe. 

“I had to wait a long time for various 

different reasons, like injury and Covid. 

It was great to finally get the chance to 

play in Europe. Doing it once is great, but 

it’s about trying to be in the team for the 

remaining games of the season, and for 

seasons to come. 

Penny had previously been given the nod 

by Leo Cullen to make his debut in 2021, 

before Covid-19 dashed those hopes. 

“Covid was something new for all of 

us, when games were getting canceled. 

I was meant to play in the Montpelier 

game that was canceled. It was 

annoying, but when it’s out of your 

control, you cant get too bogged down 

by it, or let it distract you.” 

Penny will make his ninth appearance of 

the season this evening, with six of those 

as starts. He impressed in both BKT URC 

wins over Munster, including a try-scoring 

performance in the Aviva, and a Player of 

the Match showing in Thomond Park. 

“It’s been a good season so far. We’ve 

had some great URC wins. The win 

against Munster in the Aviva stands out 

for me, but it’s brilliant to get back to the 

RDS this weekend. It’s our home. There’s 

always a brilliant atmosphere there, and I 

can’t wait for the weekend.” 

The St. Michael’s man was part of the 

Emerging Ireland team that traveled to 

South Africa at the start of the season, 

meaning his time at Leinster lessened 


in the opening months. Despite that, he 

was delighted to get the call to travel to 

Bloemfontein, where he scored twice in 

the win over Griquas. 

“It was great being exposed to the 

Irish coaches, and seeing their systems 

and how they play. I was named in the 

Ireland ‘A’ squad too, and although I 

didn’t get to play, it was great being 

in camp and working with the 

players, especially those from 

the other provinces.” 

With less than 90 minutes 

of action under his belt 

in 2023, Penny feels the 

upcoming matches are 

a brilliant opportunity to 

show what he is capable of 

for Leinster, and he hopes at 

international level too! 

“I feel like I’m in pretty good form at the 

moment, but it’s all about pushing to get 

into the European matchday squads. 

“You always want to put your best foot 

forward. Whenever you hear from the 

Ireland coaches - whether it’s at training 

here when they come to watch, or when 

in the Ireland squads - it’s all about 

showing you’re a good player, but also 

a good person, and you can be a good 

benefit to the squad. 

This evening’s game with Cardiff, is the 

first of three that will take place during 

the Six Nations, before a home game 

with Dragons in mid-February, 

followed by a trip to Edinburgh in 

early March. 

“We got three big games in the 

Six Nations block. We’re lucky at 

Leinster to have so many players 

away with Ireland, Other teams don’t 

have that many missing. 

“I think Cardiff have six or seven in the 

Wales squad, so they will be really 

strong. It’s up to us to try and keep the 

unbeaten run going. 


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“We’re good at Leinster to constantly 

change the team, and there is a major 

cohesion there when players come in 

and out. 

“Whenever you play for Leinster, you 

want to put the best foot forward, and 

build on the work done previously.” 

Cardiff lie in tenth place in the URC, and 

lead the standings in the Welsh Shield. 

The team are only a point outside the 

Play-Off positions, and Penny has been 

impressed by what he has seen from the 

team from the Arms Park. 

With the game coming one week before 

Wales and Ireland meet on the opening 

weekend of the Six Nations, he feels 

there is an added impetus for both teams 

this evening. 

“Cardiff are really good. They play 

good, expansive rugby. We need to be 

switched on in defence. They have a lot 

of experience. 

“Plenty in that team will want to be in the 

Wales camp so they will be fired up and 

will want to prove a point that they should 

be in the squad. 

“It’s the same for us though! A lot of us 

want to be in the Ireland squad - and to 

put our foot forward. 

“Cardiff are really attacking - no matter 

who is on the pitch. There are always 

injuries in the Six Nations so everybody 

will want to play well on both sides, and 

put themselves in the shop window.” 

While there is excitement around Leinster 

Rugby HQ after an impressive Pool Stage 

in the Heineken Champions Cup, there 

was sadness on Monday morning, with 

the news of Charlie Ryan’s retirement. 

It’s all the 

memories the 

place brings. I 

made my debut 

in the RDS. 

Anytime you go, 

there is always 

a good crowd. 


An Ireland U-20 Grand Slam-winning 

captain, Ryan was forced into retirement 

at the age of 23. Penny played with Ryan 

in that Ireland team, and the news this 

week gave him perspective on his own 

career. 

“I was devastated to hear Charlie had to 

retire. He worked so hard over the last 

few years to try and get back right. He 

gave it everything he could, and I’m sure 

he has no regrets over the work he put in. 

“It was sad to see - you don’t wish it upon 

anyone - but at the same time you 

have to be thankful for where 

you are and be grateful.” 

“We always get annoyed 

with injuries and when 

you’re not selected, but 

when you see the likes of 

Charlie and James [Tracy] 

having to retire - you see 

the bigger picture and 

be thankful you’re still 

playing.” 

In those 

tough games, 

when things 

are tough - 

you feel the 

crowd, and 

they get you 

through it, 

especially 

in the 

second half. 

When they’re 

on your side, 

it feels like 

an extra 

player. 

Penny has played four 

home games this season, 

with those being split in the 

RDS and the Aviva. He has 

fond memories of playing in the 


RDS, and also seeing his St Michaels win 

the Leinster Senior Cup in 2019. 

“It’s all the memories the place brings. I 

made my debut in the RDS. Anytime you 

go, there is always a good crowd. 

“In those tough games, when things are 

tough - you feel the crowd, and they get 

you through it, especially in the second 

half. When they’re on your side, it feels 

like an extra player.” 

While he hopes there will be no need 

to call on the proverbial extra player 

this evening, he hopes performances in 

matches like this lead to greater rewards 

in the weeks and months to come. 

“It’s all about taking each game as it 

comes, and putting the best foot forward. 

If I play well, hopefully an opportunity 

comes up for me to play in the Round of 

16 in the Champions Cup. 

“There is a World Cup coming around 

the corner too - so it’s all about trying to 

earn team selections.” 

He played the long game to wait for a 

chance in Europe. International honours 

hopefully aren’t too far away! 


36 10 

Action 

replay 

SATURDAY, 21ST JANUARY 2023 

AVIVA STADIUM 

ATTENDANCE: 43,560 

REFEREE: MATTHEW CARLEY (RFU) 

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP 

LEINSTER RUGBY 

Keenan, Larmour, Ringrose (capt), Osborne, 

O’Brien, R Byrne, Gibson-Park; Porter, 

Kelleher, Ala’alatoa, McCarthy, Ryan, Doris, 

van der Flier, Conan 

REPLACEMENTS: Sheehan, Milne, Healy, 

Molony, Baird, McGrath, H Byrne, Penny 

TRIES: O’Brien (2), Keenan (2), 

van der Flier, Ringrose 

CONVERSIONS: R Byrne (2), H Byrne 

RACING 92 

Gelant, Wade, Klemenczak, Fickou (capt), 

Dupichot, Russell, Le Garrec; Ben Arous, 

Tarrit, Nyakane, Chouzenoux, Palu, Lauret, 

Coulibaly, Kamikamica 

REPLACEMENTS: Narisia, Gogichashvili, 

Kharaishvili, Hemery, Baudonne, Gibert, 

Saili, Spring 

TRIES: Tarrit, Wade 

We made hard work of it out 

there today. In fairness to Racing, 

they stuck in there for the whole 

game. It was really tough, but we’re 

delighted to win and get a home 

game in the next round. 

Jack Conan 


It didn’t feel 

like a 26-point 

win... Eventually, 

we started to ware 

them down, but it 

took a fair chunk 

of time. The 

lads stuck 

to the 

task well! 

Leo Cullen 


21 Leinster players selected in 

Celtic Challenge squad 

21 Leinster players have been 

selected in the 43-player squad for 

the forthcoming Celtic Challenge 

competition. 

Ireland Head Coach Greg McWilliams 

and the National Coaching Team have 

named a panel that will compete against 

sides from Scotland and Wales. 

Leinster’s Hannah O’Connor and 

Munster’s Enya Breen have been named 

co-captains for the Celtic Challenge 

campaign. 

The Combined Provinces XV will play in 

two home and two away games over 

a six-week period. The first game of the 

competition took place last weekend with 

WRU Development XV defeating The 

Thistles 29-27 at Scotstoun Stadium. 

The Combined Provinces XV will play their 

two home games at Kingspan Stadium, 

facing the Scottish Thistles on Saturday 

4th February and the WRU Development 

XV on Saturday 18th February. 

The Irish sides’ first fixture of the 

competition is away to their Welsh 

counterparts tomorrow at the Cardiff Arms 

Park. 

The competition concludes four weeks 

prior to the start of the 2023 TikTok 

Women’s Six Nations Championship. 

Greg McWilliams, Ireland Head 

Coach, commented, “This is an exciting 

new competition that provides a really 

excellent opportunity for our extended 

squad of players to prepare for the TikTok 

Women’s Six Nations and gain valuable 

competitive experience and exposure to 

high level competition. 

recent Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial 

Championship. 

“It is an exciting group of players, 

combining youth and experience, and it 

will be invaluable for us to come together 

as a group for an extended period to 

build cohesion and connections ahead of 

the Six Nations campaign. We’re looking 

forward to the challenge over the coming 

weeks.” 

“The Celtic Challenge provides us as a 

national coaching group with a window 

to work closely with players we’ve 

been tracking throughout the Women’s 

Energia All-Ireland League and the 

Celtic Challenge Fixtures & Results 

The Thistles 27 WRU Development XV 29 

Sunday 22nd January 2023 – Scotstoun Stadium 

WRU Development XV v Combined Provinces XV 

Sunday 29th January 2023 – Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 11.00am) 

Combined Provinces XV v The Thistles 

Saturday 4th February 2023 – Kingspan Stadium, Belfast (KO: 4.30pm) 

WRU Development XV v The Thistles 

Saturday 11th February – Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 4.30pm) 

Combined Provinces XV v WRU Development XV 

Saturday 18th February 2023 – Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, (KO: 4.30pm) 

The Thistles v Combined Provinces XV 

Saturday 25th February 2023 – DAM Health Stadium (KO: 1.30pm) 


CLARA BARRETT 

(Connacht/UL Bohemians RFC) 

SOPHIE BARRETT 

(Ulster/Enniskillen RFC) 

CLAIRE BENNETT 

(Munster/UL Bohemians RFC) 

CHLOE BLACKMORE 

(Leinster/Railway Union RFC) 

MOLLY BOYNE 

(Leinster/Railway Union RFC/Dublin University FC) 

NATASJA BEHAN 

(Leinster/Blackrock College RFC) 

ENYA BREEN 

(Munster/Blackrock College RFC) 

(Co-Captain) 

MEGAN LOUISE COLLIS 


EIMEAR CORRI 


NICOLE CRONIN 


INDIA DALEY 

(Ulster/Cooke RFC/Enniskillen RFC) 

AOIFE DALTON 

(Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC) 

MEABH DEELY 

(Connacht/Blackrock College RFC) 

ORLA DIXON 

(Connacht/Galwegians RFC) 

LINDA DJOUGANG 


ANNA DOYLE 


AOIFE DOYLE 

(Munster/Railway Union RFC) 

ELLA DURKAN 

(Ulster/Blackrock College RFC) 

CHRISTY HANEY 


MARY HEALY 

(Leinster/Naas RFC/Suttonians RFC) 

EMMA HOOBAN 


AILSA HUGHES 


Combined Provinces Squad 

2023 Celtic Challenge 

BRITTANY HOGAN 

(Ulster/Old Belvedere RFC) 

JESS KEATING 


MAEVE NUALA LISTON 

(Ulster/Blackrock College RFC) 

MOLLY SCUFFIL McCABE 

(Leinster/Railway Union) 

KELLY McCORMILL 

(Ulster/Cooke RFC) 

SADHBH McGRATH 


RACHEL McILROY 

(Ulster/QUB RFC) 

DEIRBHILE NIC A BHAIRD 

(Munster/Old Belvedere RFC) 

DANNAH O’BRIEN 


HANNAH O’CONNOR 


(Co-Captain) 

NIAMH O’DOWD 


CLODAGH O’HALLORAN 


MAEVE OG O’LEARY 


ELLA ROBERTS 

(Leinster/Wicklow RFC) 

STACEY SLOAN 


LEAH TARPEY 


FIONA TUITE 

(Ulster/Old Belvedere RFC) 

AOIFE WAFER 


KAYLA WALDRON 

(Connacht/Galwegians RFC) 

DOROTHY WALL 


KATIE WHELAN 


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A – Action: If you could be a superhero, 

which would you be? 

Spiderman 

B – Boyhood: Who was your favourite 

sporting idol growing up? 

Brian O’Driscoll 

C – Childhood: What is your favourite 

childhood memory? 

Getting a go-kart for Christmas one of the 

years 

D – Dish: What’s your go-to pre-match 

meal? 

Pancakes 

E – Education: What was your favourite 

subject in school? 

Woodwork 

F – Film buff: What’s your favourite film? 

I Am Legend 

G – Groove: Who is the best dancer in the 

squad? 

Hard one that. All hopeless! 

H – Holiday: What’s your favourite 

holiday destination? 

Italy 

I – Inside: Who is the worst to sit beside 

in the dressing room? 

Brian Deeny 

J – Joker: Who is the funniest in the 

squad? 

Joe McCarthy 

K – Kick-off: What’s your favourite time 

of the day to play a match? 

Evening 

L – Languages: How many languages can 

you speak? 

I can barely speak English! 

M – Music: Your favourite artist and song 

right now? 

Malaki 

N – Number: Do you have a lucky 

number? 

Not really 


O – Others: What’s your 

favourite sport outside of 

rugby? 

Motorsport 

P – Pal: Who is your best mate 

in the squad? 

All de lads! 

Q – Quirky: Who has the most 

interesting fashion sense? 

Brian Deeny 

R – Red Carpet: Who is the most 

famous contact in your phone? 

Jamie Osborne 

S – Superstitions: Do you have 

any matchday routines? 

None 

T – Trim: What’s the worst 

haircut you’ve ever had? 

Blonde hair 

U: Under pressure: Who in the 

squad would be the best in a 

bad situation? 

Charlie ‘Chuck’ Ryan 

V – Verified: How often do you 

use social media? 

Every day 

W – Worst fear: What are you 

most scared of? 

Spiders 

X – X-ray: Have you ever broken 

any bones? 

Yes 

Y – Youth: Where did you grow 

up? 

Clane 

Z – Zoo: What’s your favourite 

animal? 

Dog 


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As the Vodafone Women’s Interpro Series concluded last weekend, Leinster 

Rugby is continuing focusing on some of the unsung heroes making the girls 

and the women’s game tick across the 12 counties of Leinster. 

These are their stories and 

their work. These are, The 

Women of Leinster Rugby. 

She had played a bit of 

everything as a child, narrowing 

her focus to softball, until knee 

trouble made her look for an 

alternative way of competing. 

“Oddly enough, I wanted to take up a 

sport that would be easier on them, so I 

took up rugby,” she laughs. 

Five days and two training sessions later, 

she turned up to her first match and was 

immediately placed at prop forward as 

an introduction to the game. 

“I think when you don’t know anything 

about the sport, it doesn’t matter where 

you start playing. It was nearly better that 

I didn’t know what I was getting into. 

“I rocked up on the first Saturday and 

soon asked a girl: ‘so, how long are these 

games?’ 

“80 minutes.” 

CHRISTY HANEY BY DES BERRY 

“There is no way I am running for 80 

minutes.” 

“It wasn’t too bad because I got a 

10-minute yellow card break in the 

middle of the match for boring in at a 

THE CO-CAPTAIN 

Ten years ago, at a sports 

fair at the University of 

Virginia (UVA), the presence 

of “a really cute, fluffy 

dog” drew Christy Haney to 

the rugby table. 

scrum. I didn’t have a clue what that was, 

but a moment to catch my breath in the 

sin-bin did me no harm.” 

In her first experience, Christy was 

fortunate to come across two tremendous 

coaches Julie Comer and Nancy 

Kechner, who was USA’s 2018 Women’s 

Coach of the Year. 

Christy knew she was made for the game 

when Nancy shared how “the prop Gods 

are smiling down on us” in reference to 

her progress at UVA. 

The UVA squad would get into local 

derbies with Virginia Tech and James 

Madison University, also routinely driving 

four-to-five hours to play matches in 

Pennsylvania or North Carolina and 

driving back home on the same day. 

“It was all an adventure back then. We 

would wake up at 4am, meet at the 

coach’s house where we would have 

bagels and cream cheese and lash 

ourselves into the cars,” she says. 

“The team bonding that happened on 

those road trips was invaluable. We were 

truly a family and we knew everything 

about each other,” recalls Christy. 

“Nancy would make Friday night team 

dinners for us all and we would return the 

favour by walking the dogs or helping out 

around the house. 

“There’s nothing that Nancy and Comer 

wouldn’t have done for us. I think they 

exemplify what rugby culture is to me 

- that willingness to be there, no matter 

what, for your teammates on and off the 

pitch.” 

In 2012, 2013 and 2015, the off-season 

was used to get in better shape with the 


NOVA Women’s 7s, under the guidance 

of Dana Creager. 

In the summer of 2014, Christy traveled 

to Canada with the US All-Collegiate 

team to play in a two-game series, taking 

the opportunity to meet and play with 

incredible women from all across the 

states, some of whom are now currently 

playing on the US 15s and 7s teams. 

In 2016, Christy ended her time at UVA 

as the captain of Nancy and Comer’s 

first-ever team to make it to the USA 

Rugby Women’s College Elite D1 

Championship Final. 

“We were the underdogs going into 

the match and surprised even ourselves 

when we took and maintained an early 

lead. In the 79th minute, an intercepted 

pass, leading to a converted try was 

our downfall. It’s up there with one 

of the most devastating losses I’ve 

experienced.” 

When the time came to leave UVA, 

Christy moved to Ireland to pursue a 

Master’s degree in Structural Engineering 

at UCD, captaining ‘College’ to win the 

annual colours match against Trinity in 

2017. 

“I had never been to Europe. I had 

never really travelled outside of the US. 

My comfort zone was rugby, so when 

I arrived my first thought was to find a 

team. 

“During one of my first UCD training 

sessions, I met St Mary’s prop Leah 

Hayden, who invited me the next evening 

down to one of their sessions. 

“It was such a welcoming club. I got to 

play with Ireland internationals Paula 

Fitzpatrick and Orla Fitzsimons. I didn’t 

even know who they were at the time,” 

she admits. 

Two seasons were spent at St Mary’s 

College where the low of relegation in 

2016/2017 was followed by the high of 

promotion in 2017/2018. 

At the end of the Masters, Christy had a 

decision to make, stay in Ireland or return 

home. 

“I had come to Dublin for a year. But I 

had made the mistake of coming to a 

country that used millimetres and metres 

for work and was terrified of going back 

to feet and inches. 

“I was enjoying my rugby and committed 

to staying for three-to-five years to earn 

my ‘chartership’ and try to play for 

Ireland. Having achieved both goals 

in 2022, I’ve now bumped that out to 

another three-to-five years. 

“God only knows how long I will be here 

now.” 

In 2017, Leinster coach Adam Griggs 

invited Christy to join the provincial set-up 

in a whirlwind appreciation for what Irish 

rugby looked like at that level. 

“That was really cool. There was such 

a feeling of family at Leinster, a feeling 

that has only grown in the last five 

years.” 

In 2018, Christy moved to her current 

club Blackrock College where she was 

welcomed by Phillip Doyle, aka Goose. 


“It was at a time I was struggling with 

rugby. Goose helped me to remember my 

love for the game”. 

Four years later, under Ben Martin and 

Goose’s coaching, Christy was recently a 

part of Blackrock’s All-Ireland League title 

win over Railway Union. 

A change of Leinster coach to Phil de 

Barra led to a change of captaincy in 

2021, Christy sharing the responsibilities 

of leadership with Michelle Claffey and 

Nikki Caughey. 

“I was completely floored. It was such 

an honour to be even considered. Only 

the week before, I had asked our lineouts 

coach, Maz Reilly, who she thought 

would be captain. 

“‘What about you?’ She said” 

‘No, I’m sure he’ll pick someone with a 

higher rugby IQ than me.’ I said at the 

time. 

“But there’s a lot more to leadership 

than that. It’s about setting and driving 

standards by working hard and setting 

an example, whether you’re a ‘captain’ 

or not. 

“I try to be the leader that is needed in 

the situation that arises. Different girls 

need different things, whether it’s a 

calming influence or someone to rile them 

up, and I like to think that’s something I’m 

good at.” 

This season, the co-captaincy has been 

retained by new coach Tania Rosser, 

Christy sharing the accolade with 

Hannah O’Connor. 

She has even been attracted into 

coaching the Blackrock Minis U8s, U10s, 

and U12s, in a sign of her deepening 

love of the game. 

“To see contracts being offered and 

coaching 10 year-olds that, maybe, could 

be offered contracts in 10 years’ time is a 

cool concept for me,” she states. 

“I am so excited for them to inherit the 

rugby that we are building on top of the 

foundation of the game already created 

in Ireland by the amazing women who 

have worn the jersey before us.” 

Grandmother Gertrude Torpey from 

Borrisokane, north of Nenagh, moved 

to the United States in her twenties, 

marrying a man from Glasgow. 

The Scots-Irish heritage is deeply 

ingrained, Christy’s family even streaming 

TG4’s broadcasting of matches. 

“My family doesn’t know much about 

rugby, and they certainly don’t speak 

Irish,” she laughs, 

“My Dad, Sean, came over for the Six 

Nations match against Scotland last 

year.” 

In typical Irish fashion, Sean has 

kept quiet his ‘Irish pride’ at Christy’s 

achievements in collecting five Ireland 

caps, saving those garlands for strangers. 

His daughter only learned of his feelings 

when bumping into a woman who had 

met Sean at the Six Nations match. 

“Oh my gosh, I met your dad at the 

Scottish match. I never met a man as 

proud,” she told Christy. 

“Oh my God, I was mortified.” 

There’s nothing more Irish than that. 


leinster 

squad 2022/23 

season 

Vakhtang Abdaladze #1263 

Prop 

DOB 6 Feb 1996 

HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 1”) 

WEIGHT 121kg (19st 1 lb) 

1 

CAP 

Michael Ala’alatoa #1301 

12 

CAPS 

Prop 

DOB 28 August 1991 

HEIGHT 1.91m (6’ 3”) 

WEIGHT 126kg (19st 11lbs) 

Ryan Baird #1278 

Second Row 

DOB 26 July 1999 

HEIGHT 1.98m (6’ 6”) 


8 

CAPS 

Ed Byrne #1222 

Prop 

DOB 9 September 1993 

HEIGHT 1.80m (5’ 11”) 

WEIGHT 115kg (18st) 

6 

CAP 

Harry Byrne #1280 

2 

CAPS 

Outhalf 

DOB 22 April 1999 

HEIGHT 1.91m (6’ 3”) 


Ross Byrne #1236 

Out-half 


HEIGHT 1.91m (6’ 3”) 


14 

CAPS 

Thomas Clarkson #1285 

Prop 

DOB 22 February 2000 

HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 1”) 


Jack Conan #1223 

33 

CAPS 

7 

CAPS 

No 8 


HEIGHT 1.93m (6’ 4”) 

WEIGHT 110kg (17st 4 lbs) 


Will Connors #1264 

9 

CAPS 

Max Deegan #1256 

2 

CAPS 

Brian Deeny #1306 

Caelan Doris #1268 

23 

CAPS 

Back Row 


HEIGHT 1.96 (6’ 5”) 


No 8 

DOB 1 October 1996 

HEIGHT 1.93m (6’ 4”) 


Second Row 

DOB 2 March 2000 

HEIGHT 1.99m (6’ 6”) 


Back Row 


HEIGHT 1.94m (6’ 4”) 


Cormac Foley #1299 

Scrum-half 


HEIGHT 1.81m (5’ 11 ”) 

WEIGHT 90kg (14 st 2 lbs) 

Ciarán Frawley #1265 

Out-half 

DOB 4 December 1997 

HEIGHT 1.92m (6’ 3”) 


Tadhg Furlong #1220 

63 

CAPS 

13 

CAPS 

Prop 

DOB 14 November 1992 

HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 1”) 


Jamison Gibson-Park #1247 

Scrum-half 


HEIGHT 1.76m (5’ 9”) 


23 

CAPS 

Cian Healy #1142 

121 

CAPS 

2 

CAPS 

Robbie Henshaw #1251 

61 

CAPS 

9 

CAPS 

Jason Jenkins #1310 

1 

CAP 

Dave Kearney #1158 

19 

CAPS 

Prop 


HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 1”) 


Centre / Full Back 

DOB 12 June 1993 

HEIGHT 1.91m (6’ 3”) 


Lock 

DOB 2 December 1995 

HEIGHT 2.03 m (6’ 8”) 


Wing / Full Back 


HEIGHT 1.81m (5’ 11”) 


Hugo Keenan #1253 

25 

CAPS 

Rónan Kelleher #1277 

18 

CAPS 

Jordan Larmour #1258 

30 

CAPS 

James Lowe #1262 

15 

CAPS 

Full Back 


HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 1”) 


Hooker 

DOB 24 January 1998 

HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 0”) 


Wing 


HEIGHT 1.78m (5’ 10”) 


Wing / Full Back 


HEIGHT 1.88m (6’ 2”) 



Joe McCarthy #1303 

1 

CAP 

Nick McCarthy #1241 

Tadgh McElroy #1312 

Luke McGrath #1206 

19 

CAPS 

Second Row 


HEIGHT 1.98m (6’ 6”) 


Scrum Half 


HEIGHT 1.8m (5’ 11”) 


Hooker 

DOB 16 June1997 

HEIGHT 1.78m (5’ 10’) 

WEIGHT 103kg (16st, 2lbs) 

Scrum Half 


HEIGHT 1.75m (5’ 9”) 


Michael Milne #1279 

Martin Moloney #1300 

Ross Molony #1233 

Charlie Ngatai #1311 

1 

CAP 

Prop 


HEIGHT 1.83m (6’ 0”) 


Back Row 


HEIGHT 1.88m (6’ 2”) 


Lock 

DOB 11 May 1994 

HEIGHT 2.00m (6’ 6”) 


Centre / Full Back 


HEIGHT 1.87 m (6’ 2”) 


Jimmy O’Brien #1272 

3 

CAPS 

Tommy O’Brien #1283 

Jamie Osborne #1294 

Scott Penny #1271 

Back Three 


HEIGHT 1.84m (6’ 0”) 


Wing 

DOB 28 May 1998 

HEIGHT 1.83m (6’ 0”) 


Centre 


HEIGHT 1.93m (6’ 4”) 

WEIGHT 97.5kg (15st 5lbs) 

Flanker 


HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 1”) 


Andrew Porter #1246 

48 

CAPS 

Garry Ringrose #1237 

47 

CAPS 

Rhys Ruddock #1167 

27 

CAPS 

Charlie Ryan 

Prop 


HEIGHT 1.84m (6’ 1”) 


Centre 


HEIGHT 1.87m (6’ 2”) 


Back Row 


HEIGHT 1.91m (6’ 3”) 


Lock 


HEIGHT 2.01m (6’ 7”) 



James Ryan #1259 

48 

CAPS 

Johnny Sexton #1127 

109 

CAPS 

14 

CAPS 

Dan Sheehan #1286 

13 

CAPS 

James Tracy #1211 

6 

CAPS 

Lock 


HEIGHT 2.00m (6’ 7”) 


Out-half 


HEIGHT 1.88m (6’ 2”) 


Hooker 


HEIGHT 1.91m (6’ 3”) 


Hooker 


HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 1”) 


Liam Turner #1287 

Centre 


HEIGHT 1.73m (5’ 8”) 


Josh van der Flier #1228 

45 

CAPS 

Flanker 


HEIGHT 1.87m (6’ 2”) 


for full squad profiles 

please scan this qr code 

Coaching 

Staff 2022/23 

Stuart 

Lancaster 

Senior Coach 

season 

Leo Cullen 

Head 

Coach 

Emmet 

Farrell 

Kicking Coach and 

Lead Performance Analyst 

Robin 

McBryde 

Assistant Coach 

SEÁN 

O’BRIEN 

CONTACT SKILLS Coach 

ANDREW 

GOODMAN 

ASSISTANT COACH 

Guy 

Easterby 

Head of Rugby Operations 


We always strive to be 

A beat ahead 

layahealthcare.ie

The Irish Times is proud to be official media partner to Leinster Rugby. 

With unparalleled rugby coverage we look forward to keeping you up to 

date with everything on and off the field in the 2022/23 season.

Boyne RFC 

25-years-old and thriving! 

While the success of Leinster 

Rugby is truly enormous and 

there for all to enjoy, it is also 

true to say that this success has 

filtered down through the clubs in 

Leinster and none more so than in 

Boyne Rugby Club in the town of 

Drogheda. 

In June 1997, a decision was taken 

by Delvin Rugby Club and Drogheda 

Rugby Club to pool their resources and 

amalgamate both clubs into one. Youth 

rugby was strong in both clubs and this 

was a factor in prompting them to take 

this decision. 

The river Boyne divides the town and with 

one club situated on either side it was 

decided to call the club “Boyne RFC”. In 

choosing the club colours a decision was 

taken to adopt the colours of the world 

champions at the time. Hence, the green 

and gold of South Africa. 

It was the youth section that showed the 

most progression in the early years. The 

club had teams from U8 to U18 and 

began to win Leinster competitions at all 

age groups. 

After a couple of seasons the adult 

section began to improve greatly to 

the point where Boyne RFC won the 

Provincial Towns Cup in 2009 and 

again in 2010. In 2011, the club won 

the Leinster Junior One League and 

gained entry into the AIL League. While 

it was hard to maintain this level, the 

club did manage to retain its AIL status 

for a further six years. Boyne RFC is 

currently playing in Leinster Division 1A, 

and almost all of its adult players came 

up through the club’s youth section and 

continue to do so. 

Over the years, many players from the 

club were selected to represent Leinster 

and Ireland at youth level. Most recently 

Ronan Mahon has represented Ireland 

at Youth level, following on from similar 

achievements by clubmen such as Conor 

Maguire, Jeffrey Finnegan, Brian Davis, 

Oisin Lynch and Karl Martin (Currently 

playing with Montpellier in France). 

The club also produced three players to 

play full senior international for Ireland. 

They were Shane Horgan, Niall Ronan 

and Mark McHugh. Shane Horgan also 

went on to play with the British and Irish 

Lions. 

There was also a successful Ladies team 

in the club for a number of years. The 

first ladie’s team was formed in 1997 by 

Sandra McAleer and Mick and Vivienne 

Quinn. Quite a few of them made it to the 

Leinster Ladies and three, Vikki McGinn, 

Grace Davitt and Maura Coulter played 

full Internationals for Ireland. 

Boyne RFC’s catchment area covers both 

Louth and Meath and caters for upwards 

of 400 children and 200 adult members. 

To cater for these numbers, the club has 

continued to develop its playing facilities 

and a state-of-the-art all weather training 

area was recently developed to cater 

for the army of young players coming 

through the club. 

To summarise, Boyne RFC was two clubs 

with great rivalry that became one club 

with great unity, and we look forward to 

continued success in the years ahead. 


compiled by stuart farmer 

media services limited 

Leinster Player 

Statistics 

SQUAD 

CAP 

NO 

DEBUT 

2022/23 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 

VAKHTANG ABDALADZE 1263 2 DEC 17 0+8 - - 0+8 - - - - - 0+25 2 10 0+24 2 10 0+1 - - 10 GEO 1 

MICHAEL ALA'ALATOA 1301 25 SEP 21 12+1 1 5 8+1 - - 4 1 5 24+14 4 20 19+7 2 10 5+7 2 10 2 WS 12 

RYAN BAIRD 1278 27 APR 19 8+2 2 10 6+1 2 10 2+1 - - 27+21 9 45 23+15 9 45 4+6 - - 3 IR 8 

LEE BARRON 1308 23 APR 22 - - - - - - - - - 0+2 - - 0+2 - - - - - - - 

BEN BROWNLEE 1313 28 OCT 22 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - - - 

ED BYRNE 1222 9 FEB 14 4+4 1 5 4+2 - - 0+2 1 5 31+62 13 65 31+47 11 55 0+15 2 10 2 IR 6 

HARRY BYRNE 1280 28 SEP 19 1+5 - 19 1+2 - 9 0+3 - 10 22+20 6 202 22+16 6 187 0+4 - 15 21 IR 2 

ROSS BYRNE 1236 4 SEP 15 11+4 - 99 7+4 - 67 4 - 32 96+47 9 925 78+25 4 663 18+22 5 262 26 IR 14 

TOM CLARKSON 1285 29 AUG 20 2+1 1 5 2+1 1 5 - - - 8+13 1 5 8+13 1 5 - - - 2 - 

JACK CONAN 1223 20 FEB 14 6+4 - - 4+2 - - 2+2 - - 97+30 25 125 67+18 16 80 30+12 9 45 20 IR 33 

WILL CONNORS 1264 9 FEB 18 1+3 - - 1+3 - - - - - 19+10 2 10 18+10 2 10 1 - - 16 IR 9 

CHRIS COSGRAVE 1305 26 MAR 22 1+1 1 5 1+1 1 5 - - - 2+2 1 5 2+2 1 5 - - - 2 - 

MAX DEEGAN 1256 3 DEC 16 5+1 - - 5 - - 0+1 - - 48+42 24 120 45+29 22 110 3+13 2 10 11 IR 2 

BRIAN DEENY 1306 23 APR 22 2+3 1 5 2+2 1 5 0+1 - - 4+3 1 5 4+2 1 5 0+1 - - 3 - 

CAELAN DORIS 1268 28 APR 18 8+1 2 10 4+1 - - 4 2 10 55+9 10 50 37+7 6 30 18+2 4 20 2 IR 23 

CORMAC FOLEY 1299 24 APR 21 2+4 1 5 2+4 1 5 - - - 4+7 2 10 4+7 2 10 - - - 4 - 

CIARAN FRAWLEY 1265 17 FEB 18 2+2 - 9 2+2 - 9 - - - 33+27 7 188 30+19 5 172 3+8 2 16 6 - 

TADHG FURLONG 1220 1 NOV 13 1+1 - - 1+1 - - - - - 86+43 10 50 48+35 3 15 38+8 7 35 8 IR 63 

JAMISON GIBSON-PARK 1247 2 SEP 16 5+1 - - 2 - - 3+1 - - 65+57 22 110 51+30 15 75 14+27 7 35 8 IR 23 

MARCUS HANAN 1295 19 FEB 21 - - - - - - - - - 0+3 - - 0+3 - - - - - - - 

CIAN HEALY 1142 5 MAY 07 4+6 - - 4+2 - - 0+4 - - 164+95 30 150 97+58 16 80 65+36 13 65 11 IR 121 

ROBBIE HENSHAW 1251 8 OCT 16 4+1 1 5 4+1 1 5 - - - 70+3 17 85 33+2 8 40 37+1 9 45 3 IR 61 

JASON JENKINS 1310 17 SEP 22 8+1 2 10 7+1 2 10 1 - - 8+1 2 10 7+1 2 10 1 - - 6 SA 1 

DAVE KEARNEY 1158 16 MAY 09 5 2 10 5 2 10 - - - 155+23 54 270 129+16 47 235 25+6 7 35 1 IR 19 

HUGO KEENAN 1253 5 NOV 16 7 4 20 3 1 5 4 3 15 48+3 13 65 31+3 6 30 17 7 35 1 IR 25 

RONAN KELLEHER 1277 22 FEB 19 6+3 4 20 4+1 1 5 2+2 3 15 35+10 17 85 20+6 12 60 15+4 5 25 2 IR 18 

JORDAN LARMOUR 1258 2 SEP 17 8+1 4 20 6 2 10 2+1 2 10 72+11 31 155 46+7 22 110 26+4 9 45 2 IR 30 

TEMI LASISI 1304 12 MAR 22 - - - - - - - - - 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - - - 

JAMES LOWE 1262 2 DEC 17 4 3 15 2 1 5 2 2 10 67+2 50 250 41+1 29 145 26+1 21 105 2 IR 15 

JOE MCCARTHY 1303 29 JAN 22 3+3 - - 2+2 - - 1+1 - - 11+6 1 5 10+2 1 5 1+4 - - 8 IR 1 

NICK MCCARTHY 1241 19 DEC 15 1+8 - - 1+7 - - 0+1 - - 10+45 5 25 10+38 5 25 0+7 - - 15 - 

TADGH MCELROY 1312 28 OCT 22 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - - - 


SQUAD 

CAP 

NO 

DEBUT 


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 

LUKE MCGRATH 1206 5 MAY 12 8+3 4 20 7+1 3 15 1+2 1 5 122+64 45 225 86+50 36 180 36+14 9 45 3 IR 19 

JOHN MCKEE 1307 23 APR 22 1+7 2 10 1+7 2 10 - - - 3+8 2 10 3+8 2 10 - - - 3 - 

MICHAEL MILNE 1279 28 SEP 19 1+6 1 5 1+4 1 5 0+2 - - 2+22 3 15 2+20 3 15 0+2 - - 5 - 

MARTIN MOLONEY 1300 24 APR 21 0+3 - - 0+3 - - - - - 2+8 - - 2+8 - - - - - - - 

ROSS MOLONY 1233 20 FEB 15 10+5 - - 8+3 - - 2+2 - - 92+62 5 25 80+45 4 20 12+17 1 5 31 - 

BEN MURPHY 1309 21 MAY 22 - - - - - - - - - 0+1 - - 0+1 - - - - - - - 

CHARLIE NGATAI 1311 17 SEP 22 9+2 - - 7+2 - - 2 - - 9+2 - - 7+2 - - 2 - - - NZ 1 

JAMIE OSBORNE 1294 30 JAN 21 8+2 1 5 6+1 - - 2+1 1 5 21+8 2 10 19+7 1 5 2+1 1 5 2 - 

JIMMY O'BRIEN 1272 23 NOV 18 12 3 15 8 1 5 4 2 10 55+10 19 99 42+9 11 59 13+1 8 40 1 IR 3 

SEAN O'BRIEN 1297 12 MAR 21 - - - - - - - - - 0+3 - - 0+3 - - - - - - - 

TOMMY O'BRIEN 1283 20 DEC 19 - - - - - - - - - 10+11 6 30 10+9 6 30 0+2 - - 2 - 

MAX O'REILLY 1291 2 JAN 21 1 - - 1 - - - - - 9+1 1 5 9+1 1 5 - - - 9 - 

SCOTT PENNY 1271 23 NOV 18 6+2 2 10 6+1 2 10 0+1 - - 40+9 25 125 40+8 25 125 0+1 - - 4 - 

ANDREW PORTER 1246 2 SEP 16 8+4 3 15 4+4 2 10 4 1 5 49+54 17 85 33+35 12 60 16+19 5 25 6 IR 48 

GARRY RINGROSE 1237 12 SEP 15 10+1 6 30 6+1 4 20 4 2 10 110+3 36 188 66+2 23 123 44+1 13 65 1 IR 47 

RHYS RUDDOCK 1167 6 DEC 09 6 2 10 6 2 10 - - - 162+54 14 70 124+35 12 60 37+17 2 10 6 IR 27 

ROB RUSSELL 1302 3 OCT 21 6+2 7 35 6+2 7 35 - - - 9+4 7 35 9+4 7 35 - - - 2 - 

CHARLIE RYAN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

JAMES RYAN 1259 2 SEP 17 8+3 1 5 4+3 - - 4 1 5 60+9 4 20 31+4 1 5 29+5 3 15 5 IR 48 

JOHNNY SEXTON 1127 27 JAN 06 3+2 1 32 3+1 1 30 0+1 - 2 159+30 27 1646 92+22 14 887 65+8 12 728 4 IR 109 

DAN SHEEHAN 1286 23 OCT 20 9+3 9 45 7+1 8 40 2+2 1 5 18+23 25 125 15+14 21 105 3+9 4 20 3 IR 13 

ANDREW SMITH 1292 2 JAN 21 - - - - - - - - - 1+1 - - 1+1 - - - - - - - 

ALEX SOROKA 1296 28 FEB 21 0+2 - - 0+2 - - - - - 2+5 - - 2+5 - - - - - - - 

CHARLIE TECTOR 1314 28 OCT 22 0+2 - - 0+2 - - - - - 0+2 - - 0+2 - - - - - - - 

JAMES TRACY 1211 4 NOV 12 - - - - - - - - - 64+77 18 90 57+48 17 85 7+29 1 5 5 IR 6 

LIAM TURNER 1287 23 OCT 20 4+2 1 5 4+1 1 5 0+1 - - 8+4 1 5 8+3 1 5 0+1 - - 2 - 

JOSH VAN DER FLIER 1228 11 OCT 14 9+1 7 35 5+1 2 10 4 5 25 99+25 25 125 57+19 10 50 42+6 15 75 1 IR 45 

ALEX SOROKA 1296 28 FEB 21 1+2 - - 1+2 - - - - - 2+3 - - 2+3 - - - - - - - 

DEVIN TONER 1128 27 JAN 06 6+8 - - 6+5 - - 0+3 - - 212+68 4 20 146+47 4 20 63+21 - - 63 IR 70 

JAMES TRACY 1211 4 NOV 12 7+5 4 20 7+4 4 20 0+1 - - 64+77 18 90 57+48 17 85 7+29 1 5 5 IR 6 

LIAM TURNER 1287 23 OCT 20 - - - - - - - - - 4+2 - - 4+2 - - - - - - - 

JOSH VAN DER FLIER 1228 11 OCT 14 15+1 7 35 7+1 1 5 8 6 30 90+24 18 90 52+18 8 40 38+6 10 50 4 IR 43 

KICKING 


ALL GAMES URC EPCR ALL GAMES PRO14/URC EPCR OVERALL 

SUCCESS 

RATE 

C PG DG C PG DG C PG DG C PG DG C PG DG C PG DG ATT Career 

% 

- - - HARRY BYRNE 69.23% 8 1 - 3 1 - 5 - - 71 10 65 9 6 1 105 77.14% 

ROSS BYRNE 83.93% 42 5 - 26 5 - 16 - - 296 95 1 221 66 1 75 29 - 496 78.83% 

CIARAN FRAWLEY 100.00% 3 1 - 3 1 - - - - 57 13 - 54 13 - 3 - - 84 83.33% 

JIMMY O'BRIEN - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - 2 - - - - - 4 50.00% 

GARRY RINGROSE - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - 4 - - - - - 6 66.67% 

JOHNNY SEXTON 68.42% 12 1 - 11 1 - 1 - - 277 308 11 140 172 7 130 132 4 733 79.81% 


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Bank of Ireland 

Match Day Mascots 

Lara 

Kilcline 

Age: 10 

School: Our Lady’s Grove, Goatstown 

Class: 4th Class 

Hobbies/Interests: Camogie, Hockey, Football, 

Reading, Singing, Lego 

Favourite Player: James Lowe and Leo the Lion 

Darragh 

McConnell 

Age: 10 

School: St Pius X BNS 

Class: 4th Class 

Hobbies/Interests: Rugby, GAA, Soccer 

Favourite Player: James Lowe 


ig picture 

21 January 2023 

Bobby McGrath joins the Leinster 

players to celebrate the win over 

Racing 92 last weekend 


Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile 


Thank you 

to all the rugby volunteers 

& behind-the-scenes heroes. 

You make the 

game we love possible. 

Think of the Possibilities

offical leinster 

supporters club 

It’s great to be back in the RDS today as we welcome 

our Celtic cousins Cardiff Rugby to our home 

ground for the 13th game in the URC this season. 

We go into this game on top 

of the table and unbeaten 

with 56 points. However, this 

last time last year we played 

Cardiff away, in the Arms Park 

unfortunately losing 29-27 due 

to a stoppage-time penalty, 

successfully kicked by Jarrod 

Evans. 

We expect a spirited Welsh side to 

come to Dublin to try and reduce the 

margin gap of 11 points we currently 

enjoy on top of the table. As we move 

into the business end of the season, and 

with the Guinness Six Nations around 

the corner a win today is crucial in 

order to maintain that coveted spot. 

It’s great to see all the Cardiff fans 

who have made the trip and we are 

delighted to welcome them to the RDS. 

It was a fantastic day at Aviva last 

Saturday securing that important and 

hard-fought bonus point win against a 

very competitive Racing 92 side. The 

reward is a home advantage for all 

games as we aim to progress through 

the Heineken Champions Cup knockout 

stages. It was also a very poignant 

day as we recognised a true stalwart of 

the Leinster senior squad, James Tracy 

who unfortunately had to retire before 

Christmas due to a persistent neck 

injury. 


The OLSC were delighted to present JT 

and his family with a piece of crystal 

on behalf of you, the supporters, to 

recognise his amazing contribution 

to the club for the last 10 years. JT 

debuted against Ospreys in 2012, 

secured a senior contract in 2014, 

winning a Champions Cup medal 

in 2018 against Racing 92, and 

represented Ireland six times during that 

period. We wish James and his family 

the very best of luck in the next chapter 

of his career. 

We had an army of volunteers who 

came out to help last weekend, flagging 

an empty Aviva early on Saturday 

morning, handing out flags outside 

the stadium, and lining the streets to 

welcome the team through a fantastic 

Sea of Blue. A big OLSC thank you to 

everyone who helped out, we cannot 

do it without you, and we’ll need more 

help over the coming weeks so please 

reach out via mail or Social Media if 

you would like to volunteer and help. 

It’s a busy matchday today, we have 

The Bank of Ireland family day with lots 

of activities, pre and post-match player 

Q&As and live music in the Guinness 

Fanzone, Autograph Alley, flags, and 

lots more. Watch out for the Laya 

Bodhrans in the crowd as they make 

lots of noise. 

The OLSC is now based in the Guinness 

Fanzone so please stop by and say 

hello, for those of you who don’t know 

we have a well-stocked supporter’s 

shop, matchday flags, and a wall full of 

legendary player t-shirts that we have 

produced for the last 21 years. Please 

tag us in any of your photos from the 

day #OLSC. 

As always, we’re thankful for the 

support we as a committee get from 

Leinster Rugby, Bank of Ireland, Laya, 

Guinness, and all our other sponsors 

and we encourage you to show your 

support through our social media 

channels. 

Be loud, be true, be blue! 

Yours in Rugby, 

The OLSC Committee 

olsc@leisterrugby.ie

Mental health support... 

CHARITY PARTNER 

2022/23 

At Jigsaw, we understand and support young 

people’s mental health. 

Both online and in person, we give advice and support to 

help young people aged 12 to 25 years-old. 

jigsaw.ie 

Jigsaw is a registered charity in Ireland.

Pres Bray and St. Fintan’s 

to meet in Fr Godfrey 

Junior Cup Final 

BY DES BERRY 

The Bank of Ireland Leinster 

Schools Fr Godfrey Junior Cup 

produced two entertaining Semi- 

Finals in which Pres Bray and St 

Fintan’s made the Final. 

In addition, they earned the right to a 

Junior Cup first-round tilt at St Gerard’s 

School and Castleknock College, 

respectively. 

PRESENTATION COLLEGE, 

BRAY 17 

NAAS CBS 13 

A late try by Ronan Hogan was 

the decisive factor in Pres Bray 

qualifying for the final in a terrific 

tussle to open the afternoon. 

Certainly, Naas had no trouble settling 

into the game, moving onto the front-foot 

through their forwards and half-backs 

Jack Mullins and Cian McKevitt. 

Indeed, it took a tremendous sequence 

of phases for Pres to complete a 

breakthrough, flanker Alex O’Dowd 

grounding the ball in the left corner in the 

14th minute. 

Straight away, the Kildare boys were 

back on the attack, eventually recouping 

a penalty by Mullins in the 19th minute. 

Pres took that on the chin and moved 

methodically forward for hooker Eoin 

Croysdil to touchdown at the posts, 

Tiernan Guilfoyle converting for 12-3 at 

the break. 

At last, Naas found a way through a 

stacked defence when full-back Charlie 

Croke blazed a trail from 35 metres out 

for Mullins to convert. 

Two minutes later, they were in front from 

a Mullins penalty after another quickhitting 

attack. 

Fortified by this, Naas showed added 

line-speed in defence and the ability to 

counter at pace. 

However, Pres’ were always capable 

of doing damage too, a powerful maul 

setting up lock Hogan for the finish in the 

58th minute. 

SCORERS 

Pres Bray – A O’Dowd, E Croysdil, R 

Hogan try each; T Guilfoyle con. 

Naas CBS – C Croke try; J Mullins 2 

pens, con. 

Pres Bray – Simon O’Brien; Joseph 

Byrne, Liam Mooney (Capt), Matthew 

McGovern, Shane McDonald; Tiarnan 

Guilfoyle, Luca Nolan; Marcus Murphy, 

Eoin Croysdil, Harry Graham, Tiernan 

Lynch, Ronan Hogan, Alex O’Dowd, Max 

Tully Walsh, Rory Wrafter. 

Replacements – Artem Kelly, Daniel 

Corrigan, Conor Haines, Robert Brennan, 


Tiernan Ryan, Daniel Hannon, Ethan 

O’Neill, Phelim Doyle. 

Naas CBS – Charlie Croke; Conor 

Marron, Darragh Culligan, Matthew 

Costello, Tadhg Kruger; Cian McKevitt, 

Jack Mullins; Alan Malone, Rian Cullen, 

Philip Sammon, Aidan Tamming, Max 

Kavanagh, Zach Carville, Padraic 

Dignam, Oisin Brien. 

Replacements – Colm Gibbons, Adam 

Sargent, Cein Meade, Bruno McCann, 

Daniel Sargent, Charlie Reid, Harry 

Ward, Phillip Brannigan. 

ST FINTAN’S HIGH 

SCHOOL 35 

TEMPLE CARRIG 19 

A power-packed second period 

was the key to St Fintan’s getting 

the better of Temple Carrig. 

Initially, the winners were sparked by 

towering number eight Michael Bolger, 

applying enough concerted pressure 

for lock Frank Quinn to claim a try, Ben 

Barnes converting in the ninth minute. 

Temple was faring well enough at the 

ruck to draw on penalties, the lineout and 

centre Ben Griffiths for a way forward. 

They mixed up their attack well enough 

to move inside the 22 where flanker Matt 

Smullen burst past two tacklers for Corey 

O’Brien’s conversion to level it up in the 

20th minute. 

Agility at the breakdown was a feature 

of the contest with prop Evan Coyne 

and lock Lukas O’Gorman using perfect 

technique to frustrate the opposition. 

Centres Griffiths and Ryan Morgan 

were posing problems through the 

middle, creating a second-wave attack 

which Smullen exploited to the fullest for 

Lambert to convert for 14-7 on the halftime 

whistle. 

It didn’t take the Sutton school long to 

get back on terms, the forwards taking 

control for Oisin Kelly to crash over at 

the posts, Barnes converting in the 34th 

minute. 

They had the momentum to roll forward 

in impressive fashion, manufacturing 

a third try for Tadhg Young which 

Barnes immaculately converted from the 

touchline. 

St Fintan’s seemed to have taken over, 

forcing the pace for Quinn to pick up his 

second try, Barnes adding another two 

on top for 28-14 in the 54th minute. 

Yet again, Smullen was the forward on 

the end of Temple’s next drive, punching 

in his hat-trick to narrow the gap to nine 

points. 

Then, Bolger blasted over after a series of 

quick rucks for Barnes to make it five from 

five conversions. 

SCORERS 

St Fintan’s – F Quinn 2 tries; T Toung, 

O Kelly, M Bolger try each; B Barnes, 5 

cons. 

Temple Carrig – M Smullen 3 tries; C 

Lambert 2 cons. 

St Fintan’s – Fionn Heaney; Alex 

Gallagher, Tadhg Young, Samuel 

O’Leary, Fionn MacDonald; Ben Barnes, 

Oisin Kelly; Evan Coyne, Luca Macari- 

Kelly, Keith Bonar, James Nixon, Frank 

Quinn, Brendan Dillon, Adam Coffey, 

Michael Bolger. 

Replacements – Fionn Cullen, Zachary 

Newson, Conor Cogan, Cillian 

McLaughlin, Conor Wilson, Nicky 

Sheridan, Simon Fogarty, Shane Hanratty. 

Temple Carrig – Marco Romeral Roe, 

Ryan Griffiths, Ryan Morgan, Ben Griffiths 

(Capt), Fionn Moriarty; Corey O’Brien 

Charles Lambert; Daniel Cunningham, 

Oskar Riordan, Tom Scully, Oliver 

Warnock, Lukas O’Gorman, Matt 

Smullen, Ryan Morgan, Charlie Sammon. 

Replacements – Lewis Jones, Daniel 

Garvey, Jake McDonald, Brendan 

Harrison, Hugo King, Luke McKeever, 

Luke Rowlett, Oscar Murphy-Dowling. 


Leinster Rugby Schools 

Senior Cup to be broadcast 

on tv and online 

Leinster Rugby has confirmed 

that 13 games in the 2023 

Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby 

Schools Senior Cup will be 

available to view either on 

Premier Sports or via a Leinster 

Rugby live stream. 

Premier Sports have once again 

confirmed they will broadcast eight 

Schools Senior Cup games, continuing 

a long-standing partnership, with a 

further five first round games also 

available on a streaming service 

provided by Leinster Rugby. 

The competition kicks-off this Sunday, 

29 January, at Energia Park with St 

Michael’s College taking on Belvedere 

College in the opening game, which 

will be streamed by Leinster Rugby. 

The first game to be shown live by 

Premier Sports will see last year’s 

champions Blackrock College meeting 

Presentation College Bray, on Monday 

30, January, in Energia Park. 

All four quarter-finals, both semi-finals 

and the final will be live and exclusive 

on Premier Sports. 

Leinster Rugby, in partnership with 

Videos On The Net, will be live 

streaming an additional five first round 

games played in Energia Park, not 

covered by Premier Sports, on 

www.irishrugbylive.ie 

Speaking about the announcement, 

Michael O’Rourke, CEO of Premier 

Sports, commented, “Premier Sports has 

a proud long-term association with the 

Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Schools 

Senior Cup and we’re delighted that 

the association will continue this season 

and beyond. 

“Once again the very best this 

wonderful competition has to offer will 

be live and exclusive on Premier Sports 

and we’re really looking forward to 

the matches getting under way in the 

coming weeks.” 

The five games streamed live by 

Leinster Rugby, will be available on 

a subscription basis with each game 

costing €7.99 for the live and €8.99 

for the VOD (video on demand) option. 

There is also a five-match bundle that 

can be purchased for €35.00 and the 

subscription can be purchased through 

the Videos on the Net platform, 

www.irishrugbylive.ie 

Videos on the Net, based in Wicklow, 

are long-standing suppliers to both the 

IRFU and Leinster Rugby and will use 

commentators and contributors from the 

competing schools to add an additional 

level of insight and analysis. 

The First Round game between 

Blackrock College and Presentation 

College, and indeed all games shown 

by Premier Sports, will be broadcast live 

on Premier Sports 1 and 2 (Sky channel 

412 and 421) and also with a ‘Sports 

Extra’ Membership on NOW. 

Premier Sports has been broadcasting 

in the Republic of Ireland since 2019, 

and televise games from the BKT United 

Rugby Championship and also hold 

rights including TOP14 rugby, Premier 

League, FA Cup, La Liga, Scottish Cup 

and Premier Sports Cup, Coppa Italia 

and more. 

New customers wishing to sign up to 

Premier Sports can do so via Sky and 

NOW. 


LEINSTER RUGBY 

SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP, 

FIRST ROUND: 

Sunday, 29 January 

St Michael’s College v 

Belvedere College 

at 3pm in Energia Park 

(Streaming Available) 

Monday, 30 January 

Blackrock College v 

Presentation College, Bray 


(Live on Premier Sports) 

Tuesday, 31 January 

Newbridge College v 

Kilkenny College 



Wednesday, 1 February 

Terenure College v 

Clongowes Wood College 



Thursday, 2 February 

St Mary’s College v 

Wesley College 



Friday, 3 February 

CBC Monkstown v 

St Vincent’s Castleknock College 



Cistercian College, Roscrea v 

Catholic University School (CUS) 

at 2:30pm in Lakelands 

Gonzaga College v 

St Andrew’s College 

at 2:30pm in Clontarf FC 


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SOCIAL 

the 12 counties

WHERE 

ARE 

THEY 

NOW? 

BRIAN BY DES BERRY 

CUSACK 

THEN: Brian 

played for 

Leinster in two 

stints between 

1994-1996 and 

1999-2000. 

NOW: He is Head 

of Trading at 

PointsBet, living 

in Eadestown 

in Kildare with 

his wife Heather 

with two girls 

Lauren (12) and 

Alex (10). 


It wouldn’t happen 

these days. 

Back in 1994, Brian Cusack had 

just gone through 80-minutes 

of All-Ireland League action for 

Bective Rangers. 

The thirst to unwind and relax usually 

started by settling in for a scatter of pints 

in the clubhouse bar. 

On this occasion, a tap on the shoulder 

was followed by an invitation to make his 

debut for Leinster against The Exiles at 

Donnybrook the next day. 

He put his drink down and went home for 

an early night. 

“I was training with the national squad 

at that stage as one of the youngsters, 

purely used as a tackle bag handler,” 

says Brian. 

“There was a lot of experience in the 

Leinster team at that stage with ‘Franno’ 

(Neil Frances) playing in the second row 

Phil Lawlor at number eight, Alain Rolland 

at nine. Props Angus McKeen and Henry 

Hurley were there too. 

“It appeared to me to be a late decision 

to drop me in there from the start to see 

how I would go and it turned out to be a 

great experience. 

“Probably, in the early days, playing 

with big personalities, you just wanted 

to survive rather than putting your best 

foot forward and having the utmost 

confidence in your ability to impact the 

game.” 

In 1990, on the basis of Clongowes 

Wood’s run to the Senior Cup final, Brian 

made his way into the Ireland Schools 

squad where Neil Nolan and Roger 

Wilson stood in his way. 

The Ireland U21s gave Brian the chance 

to play alongside Gary Longwell in 

1992-1993 and Jeremy Davidson in 

1993-1994 in the second row. 

This was long before the Leinster 

Academy swung into view, even before 

the Irish Academy started. 

Thus, the muck and bullets of the All- 

Ireland League served as Brian’s true 

apprenticeship in dealing with the tricks 

of gritty, gnarled veterans. 

“I went straight into the first team at 

Bective where Ireland internationals 

Kurt McQuilkin and Phil Lawlor were 

playing,” he says. 

“The club was in Division Two of the AIL. 

We also had a group of experienced 


heads, like Maurice Mortell, and Trevor 

Brennan arrived the next year. 

“We had a very good side, good enough 

to be in the lower half to be competitive in 

Division One, I would say,” he states.” But 

we couldn’t make the next step. 

“You did your own rugby work on 

Monday and Wednesday, trained with 

the club on Tuesday and Thursday and 

played on Saturday. 

“You learned the grizzly old way of 

playing every week. You picked things up 

as you went along, often getting beaten 

up by the older, more mature players in 

what was an old-school apprenticeship. 

“You were purely amateur. There were 

certainly people at Bective, who would 

help you along and they brought in 

Doctor Liam Hennessy. to support that 

development. 

“There are a lot of people like Liam 

around now. Back then, he was one of the 

few who knew the why behind what he 

was doing, bringing his experience from 

athletics and his academic background. 

“If you ask me ‘who were the first players 

to come through to be properly strong 

early adopters of strength training?’ 

“It would have been Jonathan Bell and 

David Corkery. When you played against 

them, you knew they were properly strong 

people.” 

Brian’s long, lean 6’7” frame did not 

accept muscle readily, although there was 

an advantage in athleticism. 

“The bigger, heavier guys tended to last 

longer But, this was pre-lifting weights. 

You could get away with not having the 

muscle back then. Could you get away 

with it now? No, you just can’t. 

“It was when you came up against 

players who were bigger and athletic 

that you ran into the possibility of being 

dominated.” 

Gabriel Fulcher became a person of 

interest to Brian in that the fellow second 

row wasn’t the biggest lock in the world. 

“‘Fulch’ was quite clever in what he did 

and he was one I would watch to see 

how he did it. I saw him as similar to me 

as a player, someone I could learn from.” 

In February of 1995, he partnered with 

Malcolm O’Kelly in the engine room 

against Northern Transvaal, getting a 

glimpse of the shape of things to come, in 

terms of personal competition. 

“Mal was just a fantastic athlete with 

a massive engine and one of a limited 

number of really top-class players we 

have reproduced over the years. A great 

fella too. 

“You see him in operation - he was 

slightly younger than me - and you 

realise, ‘oh, this is what is coming.’” 

The game turned professional in 1995 

and the Irish Rugby Football Union did 

not exactly embrace it immediately. 

“Back then, in my experience, you didn’t 

know what professionalism was until you 

had been through it. It was only then you 

knew what was required. 

“In 1996, It just meant you got paid and 

had more time to train,” he shares. 

“But, there wasn’t anything smart about it 

because no one had gone through it. You 

trained harder and took contact four or 

five times a week. That would be unheard 

of today. 

“You certainly got bigger and stronger 

and faster. That was clear early on when 

you went full-time. Your statistics went 

through the roof because you could train, 

rest and recover. 

“Did our diets change? Not particularly. 

The support structure around that was 


very limited. I would say it took at 

least 15 years for proper professional 

structures to be put in place. 

“When the players come in these days, 

everything is in place for them. There is 

a long history, maybe 20-odd years, of 

getting it right. 

“In that time, the good and bad decisions 

taken and lessons learned have led 

Leinster to where they are, right at the top 

of the professional game.” 

In 1996, Leinster was uncertain of where 

the game was going, and Brian took an 

offer to play for English kingpins Bath, 

leaving his job as a mortgage broker for 

a significant pay rise. 

“There was no decision to be made 

really. Leinster were trying to figure 

out how they wanted to handle 

professionalism and Bath were just further 

down the road. 

“Clubs were moving extremely quickly,” 

he says. 

“When there is no organisation, there 

tends to be a vacuum and all the English 

clubs were trying to put businesses 

together overnight, put structures in place, 

put people in place, scale the clubs up 

into success.” 

Brian signed a one-year contract and 

stayed for 2 ½ years, playing with 

Mike Catt, Jerry Guscott, John Mallett, 

Victor Ubogu, Federico Mendez, Nigel 

Redman, Martin Haag, Andy Robinson, 

Gary French and Steve Ojomoh at The 

Recreation Ground where they won the 

Heineken Cup in 1998 while he was 

there. 

He moved to Richmond for seven months 

only for the club to go into administration 

in the same way Wasps and Worcester 

have fallen apart. 

In 1999, Jim Glennon and Mike Ruddock 

reached out and Brian returned home to 

play one more season with Leinster, his 

final cap coming off the bench against 

Munster. 

“There had been changes. But, it was 

still back in the dark ages, playing out of 

portacabins in Anglesea Road. It wasn’t 

overly glamorous. 

“At that stage, I played for Lansdowne 

and I found the clubs were better 

organised than the provinces.” 

Now Head of Trading at PointsBet, he 

found the benefits taken from rugby into 

his post-playing career matched by the 

costs he had to shake. 

“There are some really good things you 

can take into your career and some 

really bad habits you have to change,” 

he warns. 

“Creating a good atmosphere for people 

to work to their optimum ability, that does 

take time to get right. 

“Some sporting teams have it; some 

struggle with it. It can take a couple of 

years, in rugby and in business, to get it 

right. 

“The hard thing is getting to that place. 

Once you are there, it is easier to keep 

it going.” 

“However, he traced back negatives 

accrued from rugby that had to be 

overcome 

“Things don’t get fixed overnight like they 

do in rugby,” he adds. 

“Stuff goes on on the pitch, you fix it 

quickly and bluntly for the following 

week. That doesn’t work in business. 

Often you need to be more patient. 

“The right tone of communication is really 

important and that is not something rugby 

is good at because it is not needed. 

“On a Monday, a rugby player takes 

really harsh, brutal criticism as a platform 

to learn from. Generally, you can’t do 

that with a team in business. 

“Criticism needs to be delivered 

constructively and encouragingly. 

“Even in rugby now, Eddie Jones got 

away with a brutally hard regime 

because he was having success. When 

that success stopped happening, it came 

back to bite him. 

“You need to bring people along 

with you. Your tone and ability to 

communicate well are really important.” 


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Referees 

Corner 

BY DAN WALLACE 

A warm welcome to today’s issue of Referee’s 

Corner. Today’s match official team is Jaco 

Peyper (SARU) in the middle, ably assisted by 

Joy Neville and Andrew Fogarty with South 

Africa’s Marius Jonker in the TMO box. 

Peyper is a long serving 

member of the World Rugby 

International Referees panel. 

He made his refereeing 

debut in Super Rugby in 2008 

but took charge of his first 

Test match in 2011. In 2012, 

Peyper was promoted to the 

International Rugby Board’s 

elite panel and was tasked 

with refereeing Scotland’s 2012 

tour of Oceania. This included 

Scotland’s 6-9 away win over 

Australia, 25-37 away win over 

Fiji and 16-17 away win over 

Samoa. In 2015, Peyper was 

selected as one of the twelve 

referees for the 2015 Rugby 

World Cup. In 2019, he was 

selected as one of the twelve 

referees and only South African 

referee for the 2019 Rugby 

World Cup. 

A trained lawyer, Peyper also refereed 

a British & Irish Lions Test in their 2017 

tour of New Zealand. His comments 

during the 2021 Currie Cup Final 

went viral. Scrum-half Jaden Hendriske 

challenged a call the referee made 

during the match to which Peyper 

said: “You’ve got a lot of advice for 

your first Currie Cup (final)”. 

Leinster Rugby Referees held a New 

Referees Course in the Riverside Park 

Hotel, Enniscorthy on Saturday 14, 

January 2023. The course was open 


to those aged 18 – 59, who would 

like to take up refereeing as a hobby 

and become members of Leinster 

Rugby Referees. We had a turnout 

of almost 20 new referees. One 

important factor in this course was that 

it was the first one to be held outside 

of Dublin and in the South East. 

President Gordon Condell said he 

was delighted with the great turnout, 

the enthusiasm and wished those 

new referees well in their upcoming 

refereeing careers. Sean Gallagher 

led the session and talked the referees 

through the finer points of refereeing, 

the laws, and the art of refereeing. 

Referees will receive mentoring and 

support on an ongoing basis once 

they begin the trial member process. 

This will include three follow up 

workshops which usually run for 90 

minutes once a month. Progression 

to full membership is based on a 

combination of ability, commitment 

and fitness. 

We held our mid-season seminar on 

Tuesday 17th January in the Green 

Isle Hotel. Over 100 of our active 

referees attended the course. Mick 

Dawson, former CEO of Leinster 

Rugby, and honorary Leinster Rugby 

Referee was the special guest and 

spoke about his time at Leinster from 

the beginning in Donnybrook to the 

fantastic club it has become today. He 

took the time out to answer some of 

the referee’s questions ranging from 

European Competitions to his favorite 

memories at Leinster. Sean Gallagher 

introduced some IRFU content, law 

updates and also helped Dave 

MacDonald run some roundtable 

discussions on the future and 

enhancing Leinster Rugby Referees. A 

great night was had by all, it is always 

a pleasure for our referees to be able 

to connect with each other. 

Recently, Leinster Referee Dave Wilson 

and his daughter Hannah Wilson 

traveled to South Africa for Hannah 

to take part in a Tens Tournament 

in Johannesburg and Cape Town. 

Hannah had just finished her second 

year playing on the Leinster U18 Girls 

Rugby team and also got her first cap 

playing on the Irish U18 Girls Rugby 

team in the Six Nations Tournament in 

Murrayfield. 

During the trip to South Africa, all the 

players and coaches involved in the 

tournament got the chance to visit 

local townships outside Johannesburg 

and Cape Town as part of the 

community work that was such an 

integral part of the trip. Dave as a 

Leinster Rugby Referee brought two 

large Leinster kit bags with gear, one 

for each of the townships that they 

were to visit. Dave said; “If ever there 

was a moment that pictures speak a 

thousand words well this was one of 

those moments”. 

One of the coaches involved in the 

Tens Tournament was the “King of 

Sevens”, the one and only Waisale 

Serevi. He was made an “Honorary 

Leinster Rugby Referee” during this 

trip and received his kit from Dave 

Wilson, Waisale is just awaiting his 

first appointment from Hayley White! 

You can read more on the trip on our 

website www.leinsterrugbyreferees.ie 

Want to get 

involved? 

Referees provide a vital 

function in servicing all 

levels of the game. Whether 

you aspire to referee at 

the highest level or to 

referee locally, there is a 

place for you. There are 

excellent support structures 

to develop referees and a 

thriving social aspect too. 

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. 


ank of ireland 

MATCHDAY minis 

Arklow RFC 

Players: Ethan Hamilton, Scott Simmons, Dan Robinson, 

Henry Neill, Jude Ivanoff, David Quinn, Kyle O’Reilly, 

Louis Ralph, Isaac Brennan, Sean Baguley, Eoghan Killoran, 

Julian Heath, Jack Henry, Antek Pawlowski, Matt Stevens, 

Alex Garvey, Nojus Lipsas, John O’Neill, Faolain Merrigan 

and Morgan Tracey 

Coaches: Michael Hamilton, Ger Brennan and Paul Neill 

Boyne RFC 

Players: Oliver Grimson, James Berney, Luke Farrell, 

Liam Johnson, Noah Daly, Lucas Lavery, Micheál O Mathúna, 

Fiachra Brodigan, Sean Clarke, Conor Mac Donald, 

Dan Harkin, Donnacha Tierney, Noah Lynch, Cian Wall, 

Cian Dunne, Martin Kral, Finn Faulkner, Charlie Black, 

Saul Sarsfield and Cillian Coleman 

Coaches: Paul Grimson and Neil Berney 

Mullingar RFC 

Players: Harry Zalgevicius, Ben Denning, Cody McKeown, 

Sam McPhillips, Declan Bourke, Charlie Bohan, Davy Judge, 

Callum Cleary, Ben Loughlin, Jamie Clear, Charlie Clear, 

Cathal Kealy, Ciarán Weblin, Casey O’Prey, Joshua Hunter, 

Daire Jackson, Ratmir Gindra, Matthew Kiernan, 

Noah Duncan, Luke Moynagh, Oliver Hughes, Peter Young, 

Kyle Zalgevicius, Cormac Maguire, Colm O’Rourke, 

Conor Walters, Aonghus O’Reilly, Finn Jacob, Mikey Forde, 

Eddie Leavy, Óran Shaw Cunniffe, Max McGauran, Joel Kelly, 

Eoin McGinley, Eoin Smyth, Louis Kiernan, Conor Donohoe, 

Robert Whelan, Donnacha Farrell, Killian Dardis, 

Michael Malone and Setanta Bowers 

Seapoint RFC 

Players: Amaury Journée McKeown, Bobby Cave, 

Ciaran Roche, Charlie Hughes, Daniel McLoughlin, 

Dexter Sweeney, Dylan O Malley, Eoghan Collins, 

James Clinch, Jamie Finnie, Luca Leech, Luke D’Arcy, 

Matthew McLoughlin, Paddy O’Brien, Rory McLoughlin, 

Ross O’Donnell, Sam Byrne, Sean Cosgrave, 

Senan Corcoran and Tom Quinn 

Coaches: Mark Sweeney and Jaime McKeown 


Wexford Wanderers 

set to host Open 

Training Session 

Leinster Rugby has 

announced an open 

training session for 

February, in Wexford 

Wanderers RFC. 

The latest open training session 

follows similar sessions over 

the summer and indeed before 

Christmas in the home of Seán 

O’Brien, in Tullow RFC. 

The squad visited 12 locations in two 

action-packed summer days as part of 

The 12 County Tour, along with an open 

training session in November in Tullow, 

and Leo Cullen has now confirmed that 

the squad are once again hitting the 

road. 

Leinster Rugby will host the open training 

session at Wexford Wanderers RFC, on 

Thursday 9 February from 3pm. 

Wexford Wanderers is the home club of 

current player, Brian Deeny, as well as 

former Leinster and Ireland star Gordon 

D’Arcy, and it is also the club of Leinster 

Rugby President, Debbie Carty. 

The open session will be another 

opportunity for the public to meet with 

Cullen, his coaches and players as well 

as to see them training up close. 

Commenting on the news, Cullen said, 

“The tour during the summer and the trip 

to Tullow, was brilliant. The lads really 

enjoyed it and not just the players but the 

coaches and the staff as well. 

“During Covid-19 it was so difficult to 

connect with people, with our clubs and 

our communities and re-connecting is 

something that we are very keen to do 

now that things have returned to normal. 

“The impact of Wexford Wanderers on 

Leinster and Irish rugby is clear for all to 

see and it’s great to get down there and 

show some appreciation for all the work 

that they do on the ground.” 

Local hero, Brian Deeny, is similarly 

looking forward to the event and 

welcoming the team back to his home 

club and to meeting some familiar faces. 

“We all started in a club and wherever 

the journey takes us after that, you never 

forget that. For all of us players, it all 

started with minis in some club in Leinster. 

“For me, that’s Wexford Wanderers and 

it’s great people like Bobby Cummings, 

Colm Mahon, James O’Connor, Jim 

Ryan, Martin Fenlon, Donal McDonald. I 

could go on. 

“All of us players have a list like that of 

people that give so much time to their 

club and it’s pretty special to be now 

heading there to train with the rest of the 

Leinster lads in a few weeks to a place 

where I was training and playing for my 

club only a few years ago. 

“I know the club will put on a great 

welcome and I look forward to it.” 

The open training session will take place 

in Wexford Wanderers RFC, on Thursday, 

9 February at 3pm. 

There will be opportunities for autographs 

and photography with the players and 

coaches after the training session, and of 

course, everyone is welcome to attend. 


CUS and St Andrews 

to meet in Vinnie Murray 

Cup decider 

BY DES BERRY 

The Bank of Ireland Leinster 

Schools Vinnie Murray Senior 

Cup Semi-Finals took place in a 

double-header at Energia Park on 

Tuesday. 

There was also a place in the Leinster 

Senior Cup First Round at stake as well, 

CUS and St Andrew’s accounting for St 

Fintan’s and Temple Carrig, respectively. 

CUS 46 

ST FINTAN’S HIGH SCHOOL, 

SUTTON 17 

Holders Catholic University School 

will take all the beating in the 

final. 

They put eight tries past competitive St 

Fintan’s to earn a Senior Cup First Round 

crack at Cistercian College, Roscrea 

at Lakeland’s Park on Friday week 

(February 3rd). 

St Fintan’s love of width paid early 

dividends when full-back Finn McDonald 

could have put Joshua Hansen in on the 

left and Shane Patterson did put Conor 

Toomey over on the right in the third 

minute. 

CUS were on the verge of hitting back 

immediately when they were turned over 

close to the whitewash. 

No matter, they came again, the centre 

combination proving the difference as 

Sean Byrne sent Rian Treacy hurtling to 

the line, Niall Cox converting for 7-5 in 

the ninth minute. 

They wasted no time in threatening again 

until Lucas Maguire had the ball ripped 

away by Robert Harvey and Jack Grant 

couldn’t connect with Senan Campbell on 

the overlap. 

The speed of ball for CUS was troubling 

the defence. Quick passes put wing Sean 

Turner on the outside, Treacy’s support 

earning a second try for the centre in the 

28th minute. 

When Dylan McNeice broke the gain 

line, the recycle came at speed for 

Campbell to claim a try for 17-5 at 

half-time. 

The Leeson Street school took greater 

command with a Conall Lohan-Kilraine 

finish from close range. 

St Fintan’s were causing problems when 

they got into their flow, Tadhg O’Connor- 

O’Hehir finding the line in the 44th 

minute. 

But, CUS always had an answer, 

sweeping up the left for scrum-half 

Charlie O’Byrne to touchdown for 27-10 

in the 47th minute. 

However, the Sutton school was back 

for more soon enough, flanker Tadhg 

O’Connor-O’Hehir grounding for his 

second, Oscar McCormack converting. 

The back and forth continued as 

replacement Eoghan O’Reilly sliced 

through the cover for the clinching score. 

Sean Turner picked off a lovely individual 

effort, chipping and gathering his kick, 

and Eamon McNicholas closed the show, 

Cox adding the extras to both. 

SCORERS 

CUS – R Treacy 2 tries; S Campbell, C 

O’Byrne, C Lohan-Kilraine, E O’Reilly, S 

Turner, E McNicholas try each; N Cox 

3 cons. 

ST FINTAN’S – T O’Connor-O’Hehir 2 

tries; C Toomey try; O McCormack con. 

CUS – Jack Grant; Senan Campbell, 

Rian Treacy, Sean Byrne, Sean Turner; 

Niall Cox, Charlie O’Byrne; Aidan 

Walsh, Lucas Maguire (Capt), Conall 

Lohan-Kilraine, Dualta Larkin, Oliver 

Manks, Hugh Quigley, Ruben Maguire, 

Dylan McNeice. 


Replacements – Leo Beary, Evan 

Judge, Cathal Lynch, Eoghan O’Reilly, 

Jude Barrett; Josh Gordon, Eamon 

McNicholas, Oran Redmond. 

ST FINTAN’S – Finn McDonald; Conor 

Toomey, Shane Patterson, Conor 

Cribbin (Capt), Joshua Hansen; Cillian 

Cleary, Oscar McCormack; Ponamu 

Palazzetti, Cian Macari-Kelly, Robert 

Harvey, Marcel Haas, Luke Ingle, Tadhg 

O’Connor-O’Hehir, Simon Cantwell, Rory 

O’Connor-O’Hehir. 

Replacements – Conor McGloughlin, 

Donagh Walsh, Scott Ecock, Brandyn 

Dromgoole, Simon Cunningham, Hugh 

Dummer, Nathan Clarke, Rohan O’Shea. 

ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE 20 

TEMPLE CARRIG SCHOOL, 

GREYSTONES 13 

St Andrew’s College forged a firsthalf 

lead they needed to repel 

tenacious Temple Carrig in the 

second semi-final. 

It was also good enough to set up a 

Leinster Senior Cup First Round tie against 

Gonzaga at Castle Avenue next Friday 

week. 

The frantic opening skirmish was 

punctuated by mistakes and indiscipline 

between two teams a little over-eager in 

their play. 

Once the initial adrenalin rush subsided, 

Temple Carrig moved into position to 

strike, prop James Noonan being held up 

over the line 

The Greystones school played through 

their forwards, Dylan Potts leading the 

charge, to provide the platform for backs 

Rhys Morgan, Rhys Gamble and Jack 

Ward to threaten. 

St Andrew’s were restricted to defensive 

duties, hitting anyone with a ball as 

flankers Josh Perrem and Rocco Hill 

waded into the breakdown. 

Their first serious attack brought maximum 

reward when Francis Manzocchi 

launched a crossfield kick that bounced 

up beautifully for Harry MacChesney to 

grab. 

From there, the right-wing avoided the 

first tackle and ducked out of a second 

to score against the run of play for Joe 

Ballance to convert in the 28th minute. 

They were back on the front-foot to force 

a penalty at a ruck. Centre Ballance 

stepped up to make it a 10-point lead. 

Temple deserved better. They just could 

not put the finishing touch to their fine 

work, settling for an Ollie Barr penalty. 

However, the Booterstown school reacted 

calmly, Adam Tobin moving well from a 

scrum and Charlie Byrne flinging a pass 

for wing Jake Dolly to reach the corner, 

Ballance converting from the touchline for 

17-3 at the break. 

The application of pressure produced a 

penalty for Barr to narrow the gap before 

Ballance pinged a penalty in the 41st 

minute. 

Temple number eight Adam Williams 

and centre Morgan almost unlocked the 

defence. Flanker Lukas Zdunek did just 

that from a Barr break for the latter to 

convert in the 45th minute. 

It was all about composure from there 

on, Temple carrying from deep and 

St Andrew’s looking to mine the wide 

channels. 

In the end, neither one could impose their 

game enough to change the course of 

the game, leaving St Andrew’s relieved to 

hear the final whistle. 

SCORERS 

ST ANDREW’S – H MacChesney, J Dolly 

try each; J Ballance 2 pens, 2 cons. 

TEMPLE CARRIG – L Zdunek try; O Barr 

2 pens, con. 

ST ANDREW’S – Kiran Byrne; Harry 

MacChesney, Conn Doherty, Joe 

Ballance, Jake Dolly; Francis Manzocchi, 

Charlie Byrne; Jude McCrea, Partick 

McIlduff, Jack Bourke, Thomas Ryan, 

James O’Donoghue, Josh Perrem (Capt), 

Rocco Hill, Adam Tobin. 

Replacements – Ryan Browne, Adam 

O’Toole, Nathan Kennedy, Conor Roche, 

Killian Bradley, Karl Deegan, Simon 

O’Kelly, Max Kickham. 

TEMPLE CARRIG – Jack Ward; Matthew 

Stewart, Rhys Morgan, Ollie Barr, Rhys 

Gamble; Darragh Shanahan, Killian 

Hingerty; James Noonan, Max Sproul, 

Cathal Kirby, Dylan Potts, Nathan Ross, 

Nathan Griffiths, Lukas Zdunek, Adam 

Williams. 

Replacements – Daragh Keogh, Tom 

Doyle, Kallum McCormack, Andrew 

Kieran, Daniel Stewart, Daniel Mooney, 

Sam Farrar, Jack Caffrey. 


COUNTRY: WALES HOME GROUND: CARDIFF ARMS PARK FOUNDED: 1876 CAPACITY: 12,000 

last time out 

CA Brive 37 

Cardiff rugby 24 

SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2023 | EPCR CHALLENGE CUP | ROUND 4 POOL A STADIUM DE BRIVE | REF: ANTHONY WOODTHORPE 

Cardiff miss chance 

to top Pool A 

Cardiff fell to 

their first European 

Challenge Cup defeat 

of the season as 

they paid the price 

for a scrappy first 

half in France. 

BRIVE: Ferte, Bonneval, Tuicuvu, Bituniyata, Fabien, Sanchez, Sanga; Tapueluelu, 

Matu’u, Coria Marchetti, Delannoy, Paulos, Ratuva, Hireche (capt), Marais 

Replacements: Fraissenon, Brennan, Tuimauga, Rixen, Gue, Carbonneau, Herve, 

Douglas. 

CARDIFF: Liam Williams, Summerhill, Grady, Thomas, Harries, Priestland, Tomos 

Williams (capt); Carré, Myhill, Assiratti, Timani, Teddy Williams, Botham, Jenkins, Ratti 

Replacements: Daniel, Thyer, Davies-King, Thornton, Davies, Lewis-Hughes, Lloyd 

Williams, Evans 


The Blue and Blacks trailed 17-3 

at the break with Brive claiming 

three tries after kicking penalties 

to corner. 

Cardiff battled back in the second-half 

and even took the lead at one stage 

following tries from James Botham, Rhys 

Priestland and Jason Harries. 

However, Brive hit back with two 

further tries from Arthur Bonneval and 

Wesley Douglas to secure the win and 

qualification for the knockout stages. 

Cardiff meanwhile, will now face Sale 

Sharks in the Round of 16, after the 

English side dropped down from the 

Heineken Champions Cup. 

Dai Young’s side went into the encounter 

with a place in the Round of 16 assured 

following three consecutive bonus-point 

wins previously. 

However, by winning in Brive they knew 

they could guarantee a home quarterfinal 

and even semi-final should they 

progress in the competition.

images: inpho.ie 

Brive claimed the first try of the game 

after Ellis Jenkins was penalised for 

collecting a deflected kick from an offside 

position. 

The hosts went to the corner and 

displayed plenty of patience as their maul 

creaked forward before Motu Matu’u 

pivoted away to score. 

They threatened on numerous occasions 

before claiming a second try on 20 

minutes. Again, it came from a penalty 

kicked to the corner. On this occasion 

they attempted a slick play off the top, 

designed to put Arthur Bonneval away. 

He was caught but the ball was spread 

left and after holding the defence, 

Sanchez lofted a deft offload over the 

top to Mathis Ferte. 

Cardiff had their own opportunities, and 

at times, Brive appeared loose in defence 

but mistakes continually thwarted the 

visitors’ attempts. 

Matters were made worse for the Blue 

and Blacks when Brive claimed a third 

try on the half-hour mark. They had 

hammered at the Cardiff line for long 

periods before Sanchez grubber to the 

corner for Kevin Fabien. 

On this occasion, Sanchez converted to 

give his side a commanding 17-3 lead. 

Cardiff battled to finish the half with a 

score but were unable to snatch anything 

and went into the break trailing by 14. 

Whatever Young said at the interval did 

the trick as Cardiff came flying out of the 

blocks. 

Sanchez was first to get on the 

scoreboard but Cardiff then replied with 

three unanswered tries. 

Botham scored the first following a huge 

carry from Rhys Carré and a sumptuous 

offload out the back to maintain 

momentum. Lopeti Timani also carried 

hard before the flanker crashed over. 

Priestland converted as his next action 

was to launch a monstrous 50-22 to lay 

the foundations for a second try in as 

many minutes. 

The pack rumbled towards the line and 

just as it began to run out of steam, Tomos 

Williams broke to the right and put his 

half-back partner away. 

Priestland converted and while Sanchez 

responded with another penalty, Cardiff 

soon took the lead. 

Mason Grady, fresh from his inclusion 

in Wales’ Six Nations squad, made an 

impressive outside break combining 

foot-work with power and he then fired a 

miss-pass to Harries. 

The wing had plenty left to do but he 

powered over and Priestland added the 

extras to give his side the lead. 

Cardiff now had all the momentum but 

mistakes crept back into the game and 

Brive hit back through Bonneval and 

Douglas. 

Aled Summerhill thought he had scored 

in the closing stages, only for the try to be 

ruled out for a forward pass and Lloyd 

Williams crossed in the final play but lost 

the ball in contact, as Cardiff left France 

frustrated and empty handed. 


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Director of Rugby 

Dai Young 

Dai Young rejoined Cardiff for his second 

spell in the Coache’s Box in 2021, after 

leaving the side a decade earlier to work 

at Wasps. A Wales international in both 

Rugby Union and Rugby League, and the 

only player to play on three Lions tours in 

three difference decades. 

Captain 

Josh Turnbull 

Josh Turnbull was named captain of 

Cardiff ahead of the 2021-22 season, 

having previously led the team on a 

number of occasions. Turnbull has 

played over 230 times in the BKT United 

Rugby Championship, as is second in the 

all-time appearances list, behind John 

Muldoon. 

cardiff squad 

FORWARDS 

RHYS ANSTEY 

LOCK 

DIMITRI ARHIP 

PROP 

KEIRON ASSIRATTI 

PROP 

RHYS BARRATT 

PROP 

LIAM BELCHER 

HOOKER 

JAMES BOTHAM 

FLANKER 

GWILYM BRADLEY 

FLANKER 

RHYS CARRE 

PROP 

KRISTIAN DACEY 

HOOKER 

EFAN DANIEL 

HOOKER 

SEB DAVIES 

LOCK 

WILL DAVIES-KING 

PROP 

COREY DOMACHOWSKI 

PROP 

TAULUPE FALETAU 

FLANKER 

ELLIS JENKINS 

FLANKER 

DILLON LEWIS 

PROP 

SHANE LEWIS-HUGHES 

FLANKER 

ALEX MANN 

FLANKER 

SEAN MOORE 

LOCK 

KIRBY MYHILL 

HOOKER 

JOSH NAVIDI 

FLANKER 

JOE PEARD 

LOCK 

JAMES RATTI 

LOCK 

OLLY ROBINSON 

FLANKER 

RORY THORNTON 

LOCK 

BRAD THYER 

PROP 

LOPETI TIMANI 

LOCK 

JOSH TURNBULL 

LOCK 

TEDDY WILLIAMS 

LOCK 

THOMAS YOUNG 

FLANKER 

BACKS 

JOSH ADAMS 

WING 

ASHLEY BECK 

CENTRE 

JACOB BEETHAM 

FULLBACK 

ELLIS BEVAN 

SCRUM-HALF 

BEN BURNELL 

FLY-HALF 

THEO CABANGO 

WING 

DEWI CROSS 

WING 

JARROD EVANS 

FLY-HALF 

DAN FISH 

FULLBACK 

JOE GOODCHILD 

WING 

MASON GRADY 

CENTRE 

TOM HABBERFIELD 

SCRUM-HALF 

UILISI HALAHOLO 

CENTRE 

JASON HARRIES 

WING 

JAMIE HILL 

SCRUM-HALF 

OWEN LANE 

WING 

REY LEE-LO 

CENTRE 

MAX LLEWELLYN 

CENTRE 

ETHAN LLOYD 

SCRUM-HALF 

HARRI MILLARD 

CENTRE 

MATTHEW MORGAN 

FULLBACK 

RHYS PRIESTLAND 

FLY-HALF 

ALED SUMMERHILL 

WING 

BEN THOMAS 

CENTRE 

RYAN WILKINS 

CENTRE 

LIAM WILLIAMS 

FULLBACK 

TOMOS WILLIAMS 

SCRUM-HALF 

LLOYD WILLIAMS 

SCRUM-HALF 

CAM WINNETT 

FULLBACK 


BY DES BERRY 

RAILWAY UNION 

This was the big sell by Irishman 

John Cronin that convinced New 

Zealander Dee Roberts, the girl 

from Palmerston North, the next 

move she would make would be 

from Wasps to Railway Union. 

The charm and charisma of Cronin were 

backed-up by delivering on a promise 

made to the Kiwi, making it easier to see 

why the club has been at the top of the 

Women’s game in Ireland. 

“I think it comes down to the performance 

aspect,” says Dee. 

Club in 

Focus 

“We treat our players like 

professional athletes, and we 

expect them to perform like 

professional athletes.” 

- John Cronin, Railway Union. 

“Three years ago, I moved over from 

Wasps to play here and there are high 

standards demanded in preparation and 

performance. 

“For instance, we follow a Strength and 

Conditioning gym programme twice a 

week. We have three pitch sessions a 

week. We have a physio and an analysis 

team coding all our games as we play 

them. We even get fed after training. 

“We are just treated very well. With that 

respect comes a responsibility to perform 

at a high level.” 

Twenty-seven years old Dee bases 

some life decisions on a deep love of 

rugby, traveling when and where the 

opportunities arise. 

There is something about Railway that 

fosters a sense of belonging, comradery 

and a want to stay. 

“I plan to stay on for another couple of 

years and apply for my citizenship. I am 

no spring chicken. But, I would love to get 

the opportunity to potentially play at the 

highest level,” she states. 

In the meantime, Dee is working at a 

club that houses two senior men’s and 

women’s teams at a venue that houses 

multiple sports in hockey, cricket, tennis, 

bridge, bowls, football and rugby. 

“Looking at the pitch, it is difficult to see 

it as the home of a Senior club that has 

won two All-Ireland League titles,” Dee 

says. 


“Our success has to do with our 

background supports and volunteers who 

give up their time to seek sponsorship, 

recruitment, analysis and registration to 

name a few. 

“As well as our social media presence, 

the support of our past players and that 

of our men’s teams. They are our bigger 

fans. 

“We run a President’s lunch for our first 

All-Ireland League home game each 

season which lends to more supporters 

in through the gate and active talk on the 

women’s game. 

“I know there are bigger clubs out there 

with larger facilities. But, we focus on the 

players and give them what they need to 

play the game whether in the All-Ireland 

League or the Metro League.” 

Although Railway is primarily known for 

its exploits in the Women’s game, the 

men have always been supportive, often 

showing up to cheer them on. 

“Right now, we have two men’s teams 

with 82 registered players and two 

women’s teams with 59 registered 

players, quite an even split.” 

There is recognition around how Railway 

Union has to build from the grassroots up 

or risk losing its’ status and its’ profile in 

the long-term. 

The numbers at the minis and the youths 

levels are skinny as the club only offers 

training for girls. 


Try Leinster’s Next Big Dish 

from Mao At Home today

Consequently, Railway has initiated 

an underage participation-based 

programme in the last two years, slowly 

growing from two girls in 2021 to 20 

girls in 2023, front-lining the programme 

is Claire Bryne with assistance from other 

players on the senior women’s teams. 

Already, it is a project which has seen 

Sarah Emerson play Tag and Touch for 

Ireland U18s and for the Metro area in 

the Sarah Robinson Cup. 

There has also been the delivery of 

the first junior player crossing over to 

the senior team this season, bringing 

excitement at what is possible in the years 

to come 

“Our 12s combine forces with Lansdowne 

Rugby Club and play lots of fun games 

each week. Our U16s play with the 

Sharks which is all of the Dublin clubs 

combining forces,” issues Dee. 

“Our U18s play with the Panthers which 

again is all of the Dublin teams playing 

together. Training is once a week with an 

additional session on the weekend with 

their combined mini teams.” 

Railway is also committed to reaching 

schools around the city, not just in the 

immediate Dublin 4 area. 

“We also run programmes with some of 

our local secondary schools,” adds Dee. 

“We’ve been involved with St. Louis 

High School, The Kings Hospital, The 

High School, St. Andrew’s College and 

Loreto on the Green, which has been a 

big benefit to getting girls down to their 

local clubs. 

“We are also working with others in our 

community, our senior women’s players 

giving back by coaching in junior clubs. 

“Emerson Allen and Daisey Earle have 

coached Lansdowne RFC girls and Nikki 

Caughey has helped with St Mary’s RFC 

underage girls. ” 

In September 2021, the holistic approach 

of the club led to the creation of the 

Railway Union Inclusion Tag team, 

offering tag rugby to children 5-18 years 

with additional support needs. 

“Throughout our training sessions, 

children with additional support needs 

learn a new skill, such as catching, 

running and tagging, as well as a new 

sport and have fun while socializing with 

peers. 

“Recruitment began with three taster 

sessions on Sundays. It allowed coaches 

to get an understanding of how the 

sessions would run and for children to 

familiarise themselves with Railway. 

“Sundays are traditionally one of our 

busiest mornings with Junior soccer also 

happening. It was important to us to have 

our training on at times that the club was 

busy so it was all-inclusive. 

“We have engaged with our local sports 

partnership, local schools, disability 

services and other inclusive teams to 

encourage participation.” 

In terms of the Inclusion Programme, there 

is beauty in the eyes of all the beholders 

as newcomers blend in with those 

already bitten by the bug that is rugby. 

“Ten players signed up and come 

regularly on Wednesday nights, training 

alongside the players in the underage 

girls’ program,” says Dee. 

“Often the younger group of girls mix in 

for skills and drills before breaking away 

to practice in a tag game. 

“This encourages peer-to-peer mentorship 

and neurodiversity from an early age,” 

says Dee. 

The IRFU and Leinster Branch has been 

fantastic in providing clubs around Dublin 

that we can meet, mix with and play 

against. 

“There are currently seven blitzes 

planned throughout the Leinster region 

for this year.” 


KNOWING WHAT ADVICE TO TAKE 

IS ESSENTIAL IN THIS GAME. 

OFFICIAL LEGAL ADVISOR 

Beauchamps LLP | Riverside Two | Sir John Rogerson’s Quay | Dublin 2 | D02 KV60 

beauchamps.ie

Beef to the heels like 

a Mullingar Heifer 

Shay Murtagh 

Park, the 

home of MRFCs 

“Heifers” 

provided an 

enjoyable 

day of female 

rugby in 

November. 

The club hosted a “Heifers Day” 

in celebration of all our female 

players past and present. Our 

little ones had fun and frolics 

galore, face painting, games, 

obstacle courses competitions 

then with all our girls fed and 

watered and donning their 

Mullingar attire they took over 

our brand spanking new stand. 

On the day, Mullingar’s U15s played 

Creggs in a fine display of skill and 

power, a prime example of the quality 

rugby being played by young girls all 

over Ireland. 

With senior and junior players out 

supporting, they didn’t fail to enthral the 

crowed with some fantastic rugby, they 

are one of many exciting girls’ youths 

teams in MRFC. 

The senior women had a tough act 

to follow and a crowd they hoped to 

impress. Meeting the standards our 

younger players had set on the day and 

make all their supporters tall and small 

proud would not be an easy task but 

through pure grit and determination they 

did not disappoint. 

Some very influential past players also 

came out to show their support, the day 

shaped up nicely. The goal for the day 

was to recognise the strong “Heifer spirit” 

at the core of girls and womens rugby 

in the club and how it plays a pivotal 

role, in the development of the game, the 

individual and the club on a whole. 

Heifers tall and small, old and young 

flew their flags chanted their chant and 

enjoyed the beauty that is rugby. With the 

core values of rugby Respect, Inclusivity, 

Integrity, Fun and Excellence entrenched 

in the club ethos our girls and women 

continue to drive forward carving out 

exciting futures in Irish rugby. 

With regular displays of brute strength, 

determination and resilience these young 

girls and women are going from strength 

to strength, the future of Mullingar rugby 

is bright. 



John 

Mckee 

THE ACADEMY 

INTERVIEW 

BY PAUL CAHILL 

The end of 

January is a 

time of great 

opportunity 

in a rugby 

season. 


PROUD TO BE OFFICIAL 

BUSINESS ADVISORS 

TO LEINSTER RUGBY 

For further information contact: 

Michael Costello, Managing Partner, 

on 01 470 0130 or email mcostello@bdo.ie 

Visit www.bdo.ie 

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.

Some players will be looking to 

impress in green ahead of the Six 

Nations, while those with their 

provinces might finally get the 

chance they have been waiting 

for. 

Of the 20 Leinster Rugby players involved 

with Ireland right now, you can be sure 

they all needed a similar opportunity to 

get their first chance in a blue jersey. 

Academy hooker, John McKee was no 

different. 

Last year, he began the season behind 

the likes of Rónan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan, 

Seán Cronin and James Tracy. 

But, he knew that if an opportunity arose, 

he would take it. 

“Leo always says that everyone has to 

stay ready,” says McKee. 

“I was very aware that last year I was 

number five in the depth chart. I also had 

Lee Barron coming up behind putting 

pressure on me as well. 

“I knew that if I got any kind of chance, 

I had to make sure there wouldn’t be a 

drop in standard. 

“I took the advice on board and spent all 

of last year ready in case I got the call.” 

When the call did finally come, it was in 

far grander surroundings than is usually 

the case. 

If you look through the Leinster Rugby 

history books, most players have made 

their debut on cold, heavy pitches in the 

winter months when the internationals 

are away. 

John McKee didn’t pull the short straw for 

his debut. 

McKee travelled with the squad for the 

two-game tour of South Africa as cover 

to Rónan Kelleher and James Tracy. The 

young hooker travelled in the hope of 

getting a few minutes in either game. 

But, the mantra of staying ready was 

put to the test in two of the most iconic 

stadiums in world rugby. 

“I thought I might get some time in 

the second game in Cape Town, but 

everything changed pretty quickly. 

“James Tracy unfortunately got injured 

early on while we were over there so I 

was moved onto the bench. 

“Rónan Kelleher was only due to be 

there for the first game, but he pulled up 

beforehand. Then it hit me, ‘oh my god. 

I’m starting here’. It all happened very 

fast. 

“Then I realised, I’m starting next week 

too. Let’s go.” 

Without much time to think about it, 

McKee was making his full debut against 

the Cell C Sharks in Kings Park in 

Durban. 

Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi and 

Makazole Mapimpi were just some of 

the South African stars lining up to face 

Leinster that night. 

A daunting prospect to make your debut 

against World Cup winners, surely? 

“It probably helped that I didn’t have too 

much time to think about it. 

“The pressure was definitely on, but when 

you’re straight in, you just get on with it.” 

A young Leinster team fell to a narrow 

28-23 defeat against the Sharks. 

“I thought the first game went ok. 

Nothing amazing but I felt I had gained 

a bit more trust from the coaches. 


“We knew we had another opportunity 

against the Stormers a week later.” 

The team moved to Cape Town and the 

incredible 55,000-seater DHL Stadium. 

Not a bad spot to make your 

second senior appearance. 

Again, the young Leinster side 

picked up a very credible 

losing bonus point in a 20-13 

defeat. 

“The Stormers game was tough 

but the lineout was functioning 

so I was quite happy. 

“It was a brilliant experience with a 

great group of lads.” 

While it took a few injuries for McKee to 

get his chance, he is quick to point out 

how helpful the other hookers were in 

getting him ready for his first appearance. 

“Whenever Rónan Kelleher and Dan 

Sheehan went into Ireland camp, I 

was third choice behind James Tracy 

and Seán Cronin. So I was going as 

a travelling reserve to games. I wasn’t 

playing but I was delighted to be 

involved. 

“It was absolutely horrible that James 

Tracy picked up the injury in South Africa, 

and I knew that Seán Cronin was going 

to finish up either way at the end of last 

season, but they were great with me. 

“When I travelled with the squad, they 

always kept me involved. I was always 

learning from them and they helped me 

so much.” 

Not long after returning from South 

Africa, John McKee got another 

opportunity. This time against Munster at 

Aviva Stadium. 

Unbelievably, having already played in 

Durban and Cape Town, Aviva Stadium 

was the smallest stadium that McKee 

played in last season. 


It was 

such a big 

game for 

me because 

my friends 

and family 

were there 

in Aviva 

Stadium 

and it was 

such a big 

crowd. 

But, for him, it was certainly the biggest 

game. 

“I was happy that I did enough to earn 

a spot on the bench against Munster 

because it showed I did ok in South 

Africa. 

“It was such a big game for me because 

my friends and family were there in Aviva 

Stadium and it was such a big crowd. 

“I felt like I played well when I came off 

the bench and I was brought on quite 

early. 

“It was a surreal moment when they 

called out for Cian Healy, Peter Dooley 

and John McKee to get ready on 48 

minutes. OK, let’s go. We’re on early 

here. 

“That was probably more enjoyable than 

South Africa because there were a lot of 

nerves for the first two games. 

“I felt more comfortable going into the 

Munster game. I felt I played well too.” 

As McKee came into this season, his third 

in the Leinster Academy, he has been a 

regular name in the matchday squads. 

The Cardiff game this evening will be his 

ninth game of the season. 

It’s a run he is certainly enjoying. 

“It’s been class this year. I feel like I have 

more confidence and I feel like I can 

impact games more. 

“The whole matchday is a bit more 

enjoyable when you have a bit more 

confidence. There’s still nerves, but I 

really enjoy arriving at the stadium and 

seeing the crowd and my family. 

“I didn’t come off the bench in two 

games which was hard, but you have to 

understand when Dan Sheehan is playing 

so well.” 

It’s clear that the McKee family are there 

for as many big moments of John’s career 

as they can possibly get to. 

They are certainly making the most of his 

run in the team this year. 

“My family come to every home game. 

My mum Dawn, my dad Mark, my aunt 

Audrey, my grandad Derek and one of 

my brothers Andrew. My other brother 

Daniel is living in England but he’ll be 

over next month for a game. 

“My girlfriend and her family like coming 

down too, so I’m usually running around 

looking for tickets quite often. 

“My grandad loves matchdays. It’s a 

great day out for him. I rang him during 

the week to tell him I’ll be involved again 

this week against Cardiff. 

“I think he was happier that he gets 

another day trip than me getting another 

cap. It’s great having them in the stadium 

with me.” 

The young Belfast man, who joined the 

Leinster Sub-Academy after leaving 

Campbell College, has taken every step 

in his stride. 

Like many young players, he has had to 

bide his time. But, he also seems to be 

taking his opportunity with both hands. 

Here’s to many more days out for the 

McKee family. 


Leinster 

Rugby 

Academy 

Year 

Three: 


Marcus Hanan (3) #1295 


FROM Clane, Co Kildare 

HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 0”) 


POSITION Loosehead prop 

SCHOOL Salesian College, Celbridge 

CLUB Clane RFC 

HONOURS Ireland U-20 (2 caps) 

John McKee (11) #1307 


FROM Belfast 

HEIGHT 1.85m ( 6’ 0”) 


POSITION Hooker 

SCHOOL Campbell College 

CLUB Terenure College RFC 


Seán O’Brien (3) #1297 


FROM Pittsburgh, PA, USA 

HEIGHT 1.91m ( 6 ’ 3”) 

WEIGHT 106kg ( 16st 10lbs) 

POSITION Back Row 

SCHOOL Blackrock College 

CLUB UCD RFC 


Max O’Reilly (10) #1291 


FROM Long Island, USA 

HEIGHT 1.86m (6’ 1”) 


POSITION Full-back 

SCHOOL St Gerard’s School 

CLUB DUFC 


Andrew Smith (2) #1292 


FROM Dublin 

HEIGHT 1.8 m (5’ 11”) 


POSITION Back Three 

SCHOOL St Michael’s College 

CLUB Clontarf FC 




Academy 

Year 

Two: 

Alex Soroka (7) #1296 


FROM Cork 

HEIGHT 1.95m (6’ 5”) 



SCHOOL Belvedere College 



Jack Boyle 


FROM Dublin 

HEIGHT 1.86m (6’ 1”) 


POSITION Loosehead prop 


CLUB UCD RFC 


Lee Barron (2) #1308 


FROM Dublin 

HEIGHT 1.93m (6’ 3”) 


POSITION Hooker 


CLUB DUFC 


Chris Cosgrave (4) #1305 


FROM Dublin 

HEIGHT 1.85m (6’ 0”) 




CLUB UCD RFC 


Temi Lasisi (1) #1304 

DOB 9 May 2001 

FROM Enniscorthy, Co Wexford 

HEIGHT 1.83m (6’ 0 “) 


POSITION Tighthead prop 

SCHOOL CBS Enniscorthy 

CLUB Lansdowne FC/Enniscorthy RFC 


(3) = Leinster Rugby Senior caps

Ben Murphy (1) #1309 


FROM Bray 

HEIGHT 1.76m (5’ 8”) 


POSITION Scrum-half 

SCHOOL Presentation College, Bray 





Academy 

Year 

One: 

Rob Russell (13) #1302 


FROM Dublin 

HEIGHT 1.83m (6’ 0”) 




CLUB DUFC 


Ben Brownlee (1) #1313 


FROM Dublin 

HEIGHT 1.87m (6’ 2”) 


POSITION Centre 


CLUB UCD RFC 


James Culhane 


FROM Enniskerry, Co Wicklow 

HEIGHT 1.94m (6’ 4”) 




CLUB UCD RFC 


Aitzol Arenzana-King 


FROM Gormanston, Co Meath 

HEIGHT 1.91m (6’ 3”) 



SCHOOL Gormanston College/CUS 

CLUB Clontarf FC/Balbriggan RFC 


Diarmuid Mangan 


FROM Kildare 

HEIGHT 1.93 m (6’ 4”) 



SCHOOL Newbridge College 

CLUB UCD RFC 


Rory McGuire 


FROM Dublin 

HEIGHT 1.93m (6’ 4”) 


POSITION Tightead prop 


CLUB UCD RFC 


Sam Prendergast 


FROM Kildare 

HEIGHT 1.94m (6’ 4”) 


POSITION Out-half 

SCHOOL Newbridge College 

CLUB Lansdowne FC 


Charlie Tector (2) #1314 


FROM Wexford 

HEIGHT 1.89 m (6’ 2”) 


POSITION Out-half 

SCHOOL Kilkenny College 

CLUB Lansdowne FC 



fixtures and 

results 2022/23 

Date 

17/09 

23/09 

30/09 

08/10 

14/10 

22/10 

28/10 

26/11 

03/12 

10/12 

16/12 

26/12 

01/01 

07/01 

14/01 

21/01 

KO/ 

Result 

Opposiotion Venue 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 1 2 

W 

29-33 URC ZEBRE Stadio Sergio 

Lanfranchi 

O’REILLY RUSSELL OSBORNE NGATAI 

KEARNEY 

1T 

R. BYRNE 

C4 

W 

42-10 URC BENETTON RDS Arena O’BRIEN LARMOUR RINGROSE HENSHAW KEARNEY FRAWLEY 

3C 

W 

13-20 URC ULSTER Kingspan 

Stadium 

W 

54-34 

URC 

CELL C 

SHARKS 

O’BRIEN LARMOUR RINGROSE HENSHAW KEARNEY 

RDS Arena O’BRIEN LARMOUR 

HENSHAW 

1T 

NGATAI 

RUSSELL 

1T 

R. BYRNE 

2C 2P 

SEXTON 

1T, 7C 

W 

0-10 URC CONNACHT Sportsground O’BRIEN TURNER RINGROSE NGATAI RUSSELL R. BYRNE 

1C 

W 

27-13 URC MUNSTER Aviva 

Stadium 

W 

5-35 URC SCARLETS Parc y 

Scarlets 

FRAWLEY O’BRIEN RINGROSE HENSHAW OSBORNE 

COSGRAVE 

1T 

RUSSELL 

1T 

W 

40-5 URC GLASGOW RDS Arena OSBORNE RUSSELL 

3T 

TURNER NGATAI KEARNEY 

TURNER 

W 

38-29 URC ULSTER RDS Arena KEENAN O’BRIEN RINGROSE 

2T 

W 

10-42 HCC RACING 92 Stade 

Océane 

KEENAN 

O’BRIEN 

RINGROSE 

1T 

NGATAI 

OSBORNE 

NGATAI 

KEARNEY 

1T 

W 

57-0 HCC GLOUCESTER RDS Arena KEENAN O’BRIEN RINGROSE NGATAI LOWE 

2T 

W 

19-20 URC MUNSTER Thomond 

Park 

W 

41-12 URC CONNACHT RDS Arena O’BRIEN LARMOUR 

(2T) 

W 

19-24 URC OSPREYS Swansea. 

com Stadium 

LOWE 

1T 

LOWE 

KEENAN O’BRIEN RINGROSE OSBORNE LOWE 

KEENAN 

(1T) 

W 

14-49 HCC GLOUCESTER Kingsholm KEENAN 

(1T) 

W 

36-10 HCC RACING 92 Aviva 

Stadium 

28/01 17:05 URC CARDIFF 

RUGBY 

18/02 19:35 URC DRAGONS 

RFC 

04/03 17:05 URC EDINBURGH 

24/03 19:35 URC DHL 

STORMERS 

01/04 17:30 HCC ULSTER 

15/04 14:00 URC EMIRATES 

LIONS 

22/04 16:05 URC VODACOM 

BULLS 

RDS Arena 

RDS Arena 

DAM Health 

Stadium 

RDS Arena 

Aviva 

Stadium 

Emirates 

Airline Park 

Loftus 

Versfeld 

KEENAN 

(2T) 

TURNER 

(1T) 

NGATAI 

LARMOUR OSBORNE NGATAI 

LARMOUR 

(1T) 

LARMOUR 

RINGROSE 

RINGROSE 

(1T) 

OSBORNE 

(1T) 

OSBORNE 

RUSSELL 

(1T) 

O’BRIEN 

(1T) 

O’BRIEN 

O’BRIEN 

(2T) 

SEXTON 

2C, 1P 

R. BYRNE 

3C 

R. BYRNE 

4C 

R BYRNE 

5C, 1P 

R BYRNE 

4C 

R BYRNE 

5C 

R BYRNE 

2P, 2C 

SEXTON 

(2C) 

H. BYRNE 

(1P, 1C) 

R. BYRNE 

(5C) 

R. BYRNE 

(2C) 

MCGRATH 

1T 

MCGRATH 

1T 

MCGRATH 

MCGRATH 

FOLEY 

1T 

MCGRATH 

1T 

E BYRNE 

PORTER 

PORTER 

PORTER 

1T 

KELLEHER 

SHEEHAN 

4T 

SHEEHAN 

1T 

SHEEHAN 

E. BYRNE SHEEHAN 

HEALY 

SHEEHAN 

1T 

MCGRATH E. BYRNE MCKEE 

MCGRATH E. BYRNE KELLEHER 

GIBSON-PARK 

GIBSON-PARK 

MCGRATH 

1T 

N MCCARTHY 

HEALY 

PORTER 

1T 

PORTER 

PORTER 

KELLEHER 

1T 

SHEEHAN 

1T 

KELLEHER 

2T 

SHEEHAN 

1T 

GIBSON-PARK MILNE KELLEHER 

FOLEY 

HEALY 

SHEEHAN 

(1T) 

GIBSON-PARK PORTER SHEEHAN 

GIBSON-PARK PORTER KELLEHER 


3 4 5 6 7 8 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

ALAALATOA 

MOLONY 

JENKINS 

1T 

RUDDOCK 

T2 

ALAALATOA MOLONY JENKINS BAIRD 

ALAALATOA MOLONY JENKINS 

ALAALATOA 

MOLONY 

JENKINS 

2T 

BAIRD 

1T 

PENNY DEEGAN MCKEE MILNE ABDALADZE DEENY SOROKA MCCARTHY FRAWLEY CONNORS 

VAN DER FLIER 

1T 

DORIS KELLEHER E. BYRNE HEALY MCCARTHY CONNORS FOLEY 

R. BYRNE 

3C 

NGATAI 

VAN DER FLIER CONAN MCKEE E. BYRNE ABDALADZE RYAN CONNORS MCCARTHY SEXTON NGATAI 

BAIRD CONNORS RUDDOCK 

MCKEE 

1T 

HEALY ABDALADZE RYAN MOLONEY FOLEY BYRNE 

FURLONG MOLONY RYAN DORIS VAN DER FLIER CONAN MCKEE PORTER ALAALATOA MCCARTHY MOLONEY MCCARTHY 

ALA’ALATOA JENKINS RYAN DEEGAN 

CLARKSON 

1T 

PENNY 

1T 

FRAWLEY 

1P 

DORRIS MCKEE PORTER CLARKSON MOLONY CONAN MCCARTHY R. BYRNE 

RINGROSE 

2T 

HENSHAW 

MOLONY JENKINS RUDDOCK PENNY DEEGAN MCELROY MILNE ABDALADZE DEENY MOLONEY MCCARTHY TECTOR BROWNLEE 

CLARKSON MOLONY MCCARTHY RUDDOCK PENNY DEEGAN 

MCKEE 

1T 

ALA’ALATOA RYAN JENKINS BAIRD VAN DER FLIER CONAN SHEEHAN 

ALA’ALATOA RYAN JENKINS BAIRD 

ALA’ALATOA 

MOLONY 

RYAN 

1T 

DORIS 

1T 

HEALY BAIRD J MCCARTHY RUDDOCK 

ALA’ALATOA 

DEENY 

(1T) 

RYAN 

BAIRD 

(1T) 

VAN DER FLIER 

2T 

VAN DE FLIER 

1T 

PENNY 

1T 

VAN DER FLIER 

(1T) 

DORIS 

KELLEHER 

MILNE 

1T 

PORTER 

1T 

E BYRNE 

1T 

ABDALADZE JENKINS BAIRD FOLEY 

H. BYRNE 

1C 

RUSSELL 

1T 

COSGRAVE 

FURLONG MOLONY DORIS MCCARTHY TECTOR TURNER 

HEALY MOLONY CONAN MCGRATH 

CONAN SHEEHAN E. BYRNE HEALY J MCCARTHY DEEGAN GIBSON-PARK 

H BYRNE 

2C 

SEXTON 

1C 

OSBORNE 

LARMOUR 

1T 

DEEGAN MCKEE MILNE ABDALADZE MOLONY CONAN MCGRATH H BYRNE TURNER 

DORIS MCKEE PORTER ABDALADZE SOROKA PENNY FOLEY 

ALA’ALATOA MOLONY DEENY RUDDOCK PENNY CONAN MCKEE MILNE ABDALADZE RYAN VAN DER FLIER MCCARTHY 

ALA’ALATOA 

(1T) 

MOLONY RYAN BAIRD 

ALA’ALATOA J MCCARTHY RYAN DORIS 

VAN DER FLIER 

(1T) 

VAN DER FLIER 

(1T) 

DORIS 

(1T) 

KELLEHER 

(1T) 

MILNE HEALY DEENY CONAN MCCARTHY 

CONAN SHEEHAN MILNE HEALY MOLONY BAIRD MCGRATH 

H. BYRNE 

(1C) 

R. BYRNE 

(2C) 

H. BYRNE 

(2C) 

H BYRNE 

(1C) 

OSBORNE 

RUSSELL 

TURNER 

PENNY 


matchday 

Squads 

officials 

Chris COSGRAVE 

Max O’REILLY 

Liam TURNER 

Ben BROWNLEE 

Dave KEARNEY 

Harry BYRNE 

Luke McGRATH 

15 

14 

13 

12 

11 

10 

9 

FULL BACK 

RIGHT WING 

OUTSIDE CENTRE 

INSIDE CENTRE 

LEFT WING 

FLY HALF 

SCRUM HALF 

Rhys PRIESTLAND 

Owen LANE 

Rey LEE-LO 

Ben THOMAS 

Jason HARRIES 

Jarrod Evans 

Lloyd WILLIAMS 

REFEREE: 

JACO PEYPER 

(SARU, 13TH COMPETITION GAME) 

ASSISTANT REFEREE: 

JOY NEVILLE (IRFU) 

ASSISTANT REFEREE: 

ANDREW FOGARTY (IRFU) 

TMO: 

MARIUS JONKER (SARU) 

Michael MILNE 

John McKEE 

Michael ALA’ALATOA 

Ross MOLONY 

Brian DEENY 

Rhys RUDDOCK [C] 

Scott PENNY 

Max DEEGAN 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

LOOSE HEAD PROP 

HOOKER 

TIGHT HEAD PROP 

SECOND ROW 

SECOND ROW 

BLINDSIDE FLANKER 

OPENSIDE FLANKER 

NUMBER 8 

Brad THYER 

Kirby MYHILL 

Keiron ASSIRATTI 

Lopeti TIMANI 

Seb DAVIES 

Josh TURNBULL [C] 

James BOTHAM 

James RATTI 

Tadgh McELROY 

Marcus HANAN 

Thomas CLARKSON 

James CULHANE 

Will CONNORS 

Nick McCARTHY 

Charlie TECTOR 

Aitzol KING 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

REPLACEMENT 

REPLACEMENT 

REPLACEMENT 

REPLACEMENT 

REPLACEMENT 

REPLACEMENT 

REPLACEMENT 

REPLACEMENT 

Kristian DACEY 

Corey DOMACHOWSKI 

Will DAVIES-KING 

Rory THORNTON 

Shane LEWIS-HUGHES 

Ellis BEVAN 

Aled SUMMERHILL 

Matthew MORGAN

*Restrictions apply. 

*

Parting Shot 

21 January 2023 

Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 

Hugo Keenan celebrates with 

Luke McGrath, Jordan Larmour 

and Dan Sheehan after scoring 

their side’s fourth try during the 

Heineken Champions Cup Pool A 

Round 4 match between Leinster 

and Racing 92 at Aviva Stadium 

in Dublin.

Leinster Rugby vs Cardiff Rugby

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