Galwey set for talks as Leinster net Pumas star
But former Munster captain Mick Galwey will receive a huge reception if he comes to agreement with Alan Gaffney to extend his career for another season.
As Contepomi yesterday joined Leinster on a four-year deal, Galwey was preparing to sit down and talk with Munster coach Alan Gaffney - once he completes a week-long tour with the Barbarians for their games against England, Scotland and Wales.
Galwey, who led Munster to great things over five of the last six seasons, is being considered for a place in the squad even though he is out of contract. Coach Gaffney wants the 36-year-old to play some part in the Munster squad next season and Galwey is equally reluctant to retire.
“Mick has been an icon for Munster and certainly is important to our future plans in whatever fashion it takes. We need to talk and we will talk. We will work something out but that is a matter for discussion.”
Galwey wants to put this week behind him before making any decisions. “I am looking forward to maybe making my first appearance for the Barbarians against an international side. My heart is still with Munster but it depends what is required of me. I will be sitting down to discuss my future with all concerned in the next 10 days or so,” Galwey said.
As far as Leinster is concerned, former Bristol player Contepomi is seen as a key man as the Lions seek to put the half-back problems they suffered this season behind them, in particular an inability to kick their goals in the latter stages of the Heineken Cup.
The Argentine fly-half is expected to give Leinster the edge they failed to enjoy this season in the absence of jettisoned, injured number 10 Nathan Spooner and his deputy Christian Warner. Scrum-half Brian O'Meara was given the kicking duties and, in the Heineken Cup semi-final, fell flat on his face in that regard.
Perpignan secured an amazing semi-final victory in Dublin, not just as a result of that goal-kicking lapse, but because coach Matt Williams allowed the half-back partnership to stay on for much of the game.
Williams yesterday announced that Contepomi, 25, would be the front-runner for the number 10 position next season and believes a long-term contract will give the Argentinean the confidence to boost the position of the Irish side. Contepomi admitted leaving beleaguered Bristol was a disappointment and he would miss not playing with fellow Argentine half-back Augustin Pichot.
“But I have to move on,” he said. “The opportunity was there and I had approaches from Stade Francais, Bath and Leicester. At the end of the day, I felt that the Leinster offer was the best to suit my needs.”
Those needs, for the medical student, include being allowed to pursue his studies in Dublin over the next three seasons as well as playing for Leinster, a significant factor in his decision to join Leinster. Matt Williams, lavished praise on the newcomer, saying: “It’s been well documented we were seeking a world class No. 10.”
Contepomi has 29 caps for Argentina, scoring 190 points to date for 'Los Pumas' (165 kicked, 5 tries). His international debut was against Chile on October 10 1998 and his last Test was against Ireland last November. He has played against Ireland four times and is scheduled for another encounter at RWC 2003.
Williams also paid tribute to three Leinster players who are retiring from representative rugby: Paul Wallace (ankle injury), Peter McKenna (resuming his legal career) and Peter Smyth (who will play club rugby). He also stated that a number of outstanding Leinster produced players had earned full-time contracts. “These strong, young, talented kids are John Lyne - prop, Gavin Hickie - hooker, Niall Treston - prop, Ben Gissing - lock, Shane Jennings - flanker, Niall Breslin - back row and, in the backs, Matt Leek - out-half, Kieran Lewis - centre and James Norton - winger.”
The coach wished the six released players the very best in their rugby careers. “We didn't seek to re-contract these players for a number of reasons including injury concerns and that, overall, they just weren't getting games and putting pressure on the players in front of them.” The six released players are flanker Liam Toland, scrum-halves Ben Willis and Simon Keogh, out-halves Nathan Spooner and Andy Dunne and centre Adam Magro.
Also yesterday, Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson said planning applications to redevelop its Donnybrook ground should be submitted shortly.
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