Leinster’s Lions on prowl in Glasgow
Last year the hosts were eliminated at this stage on try count following a 23-all draw at Ulster after extra time, whilst Glasgow beat Munster 18-14 in the last eight before succumbing at home to eventual winners Ulster.
Despite the departure of coach Declan Kidney, the hosts are favourites having won their final three matches of their Celtic League campaign, and wining all five matches played at Lansdowne Road in the competition.
The two sides are playing for the second match running, with Leinster being victorious 30-23 at Hughenden two weeks ago. Kieran Lewis (left) who scored in Hughenden last time out and Gary Brown (right) form a strong back three alongside full-back Girvan Dempsey while Guy Easterby partners David Holwell at half-back.
In the pack, Reggie Corrigan will captain the side. Leo Cullen and Ben Gissing are named at second row with Keith Gleeson starting at wing forward.
Meanwhile Eric Elwood whose 17 year playing career with Connacht came to an end with Sunday’s defeat to Sale Sharks, has been named as assistant coach to Michael Bradley. John McKee, the assistant coach for the past three seasons, is disappointed to be leaving the province but is hopeful of staying in Irish rugby.
Connacht CEO, Gerry Kelly said that the appointment of Elwood was an important step.
“He has given tremendous service to Connacht over the past 17 years and we are delighted that he is now going to take up a coaching role with the province. Sunday was a disappointing conclusion to the playing season but we must look ahead and plan for the future. We would see this as a major step in Eric becoming Connacht coach at some stage in the future.”
Munster lock David Pusey has been recruited by new Perth franchise Western Force for next season’s inaugural Super 14 competition. The 26-year-old is one of two European-based Australians signed by John Mitchell with Viadana fullback James Hilgendorf also set to relocate to Australia.
Pusey made 23 Super 12 appearances for the Brumbies between (2001-2003) but with Wallabies David Giffin, Justin Harrison and Daniel Vickerman ahead of him, he moved to Munster in 2003.
“The addition of a fourth Australian team is the best thing to happen for Australian Rugby in years,” said Pusey. “There are a lot of good players running around over here who would jump at the chance to go back home and play Super 14. The Western Force has opened up this opportunity.
“While I have had a great experience playing here in Munster over the past two seasons, the chance to get back to Australia to play at the Super 14 level was just too good to refuse.”
Scottish Rugby Union interim chairman Fred McLeod insists Matt Williams’ successor will have a strong background in the game north of the border. The Australian was the first foreign coach of the national team when he officially succeeded Ian McGeechan after the 2003 Rugby World Cup. However, during his tenure, Scotland won just three out of 17 Tests - against Samoa, Japan and Italy amid claims of dressing room unrest.
Glasgow backs coach Sean Lineen, Edinburgh captain Todd Blackadder and Scotland Under-21 coach John Jeffrey have all been touted as potential candidates to replace Williams.
However, McLeod has hinted that there will be no permanent appointment until after the friendly game against the Barbarians and the Test match in Bucharest against Romania on June 5.
McLeod said: “The board has to make hard decisions and sacking Matt Williams was one of them. We couldn’t allow things to drift. And the feeling now is that we need a Scottish input - that will be a major contributory factor in his replacement.
“We need someone who understands Scottish rugby and the system. It is more than likely that the interim coaching team will come from the three professional teams in Scotland, although there is a possibility that an outsider would be involved as well. Whoever comes in for the two games against the Barbarians and Romania will be helped with two wins, but it won’t guarantee anything. After the summer, we will start with a clean slate.”
: G Dempsey G Brown B O’Driscoll G D’Arcy K Lewis D Holwell G Easterby R Corrigan (Captain) S Byrne R Nebbett B Gissing L Cullen D Dillon K Gleeson V Costello Replacements from: E Byrne, D Blaney, M O’Kelly, S Jennings, E Miller, B O’Riordan, S Horgan, D Hickie, D Quinlan, F Contepomi
: Nigel Williams (WRU).
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