Leonard relishing battle on all fronts

JASON LEONARD is looking forward to the visit of Ireland to Twickenham, though he’d have liked to say a last goodbye to Lansdowne Road last weekend.

The old ground holds mixed memories for rugby's most capped forward. After England lost to Ireland in the "foot-and-mouth" Six Nations game in October 2001, Leonard, ever-gracious in defeat, sought out old friends under the West Stand.

"I went to see Woody [Keith Wood] and the Claw [Peter Clohessy]. Some of the Irish lads may have given me a bit of a look, but Rala (Paddy O'Reilly), their kit man, came up and gave me a cup of tea. 'There, you go, Jason. Two sugars.' It was just one of those moments that I feel could only happen in Ireland.