‘Are you better off with Plymouth or Real Madrid?’

THE FAMILY is still back home in Cork - though he spends six days a week in Dublin - and there are those who contend his heart still lies in Munster.

But as Declan Kidney, one of rugby’s finest Irish coaches, insists: “A lot of things have happened over the past 12 months and I’m enjoying where I am.”

As an aside, he says: “It’s nice to be working with Irish players”, referring to the fact he was contracted to the Welsh Dragons last summer before circumstances allowed him to take over at Leinster.

Before his association with the Dragons, he had left the Irish national set-up under a cloud so he is right when he says how dramatically things have moved in the past year.

Life on and off the field is different in Leinster than in Munster, where Kidney enjoyed his greatest moments, including two European Cup finals, lost in harrowing circumstances to Northampton and Leicester.

“In Munster, you go out the door and it’s pretty obvious there’s a big match coming up. You know it all the time. In Dublin, it is a little bit different because it’s such a big city but there’s a huge crowd coming and if we can get a little bit of momentum going and give them something to shout about, then they will get behind us.”

Kidney is nothing if not a realist. Above all, he loves coaching and that’s why the offer of an office job from the IRFU this time last year never sat easily with him. Leinster proved to be the best option and true to form, he has made it work. They have won all six of their Heineken Cup games and also have a home quarter-final in the Celtic Cup.

“Every team has its own culture, be it an Irish team or a provincial team. I’m sure in England there’s a big difference between the London teams and the west country teams but for all that, this has been a great experience,” he insists.

“You’re working with some of the best players in the world in their positions. The provincial scene has changed a lot in that you have games every weekend, there’s now a much more multinational aspect. The first day we went professional, there was always an understanding that we were there to supply the national side and that has been re-emphasised over the past few years. I think Leinster are doing their bit on that front.

“But that means the squad is bigger. Every player wants to play, that has its own challenges so it’s a little bit different than before. It’s a tougher job for the players if you’re not getting a game every week.

“But we’ve said to them, are you better off being a member of Real Madrid or Plymouth Argyle? It depends what you want from it.

“Handling the differences isn’t too difficult. I have an apartment in Dublin where I spend six days a week. Without the support of Anne and the kids, I couldn’t do it and if I didn’t have that support, I wouldn’t. I’m very grateful to them for that.”

He pondered the possibilities of a Leinster-Munster final.

“That would be a good day, we’d have to get that one changed to Croke Park. And it’s possible in two competitions this year. We’ve had two games between the sides already and they’ve been great fun, really positive banter. I’m coaching Leinster to the very best of my ability and if I didn’t do that, I think the Munster players would be disappointed in me. There’s nothing to stop you being competitive and getting on with people.”

Having been embarrassed by the use of phrases such as 50/50 or 60/40 to predict the outcome of matches in the past, Kidney is reluctant to put his head on the block in forecasting tomorrow’s quarter-final against Leicester. In fact, he is far more forthcoming when he dismisses those who contend that Munster have no chance against Biarritz in San Sebastián on Sunday.

“Without a doubt Ronan [O’Gara] is a loss, it’s a horrible time for him to get an injury, but then what a signing Paul Burke is”, he maintains.

“Maybe Biarritz will have done less analysis on Munster than they did before. In matches played on tight margins, that can be an advantage. They’re up against it but did Munster ever want it any other way? As for Leinster, the script is written for Leicester to win the tournament, fellas finish their career and add to their medal haul. That kind of stuff.”

In typical forthright fashion, Kidney doesn’t let the fact that his side led the pool stages with a 100% record and were ‘rewarded’ with a home game against the mighty Tigers get to him.

“The important thing was to get a home quarter-final. After that, you took your luck with the draw. Which is a bigger achievement, to win all your matches or come out of a group including Wasps and Biarritz, as Leicester did? We were fortunate in one of the Bath matches so you don’t get carried away, but the main thing is we’re playing at home.”

Now if his Leinster side can only give Lansdowne Road’s full house something to shout about ...