Leinster players stand by their man

THE Leinster squad last night issued a statement in support of beleaguered coach Gary Ella, just days after a number of them complained to a newspaper about the Australian’s 10-month reign at the province.

Following a specially convened meeting of the Leinster squad, chaired by captain Reggie Corrigan, branch chief executive Mick Dawson confirmed that the 42-year-old head coach had the full support of all his playing staff.

The tacit support of the playing squad for Ella comes as something of a surprise, especially following a weekend article in The Sunday Times which contained damning quotes about the Australian's management skills from a number of unnamed senior Leinster players.

However, last night's statement appears to contradict everything that's been said in the last few days and potentially opens up some new wounds between the pro and anti-Ella parties within the panel.

The statement, issued by Dawson last night, read: "Following recent media reports we want to confirm that the Provincial Team Management Committee will meet on Thursday, as scheduled, to review the performance of Leinster this season.

"Today's special meeting of the Leinster playing squad reaffirmed their support of Gary Ella as coach. The team want to concentrate on Friday night's match against Gwent Dragons and move on. The strong support of Gary Ella is acknowledged."

The first rumblings of discontent from Leinster emanated following their 50-21 defeat away to Llanelli on April 16. There was a noted lack of desire and organisation in the team, which contained eight members of Ireland's Triple Crown-winning side.

However, before that game there had been genuine sympathy for the coach, who has been much like Alan Gaffney forced to survive for the vast majority of the season without his international representatives.

Even when his senior players were free from international duty, injuries to the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Christian Warner and Eric Miller did not help his cause, while the

Contepomi registration blunder was another factor that was out of the coach's control.

However, in the weekend article, one player was quoted as saying: "We're losing to beat the band. The lines of communication and work ethic are bad. We've no game plan and no ambition. Everything's on a loose reign now. We have to accept some responsibility but it goes higher than us. I'm worried. I haven't spoken to a single player who isn't."

Another stated: "Gary's doing his best. He's not here to f*** us over but unfortunately I don't think his best is good enough."

A source close to the Leinster camp last night insisted that those comments had come as a surprise to most within the set-up.

"The vast majority of the squad don't feel like that. We were slightly surprised that they were expressed, especially through the media. If there were any worries, it should have been kept in-house."

All this, however, doesn't mean that Ella's job is safe, although it will go a long way towards ensuring it. The Leinster team management committee will meet on Thursday, to review the team's performance this season.

Only then, after 14 losses this season, will Ella discover his fate.