O’Connell date with ERC
O’Connell was sent off in the 69th minute by referee Christophe Berdos for striking Jonathan Thomas in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).
Tournament organisers, ERC, last night confirmed that the independent disciplinary hearing, chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England), will be held in Dublin.
Both parties to the hearing (ERC and the player) have the right to appeal decisions arising from the hearing.
Appeals must be lodged within 72 hours of receiving the full written decision of the independent judicial officer. The full written decision of the independent judicial officer will be available on www.ercrugby.com/disciplinenews when the disciplinary process is complete.
Whatever the outcome, Munster’s stand-in captain Denis Leamy predicts an interesting affair when the sides renew acquaintances in Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The stand-in captain defended Paul O’Connell’s character yesterday, although he stopped short of absolving him of blame for the dismissal.
But there is a sense that the “niggle” and “hangovers” will feature in the pre-match chats around UL this week.
Leamy’s face showed the signs of battle in Dublin yesterday as he looked forward to the rematch against the Magners League champions. You get the impression that Munster are relishing the return visit.
“Obviously there’s little hangovers from what happened in the game,” he admitted.
“It’s very fresh in everyone’s mind and it adds a little bit more. Little niggles and stuff and that adds to the occasion.
“It’s just something that we’re going to have to take as a one off and go hammer and tongs at it.
“We have to make sure we prepare and are very, very focused and ready to take on a very good Ospreys side.”
The expected loss of O’Connell is a big one, but Leamy argues that the province have rarely been more prepared after the lock missed most of the season so far through injury.
Having watched the club captain’s contact with Thomas on Sunday night, Leamy has moved on from his initial “astonishment” at Berdos’s decision to red card the talisman. But he reckons O’Connell’s history should see his ban limited to a short period.
“Going to a place like the Ospreys, it would be brilliant to have Paul with us,” he said.
“That’s a fact. But that’s the hand we’ve been dealt and it looks like we won’t have him. It’s not ideal, losing a world class player and it would have been the type of environment he thrives in and we’ll miss him. Paul is a great pro and has an impeccable disciplinary record. It’s very disappointing.
“In one sense it’s a good thing that we haven’t had him (due to his injury lay-off). We’ve learnt to play without Paul and Mick O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan and Ian Nagle have really stepped up. We’re pretty wellcovered.”
But what of the red card? Leamy replied: “He (Berdos) had to make a decision. You can say it’s harsh all you want, but he’s given the red card and it’s time for us to move on.”
Moving onwards and upwards have been trademarks of Leamy’s season as he has come back from injury with a hunger and desire that has marked him out as one of the province’s best performers. And he admits the nine month lay-off with a knee injury left him with a sense of needing to make the most of his opportunities at 29.
“I’ve realised over the last two years that I’ve wasted a lot of days on the sideline. I missed a lot of big games.
“It’s made me hugely hungry to come back and win with Munster and be with Ireland and do what I can.
“I’ve to be selfish about it. I don’t know how long more I’ll be playing rugby, but from now until that time I want to make sure I make the most of it. Being captain is a tough challenge, it’s one I’ve enjoyed. It’s been new to me, I was asked to do the job. I thought about it long and hard and I’ve enjoyed the challenge.”
* It was incorrectly stated in yesterday’s edition that Sunday’s red card was Paul O’Connell’s second Heineken Cup sending off. It was, in fact, his first, and extraordinarily, it was Munster’s first red card in 112 games of European action.
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