Laporte wants to end BOD run
O’Driscoll’s much-publicised decision to retire at the end of the season means every European game could be his last. An away trip to the reigning champions at the Stade Felix Mayol tomorrow increases the chances of this being the Leinster man’s final appearance on the European stage. However, Laporte still remembers their first meeting in 2000 when he was manager of France.
“Brian is a player for whom I have a lot of admiration because we started almost at the same time, him as a player and me as a coach,” said Laporte.
“He started against me in Paris by scoring three tries, which isn’t a good memory for me! And he ended his international career by wining once more at Stade de France.
“He’s one of the most talented centres of all times. He’s a legendary player, like Jonny [Wilkinson], [Richie] McCaw or [Dan] Carter. And he remains a tremendous player and a great competitor. I have a lot of respect for him.
“It would be perfect end for him in the Mayol, though — Cardiff, where the final will be held, he’s played there 20 times!”
However, Laporte accepts that ending O’Driscoll’s European adventure won’t be easy.
“Leinster are a top international-level team as 60% of the Irish side which won this year’s Six Nations were from the province, with 14 players in the Ireland 23,” added Laporte.
“Leinster have lots of very strong players; they’ve won three Heineken Cups and are almost always in the last four, so it’s very exciting to play a team like that. That’s why this competition is always exciting.
“We have never played them but this is only our third participation in the Heineken Cup so there are a lot of teams that we are yet to play.
“If you lose field position, it’s very hard to get it back because they know what to do to keep going forward. They know when and how to kick the ball and, once they’re ahead on the scoreboard, it’s very hard to come back.”
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