O’Connor looking for more than just a centre to replace iconic No 13
Fresh from a successful defence of their RaboDirect Pro12 title courtesy of a 34-12 final win over Glasgow at the RDS on Saturday night, O’Connor must find a successor to the now retired O’Driscoll, whose illustrious career came to an end just nine minutes into the Dublin decider.
O’Connor has been linked with a move for Ulster’s soon-to-be Irish-qualified Jared Payne while Gordon D’Arcy was excellent filling in for long-time midfield partner O’Driscoll on Saturday, Zane Kirchner has expressed his desire to wear the No 13 jersey and Leinster also have Ian Madigan and Noel Reid, amongst others, capable of playing there.
“We’re looking at options all the time, it’s important we get the fit right culturally,” O’Connor said. “It’s an important slot, the No 13 jersey has been an iconic jersey for Leinster for a long time.
“We need to make sure we get the fit right and as soon as we have got that slotted, if that’s an outside body, you’ll be the first to know.”
O’Connor played down the link with Payne, pointing out the versatile back’s contract with Ulster runs to June 2016 but of his options inside the Leinster fold he started with D’Arcy, who played 71 minutes and scored the fourth and final try against Glasgow.
“He’s a good 13 for us, he understands it very, very well and the reality is when you’ve got guys like Noel Reid and Ian Madigan who can play there for you, that’s a definite reality for us.”
As for Springbok Kirchner’s stated wish to “bang on” O’Connor’s door for a chance at 13 next season, the head coach said: “We’ve got an open door policy, he won’t have to bang too hard. If he wants to play 13 we’ll stick him in and see how he goes.
“I would be loathe to take him out of the back three because he is that good and the bigger the game, the bigger the stakes, the better Zane Kirchner has been for us this year.
“He’s an amazing footballer... he’s been incredible for us and he’ll be better for us next season, like all of them will because we’ll have more time together as a group and will be able to build on the systems and structures that we’ve got and there’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll be a lot better footy side in 12 months’ time.”
Man of the match Sean Cronin, who will undergo shoulder surgery to repair a tear in his labrum, paid tribute to O’Connor’s sometimes criticised stewardship since replacing Joe Schmidt last summer.
“I’m delighted for Matt because he’s put a great plan in place all season,” Cronin said. “We didn’t play well against Toulon, we shipped too many missed tackles, but I think since he’s come in Matt has driven a great system. We saw today that once we get it right...he’s put everything in place.”
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