Jimmy Gopperth: Games like this the reason I came to Leinster

For two years Leinster supporters, media and pundits have argued over Matt O’Connor’s preference for Jimmy Gopperth over Ian Madigan at out-half, but the time for that debate has finally run its course.

Jonathan Sexton will reclaim his seat in the team’ cockpit after the upcoming World Cup with Ireland, Gopperth will be back in England — this time with Wasps rather than Newcastle — and Madigan once again will have to flit between 10 and 12.

Come November, then, it will almost be like these last two seasons didn’t happen, but Gopperth remains the man in situ for now. He is the one who will be plotting the course for Leinster against Toulon in Sunday’s Champions Cup semi-final.

The flying analogy could go on forever given the turbulence experienced on and off the pitch in terms of performances — individual and collective — and the resultant criticisms, but credit to Gopperth who has never sought to don the flak jacket.

A decent bloke who has carried himself admirably throughout his time in Dublin, the Kiwi now has one last shot to steer the province back into the sort of realm that many would deem to be unlikely given their patchy form and unconvincing displays.

He’s not playing down its personal significance.

“It means a lot, you know? This is why I came to Leinster, to have the opportunity to win big trophies. If I get the opportunity this week then I’ll be putting my body on the line and giving everything I’ve got. Everyone wants to play in that final on May 2 in Twickenham.”

That appears unlikely given events in Rodney Parade on Sunday when Leinster spilled a 22-8 lead and ended up with a loss to the Dragons that has all but choked the last breath of air from their PRO12 play-off ambitions.

It hurt. He admits as much, but insists that the debilitating effects from that wound and the side’s patchy form this last two months was staunched as soon as the squad reassembled to prepare for the week ahead in Europe.

How can they say any differently?

The concern is that performances and results like last weekend have proliferated this season and last with the convincing Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat in Toulon 13 months ago the most high-profile of a worrying trend.

“Looking back at the footage of that game we were disappointed. There was a lot of opportunities we left out there. We didn’t play well and yet 60-odd minutes in we were still in touch with them.

“So, we are going to take a lot of lessons from that game and a lot of positives, but we are going down to their patch and they are probably the best team in the world at the moment.

“It’s going to be a hell of a task but we will give it every shot.”

Two lessons stand out for him: Leinster’s failure to stop runners such as Matthieu Bastareaud with first-up tackles and the need for the visitors to respect the ball when they have it at Stade Velodrome this weekend.

More ambition should be a prerequisite.

His future employers showed what damage can be done in the last eight even if Wasps ultimately fell short against a side which Gopperth literally could not rate any higher. The “best team in the world” he called them this week.

“It’s probably the most talked-about team in the world. They have some class internationals and they could put out a second15 and still fill it with international players.

“The experience is there and they seem to be enjoying it. They are down in the south of France there loving life and their rugby and when you are enjoying your rugby with the talent they have then you have a formidable force.”