Cheika fined for outburst

Coach Michael Cheika has been fined by his Leinster employers for an ugly outburst directed at referee Simon McDowell at the Leinster-Munster Magners league clash earlier this month.

McDowell's report revealed that Cheika made an aggressive approach and verbal attack on the official.

The incident has led to a new protocol for dealing with match officials and the situation has been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of all.

Cheika will be free to prepare Leinster for their forthcoming Heineken Cup match with Gloucester on Saturday.

Leinster hooker Brian Blaney will appear before an IRFU disciplinary hearing tomorrow night at 6pm to account for his actions as the teams left the field at half-time where he was clearly on video seen remonstrating with the referee.