All eyes on O'Driscoll despite new recruits at Leinster
In the third of the provincial season previews, our rugby correspondent, Daniel Pitcher offers an insight into Leinster. His final preview comes tomorrow when he looks at Munster.
A new era begins at Leinster Rugby this season with a new coach and new players bidding to take the Pro 12 and Amlin Cup champions forward into the future. It is also the last season for arguably the greatest player this country has ever produced.
It’s certainly been a time of transition off the pitch at the province. Jonathan Sexton moved on to the French Top Fourteen, joining Paris side Racing Metro, Isa Nacewa hung up his boots and moved home with his family and not to forget, Joe Schmidt replaced Declan Kidney as Ireland head coach.
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With all of that movement the question is, can the three-time Heineken Cup champions maintain their level of success under new coach Matt O’Connor?
O’Connor played most of his club rugby in Canberra with ACT, followed by a stint at the Brumbies. O’Connor’s one and only international cap came for Australia against Ireland. He also coached in the Super League and spent three seasons firstly playing and then coaching in Japan.
He later spent four years with the Brumbies when he returned to his native home while also coaching Australia A.
In 2009 he joined English Premiership side Leicester Tigers under then coach Heyneke Meyer and discovered how good Leisnter are when they beat the Tigers in the Heineken Cup final that year.
He was named Head Coach in 2010 and has led the club to successive Runners Up positions in the Premiership.
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There is no doubt that O’Connor has an eye for talent which showed with the signing of Jimmy Gopperth.
He has played four seasons with the Hurricanes, alongside World Cup winners such as Andrew Hore, Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu.
The New Plymouth native arrives at Leinster following a four-year stint with Newcastle Falcons.
Faced with the daunting task of replacing Jonny Wilkinson, the Kiwi jumped right in and became a key playmaker as well as a points accumulator off the kicking tee. In his first season in England, Gopperth contributed 293 points, in 29 games, for his new club.
The outhalf should provide a reliable and attacking option for Leinster. His signing could also be the right kick for Ian Madigan who was tipped to become first choice number ten when Sexton left.
Also making his debut for Leinster this season will be Irish international Mike McCarthy. Twelve times capped for his country he makes his way east of the country from Connacht.
Mike was part of an immense team effort that saw Connacht achieve their first ever Heineken Cup win, against old rivals Harlequins, in January 2012. Further victories arrived last season against Biarritz and Aironi.
The player to watch though, because of the season that’s in it will no doubt be Brian O’Driscoll. The Irish legend confirmed on radio this week that at the end of this season he wont even consider a contract extension.
Over the course of the season both in the Pro 12 and Heineken Cup, its widely expected that ‘BOD’ will become a member of the ‘200’ club. Before the season starts he has made 172 appearances in a Leinster jersey and clocked up an impressive 301 points.
In pre-season, Leinster lost their two games to Ulster and Northampton, but it’s often said you learn very little in those games so the squad will be eager for action this weekend as they tackle the Scarlets away from home tomorrow.
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