Paul O'Connell dismisses notion of Leinster bias in Ireland camp

The Ireland coach said the perception that there is a bias towards Leinster players when it comes to selection for the international squad "must be bigger than I realised".

NO BIAS: Ireland forwards Coach Paul O'Connell. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Paul O’Connell has dismissed the notion Leinster players receive preferential treatment when it comes to Ireland squad selection.

Leinster, unbeaten so far this season, dominate Ireland’s Six Nations squad with 23 players in Simon Easterby’s 36-man group currently training in Portugal. Yet the Ireland forwards coach disputed the perception there was over-representation nor were Leinster players favoured when it came to 50/50 selection decisions.