Leinster Rugby

Leinster Rugby

File:Leinster rugby badge.png
Founded	1875
Location	Dublin, Ireland
Ground(s)	RDS Arena (Capacity: 18,500) Aviva Stadium (Capacity: 51,700)
Coach(es)	Josef Schmidt
Captain(s)	Leo Cullen
League(s)	Pro 12
1st kit 2nd kit 3rd kit
Official website
www.leinsterrugby.ie

Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is one of the four professional provincial rugby teams from Ireland. They compete in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. The team represents the IRFU Leinster Branch, which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU and is responsible for rugby union throughout the province of Leinster. The province plays in blue and white and the crest is in the form of a harp. Leinster's traditional home ground was Donnybrook Stadium, in Dublin 4 although the majority of home games are now played at the RDS Arena. More important games are played in the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster turned professional along with the teams representing the other Irish provinces in 1995 and has competed in the Celtic League since it was founded in 2001, having previously competed in the annual interprovincial championship. Leinster A competes in the British and Irish Cup. Leinster has twice been Celtic League champions and three times been Heineken Cup winners.

On 19 May 2012 Leinster won an unprecedented third Heineken Cup in four years with a 42-14 drubbing of Ulster Rugby in an all-Ireland final. Leinster is currently ranked 1st place in the ERC European Rankings.

History

Amateur Days

The Leinster Branch was formed in 1879 in a meeting at 63 Grafton Street. In amateur days, the four provinces played against each other in the Interprovincial Championship and also played touring sides. The first Interprovincial matches between Leinster, Ulster and Munster were held in 1875. At this time, the matches were played with 20 players a side. Before the days of professional rugby union, there was further emphasis on Irish club rugby as opposed to the provincial game. During these times the provincial sides were purely representative sides and games were far less frequent than now. When rugby union was declared 'open' in 1995, these four teams became the four professional teams run by the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Leinster Lions

Leinster went professional in the mid 1990s. The "Leinster Lions" name came into existence during the 2001–02 season as the result of a joint marketing initiative between Leinster Rugby and its kit sponsors, the Canterbury Clothing Company. Leinster's first season in the newly formed Celtic League ended in success as the Lions were crowned the inaugural champions, beating rivals Munster Rugby in the 2001–02 final. In 2002–03, they became only the third team in the history of the Heineken Cup to win all their games in pool play. They also went one step further in the playoffs than the previous season by reaching the semis (for the first time since 1995–96), but lost at home against French side Perpignan. This was accompanied by an unsuccessful season in the Celtic League which was followed up again with a disappointing season. Before the start of the 2004–05 season it was decided to drop the 'Lions' from the name, however it is still used for marketing and branding in particular the Cubs Club for Junior members of Leinster Rugby. The Leinster mascot is "Leo the Lion".

Leo the Leinster Lion

Title Misses

Leinster did begin to creep back up the table during the 2004–05 season, finishing 3rd, just 3 points behind the eventual winners. Leinster also won all of their pool games in that year's Heineken Cup, and were again considered among the favourites for the title. However, they went out at the quarter final stage to Leicester Tigers. The next two seasons of the Celtic League were to end in heartbreak for Leinster fans as the both the 2005–06 and 2006–07 titles were lost on the final day of the season. These seasons also saw progress in the Heineken Cup. In 2005–06, Leinster progressed to the semi-final but were eliminated by Irish rivals Munster at Lansdowne Road. Leinster reached the quarter-final the following year where they were beaten by London Wasps.

The programme from the 2009 Heineken Cup Final

European & Celtic Success

The RDS Arena before the 2010 Celtic League Final.

A rise in crowd numbers for Leinster lead to a move across Dublin 4 from Donnybrook Stadium to the redeveloped RDS Arena. In 2007–08, despite failing to qualify out of their pool for the Heineken Cup, Leinster ended the season as Celtic League champions sealing the title in front of their home fans as they scored a six-try 41–8 victory over the Newport Gwent Dragons at the RDS. The following season, Leinster topped their Heineken Cup pool despite being largely written off after a poor away loss to French side Castres. Victory over Harlequins followed at the Stoop despite the Bloodgate Scandal. Leinster overcame Munster 25–6 in the semi-final having been billed as underdogs. The game, played in Dublin's Croke Park, broke the world record attendance for a "club" rugby union game with a crowd of over 82,200. The 2009 Heineken Cup Final was held in Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Leinster won the Final 19–16, beating Leicester Tigers, to claim their first European crown.

Leinster were eliminated at the semi-final stage the following year by Stade Toulousain. Leinster lost the 2010 Celtic League Final to the Ospreys.

Leinster regained their title as champions of Europe in the 2011 Heineken Cup Final. Despite trailing 22 - 6 at half time, Leinster scored three tries and 27 unanswered points in the second half to win their second European crown. The final score was 33 - 22 in which Jonathan Sexton scored 28 points.

The result also made Leinster the top ranked side in European rugby for their first time.

En route to the trophy at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Leinster won by beating the top three ranked teams of the season from the English Premiership, including the defending champions (Leicester Tigers, Saracens & Northampton Saints) and the top two French Top 14 sides, including the defending champions and also the defending European champions (Stade Toulousain, Racing Metro & Clermont Auvergne).

Current Standings

Main article: 2011-12 Leinster Rugby season

Pro12 Table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts	Qualification
1	Leinster (F)	22	18	1	3	568	326	+242	48	28	5	2	81	Play-off place
2	Ospreys (C)	22	16	1	5	491	337	+154	44	22	2	3	71
3	Munster (SF)	22	14	1	7	489	367	+122	45	27	5	4	67
4	Glasgow Warriors (SF)	22	13	4	5	445	321	+124	34	23	2	3	65
5	Scarlets	22	12	2	8	446	373	+73	43	30	5	5	62
6	Ulster	22	12	0	10	474	424	+50	53	41	5	3	56
7	Cardiff Blues	22	10	0	12	446	460	−14	43	45	5	5	50
8	Connacht	22	7	1	14	321	433	−112	27	36	0	7	37
9	Newport Gwent Dragons	22	7	1	14	370	474	−104	27	41	1	5	36
10	Benetton Treviso	22	7	0	15	419	558	−139	41	57	3	5	36
11	Edinburgh	22	6	1	15	454	588	−134	42	65	2	4	32
12	Aironi	22	4	0	18	289	551	−262	22	54	1	5	22

Updated to match(es) played on 5 May 2012. Source: RaboDirect PRO12
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. number of matches won;
2. the difference between points for and points against;
3. the number of tries scored;
4. the most points scored;
5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
6. the fewest red cards received;
7. the fewest yellow cards received.
   (C) Champions; (F) Lost in the final; (SF) Lost in the semi-finals
   Notes:

Honours

• Heineken Cup
  • Winners: 3 (2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12)

• Celtic League / Magners League / PRO12
  • Winners: 2 (2001–02, 2007–08)
  • Runners-Up: 3 (2005–06, 2009–10, 2010–11)
  • Finalist: 2011/12 (2011–12)

• Irish Inter-Provincial Championships
  • Winners: 20 (1948-49, 1949-50, 1954-55*, 1956-57*, 1958-59, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1971-72, 1972-73*, 1975-76*, 1977-78*, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83*, 1983-84, 1993-94*, 1995-96)

Bold indicates Grand Slam; * indicates shared title

Colours and Crest

The flag of the Province of Leinster

Though Leinster Rugby now compete in navy, the team wore green during the early years. The harp has long been associated with the province of Leinster and so Leinster Rugby have sported the harp since their first interprovincial game against Ulster. Though the provincial colours have changed since then, the current provincial crest remains a modernised version of this harp. Legend has it that the harp was adopted Leinster Symbol in the 17th century when Eoghan Ruadh O’Neill flew a green flag with a golden harp from his ship, the St Francis having anchored it at Dunkirk. O'Neill later returned to Ireland to help the Irish Confederation whose headquarters were in Kilkenny, Leinster. The current crest was introduced in 2005 as Leinster Rugby held no copyright on the previous crest. The new, stylised crest, is made specific to Leinster Rugby as it incorporates the harp with a rugby ball. The Leinster Rugby crest is on all official club merchandise including replica jerseys.

The province's current kit is all navy while the second kit has a light blue jersey and socks with white shorts. The third strip is made up of a white shirt and navy shorts and socks.

Stadia

RDS Arena

Main article: RDS Arena

Inside the RDS Arena.

Leinster's current home ground is the RDS Arena. Games were first played at the RDS during the 2005–06 season, initially just for Heineken Cup games. By the following season, however, all games had been moved to the RDS. The RDS has undergone large scale redevelopment since Leinster moved in. The arena now has a mostly seated capacity of 18,500. As the RDS remains a showjumping venue, the North and South stands are removable. A roof has been constructed to cover the grandstand opposite the pre-existing Anglesea stand. The RDS will be Leinster's home until 2027, as a 20 year lease was signed in 2007.

Aviva Stadium

Main article: Aviva Stadium

File:Aviva-under-lights.gif

Aviva Stadium prior to Leinster game

For more important games where the RDS does not have sufficient capacity, Leinster plays home games at the Aviva Stadium. These are often key home games in the Heineken Cup or Celtic League games against domestic rivals. In 2010 they first played a home league game against Munster, the first time the stadium sold out, and then against ASM Clermont Auvergne. Leinster defeated Leicester Tigers in the Aviva in the 2010–11 Heineken Cup quarter-finals. They then went on to beat Toulouse in the semi-finals in the Aviva on 30 April 2011.

Donnybrook Stadium

Main article: Donnybrook Stadium

Donnybrook Stadium's grandstand

Leinster's traditional home over the years has been Donnybrook Stadium in Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Donnybrook consists of a single covered stand and three sides of open terracing. A move across Dublin 4 to the RDS Arena for Leinster was needed to accommodate growing crowds. For this reason, Leinster have signed a long term lease with the Royal Dublin Society to play home games at the RDS Arena. Donnybrook has since, however, been improved as a venue with the reconstruction of the grandstand in 2008 and remains an important venue for rugby union in Dublin. Due to limited space, it is unlikely that Donnybrook will undergo further redevelopment. Leinster A play their British and Irish Cup games in the stadium and the senior team have continued to hold certain pre-season friendlies in the stadium.

Supporters

Leinster supporter at the 2010 Magners League Cup Final

Before the advent of professionalism in the Irish game, provincial rugby games were generally poorly attended. During most of the 1990s, Leinster matches regularly attracted crowds of about 500 to 2000. The decision to structure the game professionally via the provincial network through centralised player contracts and the subsequent on-field success achieved by Leinster and the other provinces resulted in a significant increase in support within a decade. Leinster had 3700 season ticket holders in 2006, double the amount of the previous season. Leinster were the best supported team in the Celtic League for both the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons and are currently the fifth best supported team in Europe after Stade Toulousain, Stade Français, Leicester Tigers and Irish rivals Munster Rugby. Leinster's supporters were named as 'Player of the Month' for April 2009 following their support in the Heineken Cup Quarter Final against Harlequins at The Stoop. Leinster's average crowd numbers have risen considerably in recent years from 3926 during the first season of the Celtic League, to the current Celtic League average of 16923. Leinster currently have roughly 12500 season ticket holders.

Leinster hold the record for the biggest Celtic League attendance. On 2 October 2010, Leinster played Munster in the 5th round of the Celtic League at the Aviva Stadium, this set a new crowd attendance record for a Celtic League game at 50645. Leinster won the match 13–9.

The last match at the old Landsdowne Road stadium was against Ulster on 31 December 2006 before it was demolished to make way for the new Aviva Stadium, earning the match the moniker of "The Last Stand". Leinster won the match 20–12, with an attendance of 48000 – a record at the time. A previous attendance record in the Celtic League was also set at Lansdowne Road, for a game between Leinster and Munster which drew a crowd of 30000. Leinster's Heineken Cup clash against Munster at Croke Park set a world record attendance for a "club" rugby union game with a crowd of 82208. The Official Leinster Supporters Club was formally established as a club in 2007.

Current squad

Position	Name	Nationality
Head & Defence Coach	Josef Schmidt	New Zealand
Forwards Coach	Jono Gibbes	New Zealand
Scrum Coach	Greg Feek	New Zealand
Skills & Kicking Coach	Richie Murphy	Ireland
Chief Executive	Mick Dawson	Ireland
Team Manager	Guy Easterby	Ireland
Team Doctor	Prof. John Ryan	Ireland
Team Doctor	Prof. Arthur Tanner	Ireland
Team Doctor	Dr. Jim McShane	Ireland
Physiotherapist	James Allen	Ireland
Physiotherapist	Garrreth Farrell	Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach	Jason Cowman	Ireland
Strength & Speed Coach	Daniel Tobin	Ireland
Rehabilitation Coach	Stephen Smith	Ireland
Chief Scout	Guy Easterby	Ireland

Current Playing Squad 2011/2012

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union Sean Cronin Hooker Ireland Richardt Strauss Hooker South Africa Aaron Dundon Hooker Ireland Tom Sexton Hooker Ireland Cian Healy Prop Ireland Heinke van der Merwe Prop South Africa Jack McGrath Prop Ireland Jack O'Connell Prop Ireland Mike Ross Prop Ireland Nathan White Prop New Zealand Jamie Hagan Prop Ireland Leo Cullen (c) Lock Ireland Brad Thorn Lock New Zealand Devin Toner Lock Ireland Damian Browne Lock Ireland Mark Flanagan Lock Ireland Sean O'Brien Flanker Ireland Kevin McLaughlin Flanker Ireland Rhys Ruddock Flanker Ireland Shane Jennings Flanker Ireland Dominic Ryan Flanker Ireland Jordi Murphy Flanker Ireland Jamie Heaslip Number 8 Ireland Leo Auva'a Number 8 Ireland

Player Position Union Eoin Reddan Scrum-half Ireland Isaac Boss Scrum-half Ireland John Cooney Scrum-half Ireland Jonathan Sexton Outside-half Ireland Ian Madigan Outside-half Ireland Matt Berquist Outside-half New Zealand Noel Reid Outside-half Ireland Gordon D'Arcy Centre Ireland Brendan Macken Centre Ireland Fergus McFadden Centre Ireland Brian O'Driscoll Centre Ireland Eoin O'Malley Centre Ireland Luke Fitzgerald Wing Ireland David Kearney Wing Ireland Fionn Carr Wing Ireland Andrew Conway Wing Ireland Rob Kearney Fullback Ireland Isa Nacewa Fullback Fiji

Bold indicates internationally capped player.

Transfers

2012/13

Players In

• Michael Bent from Hurricanes
• Tom Denton from Leeds Carnegie

Players Out

• Matt Berquist to Biarritz Olympique
• Nathan White to Connacht

2011–12

Players In

• Matt Berquist from Crusaders
• Sean Cronin from Connacht
• Jamie Hagan from Connacht
• Steven Sykes from Sharks
• Fionn Carr from Connacht
• Damian Browne from Brive
• Leo Auva'a from Old Belvedere
• Nathan White from Chiefs
• Brad Thorn from Fukuoka Sanix Blues (Loan)

Players Out

• Stan Wright to Stade Français
• Nathan Hines to Clermont Auvergne
• Paul O'Donohoe to Connacht
• Shaun Berne to Calvisano
• Niall Morris to Leicester Tigers
• Stephen Keogh to Shannon
• Michael Keating to Doncaster Knights
• Stewart Maguire to Connacht
• Jason Harris-Wright to Bristol Rugby
• Cillian Willis to Sale Sharks
• Ed O'Donoghue to Narbonne
• Eoin Sheriff to Saracens
• Michael Kearney to Connacht
• David Mcsharry to Connacht
• Shane Horgan (retired in March 2012 due to injury; did not play in 2011–12)
• Steven Sykes to Sharks

Notable players

See also Category:Leinster Rugby players

British and Irish Lions from Ireland

The following Leinster players, in addition to representing Ireland, have also represented the British and Irish Lions.

Tom Crean: 1896 Karl Mullen: 1950 Robin Roe: 1955 Tony O'Reilly: 1955, 1959 Ronnie Dawson: 1959, 1968 Mike Hipwell: 1971 Sean Lynch: 1971 Fergus Slattery: 1971, 1974 Tom Grace:1974

John Moloney: 1974 Willie Duggan: 1977 Philip Orr: 1977, 1980 Rodney O'Donnell: 1980 John Robbie: 1980 Tony Ward: 1980 Ollie Campbell: 1980, 1983 Hugo MacNeill: 1983 Paul Dean: 1989

Brendan Mullin: 1989 Vince Cunningham: 1993 Eric Miller: 1997 Malcolm O'Kelly: 2001, 2005 Brian O'Driscoll: 2001, 2005, 2009 Shane Byrne: 2005 Gordon D'Arcy: 2005, 2009 Denis Hickie: 2005 Shane Horgan: 2005

Rob Kearney: 2009 Luke Fitzgerald: 2009 Jamie Heaslip: 2009

British and Irish Lions from Other Nations

The following Leinster players, in addition to representing their national team, have also represented the British and Irish Lions.

• Nathan Hines: 2009

Notable former overseas players

Felipe Contepomi Mariano Galarza

Rocky Elsom Chris Whitaker* Owen Finegan* Shaun Berne Nathan Spooner Ben Gissing

Brad Thorn* David Holwell Cameron Jowitt Bryce Williams Nathan White Stan Wright

CJ van der Linde* Ollie le Roux Harry Vermaas

Will Green Adam Byrnes Vasily Artemiev Nathan Hines

* = World Cup Winners

Personnel Honours & Records

ERC Elite Awards

• Team Award (50 Heineken Cup matches): Leinster Rugby (106)

Player Awards

• 50 Caps: Shane Horgan (87), Gordon D'Arcy (83), Leo Cullen (78), Brian O'Driscoll (75), Malcolm O'Kelly (74), Girvan Dempsey (68), Shane Byrne (61), Reggie Corrigan (61), Shane Jennings (58), Trevor Brennan (57), Victor Costello (57), Denis Hickie (54), Eric Miller (52); Nathan Hines (61 total, 17 for Leinster)
• 25 Tries: Brian O'Driscoll (30), Shane Horgan (27)

(Correct as of 28 March 2012)

ERC European Player of the Year

2011 - Sean O'Brien 2012 - Rob Kearney

ERC European Dream Team

The following Leinster players were selected in the ERC European Dream Team, an all-time dream team of Heineken Cup players.

• Rocky Elsom (Flanker), 2008–2009
• Brian O'Driscoll (Centre), 1999–present

Elsom had the fewest Heineken Cup appearances in the team and was the only member born outside of Europe. Both players were part of the 2008-09 Heineken Cup winning team.

Celtic League Team of the Year

• 2006–07: Felipe Contepomi, Gordon D'Arcy, Denis Hickie, Jamie Heaslip
• 2007–08: Felipe Contepomi, Leo Cullen, Jamie Heaslip, Bernard Jackman, Ollie Le Roux, Malcolm O'Kelly, Stan Wright
• 2008–09: Rocky Elsom, Jamie Heaslip, Brian O'Driscoll
• 2009–10: Leo Cullen, Jamie Heaslip, Brian O'Driscoll
• 2010–11: Jamie Heaslip, Isa Nacewa, Sean O'Brien, Mike Ross, Richardt Strauss

Individual Records

Heineken Cup

• Most Appearances: (87) Shane Horgan
• Most Points: (338) Felipe Contepomi
• Most Tries: (30) Brian O'Driscoll
• Most Cons & Pens: (269) Felipe Contepomi

(correct as of 28 March 2012)

Celtic League

• Most Appearances:(98) Shane Horgan
• Most Points: (877) Felipe Contepomi
• Most Tries:(38) Shane Horgan
• Most Cons & Pens: (302) Felipe Contepomi

Bold indicates highest overall League record. (correct as of 24 May 2011).

Other Records & Trivia

• Leinster are the only ever team to win the Heineken Cup unbeaten in its current format. (Home and away pools & knockouts)
• Leinster hold the longest unbeaten run in Heineken Cup history, which currently stands at 15 games. (December 2010 to present)
• Leinster are the first team to win three Heineken Cups in four years. (2009, 2011 & 2012)
• Leinster are only the second team ever to retain the Heineken Cup trophy. (2011 & 2012 - previously achieved by Leicester Tigers 2001 & 2002)
• Leinster currently hold the highest ever ERC European Ranking points. (40 points)
• Leinster hold the record for longest consecutive period as the top ranked team in Europe. (3 seasons minimum - 2011, 2012 & 2013)
• Leinster hold the second most European titles (3 titles, one behind Stade Toulouse)
• Leinster are the only team to reach every PRO12 final (3 - 2010, 2011, 2012)
• Leinster scored the most points ever in a Heineken Cup final (42 - vs Ulster)
• Leinster achieved the highest ever winning margin in a Heineken Cup final (2012 vs Ulster - won by 28 points)
• Leinster v Ulster was the highest attended Heineken Cup final ever (81,774)
• Leinster set the record for biggest ever points defecit comeback in a Heinken Cup final. (vs Northampton Saints - trailed by 16 points)
• Johnny Sexton has the second highest single points tally scored in a Heinken Cup final (28 points vs Northampton Saints)

See also

• Pro 12
• Heineken Cup
• Irish Rugby Football Union

External links

• Official site
• Leinster Supporters Site and Forum
• Leinster Rugby feature on The Irish Times
• Unofficial Leinster Calendar & Results