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Munster 19 v 9 Leinster

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via leinsterrugby.ie

Leinster fell to a 10-point defeat to Munster in their final match of the season, missing out on a potential Magners League and Heineken Cup double...

Leinster had their periods of dominance in the league decider at Thomond Park, but their failure to convert pressure into points came back to haunt them in the end.

Jonathan Sexton kicked three penalties from four attempts for the visitors, while Sean O'Brien, Richardt Strauss, Fergus McFadden, Kevin McLaughlin and Nathan Hines all went close to scoring tries.

Munster managed to soak up the pressure in both halves and keep their try-line intact, with Doug Howlett's 12th-minute touchdown setting them on the way to their second Magners League title in three years.

Joe Schmidt's men travelled to Limerick in buoyant mood, just seven days after their heroic Heineken Cup final victory over Northampton Saints.

Gordon D'Arcy's ankle injury saw McFadden join Brian O'Driscoll in the centre for Leinster, who reintroduced Heinke van der Merwe and Shane Jennings in the pack.

It was a win apiece earlier in the campaign - Leinster were 13-9 winners at the Aviva Stadium and a Ronan O'Gara-inspired Munster claimed a 24-23 triumph in Limerick last month - and there was a typically bruising opening to the grand final.

Sexton miscued a long range penalty with the wind behind him, six minutes in, and although Leinster won a series of early turnovers, Munster were first on the scoreboard.

The Munster pack laid the groundwork before Lifeimi Mafi got away from Eoin Reddan and laid the ball off for former All Black Howlett to score in the corner.

O'Gara read the wind superbly to stab the conversion over, rewarding his forwards for a solid start. Paul O'Connell and man-of-the-match David Wallace were both to the fore, the latter keen to impress in his 200th outing for Munster.

The turnover rate was high as the sides scrapped for every ball, with O'Brien, Jennings and Jamie Heaslip putting their bodies on the line. Leinster patiently worked themselves into the game amid a series of attacks from deep.

One such counter led to a cynical shoulder charge by Marcus Horan on O'Driscoll which was missed by the match officials. However, a subsequent scrum infringement saw Sexton convert his first penalty goal from a central position.

There was little to chose between the sides coming up to half-time and given the balance of play, Leinster would have been pleased to go in just 7-3 behind at the break.

A sparkling run and pass from O'Driscoll got Leinster immediately into scoring range early in the second half. Their forwards battered away at Munster's defensive line until Donncha O'Callaghan was sin-binned for not rolling away in front of his posts.

Sexton took the three points on offer and Munster staved off Leinster's next assault on their line - Strauss, who almost got over from a lineout move, and McFadden, tackled brilliantly by Wallace and James Coughlan, were both thwarted.

A looping pass from Sexton was mishandled by McFadden as Munster were caught for numbers out wide, but the Leinster out-half was successful with a right-sided penalty soon after for a 9-7 lead.

With just 20 minutes remaining, it was anybody's game. After such an absorbing game in Cardiff last Saturday, tiredness seemed to become a factor for the men in blue as Munster got on the front foot again.

They barged back to within metres of the Leinster line, a thunderous tackle from Luke Fitzgerald knocking Howlett to the ground just when a try looked on.

But Munster turned the screw when O'Gara lofted a cross-field kick over to Earls who avoided Isa Nacewa's initial challenge and scored despite the best efforts of Shane Horgan and O'Driscoll.

O'Gara was narrowly wide with the conversion and watched his 48-metre penalty miss the target, with nine minutes remaining.

However, Leinster's hopes were extinguished by the concession of a third try. Munster drove them back in two successive scrums close to their line and referee Nigel Owens signalled for a penalty try after the second one.

O'Gara's conversion took the lead to 10 points and although the game was now beyond them, Leinster, with the departing Paul O'Donohoe now on the pitch, were inches away from grabbing an injury-time try. Kevin McLaughlin and Nathan Hines both went close in the dying minutes.

MUNSTER SCORERS: D. Howlett (1 try), K. Earls (1 try), Penalty try, R. O'Gara (2 conversions)

LEINSTER SCORERS: J. Sexton (3 penalties)

MUNSTER: F Jones; D Howlett, D Barnes, L Mafi, K Earls; R O'Gara, C Murray; M Horan, D Varley, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell CAPTAIN, D Ryan, D Wallace, J Coughlan

REPLACEMENTS: M Sherry, W du Preez, S Archer, D Leamy, N Ronan, P Stringer, P Warwick, J Murphy

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan (Paul O'Donohoe, 77)

1: Heinke van der Merwe (Cian Healy, 59)
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross (Stan Wright, 71)
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Nathan Hines
6: Sean O'Brien (Kevin McLaughlin, 59)
7: Shane Jennings (Aaron Dundon, 71)
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS NOT USED: Devin Toner, Ian Madigan, Eoin O'Malley

REFEREE: Nigel Owens (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Tim Hayes, David Jones (both WRU), 4th OFFICIAL: Alan Rogan (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Trevor Collins (IRFU), TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)

via leinsterrugby.ie

Magners League Grand final: Who dares wins

BASKING in the glory of last weekend's remarkable triumph, the jokes have been flying around Leinster this week ahead of this evening's Magners League Grand Final clash with Munster at a sold-out Thomond Park (5.05).

One particularly cruel one involved the Drug Squad being called to Thomond Park yesterday only for the crisis to be averted when it was established that the suspicious white powder on the pitch was in fact the Leinster tryline.

The most remarkable statistic heading into this latest instalment in one of the most compelling rivalries in rugby is that Munster have not managed to cross the Leinster line in their last six meetings, failing to score a try since Denis Fogarty managed the feat back in April 2009. Not to be sniffed at.

It is rendered all the more puzzling by Munster's average of two tries per game during their regular season league campaign (44 in 22 matches) as they worked their way impressively to a record 13-point margin at the head of the table.

Leinster's defensive surety has been the bedrock upon which this season's success has been constructed, with last Saturday's three-try collapse in the first half of the Heineken Cup final against Northampton an aberration, swiftly put to bed in the second half when they did not concede a single point.

However, those events could provide a clue as to how things will unfold in Limerick a week later. Northampton profited from Leinster not being at the races in that first period, seemingly unnerved by the big-day pressure and their status as overwhelming favourites. They take to the pitch today as the stronger side seeking to become the first team to complete a Magners-Heineken double.

The question marks centre on their psychological state for, no matter how hard they try to maintain their mental focus for the final chapter of a long season, getting to the same level of intensity they had in the second half against Northampton is a major challenge. Cardiff is a hard act to follow.

For Munster, the psychological test is far simpler. Conclude the season with a trophy which recognises both their league consistency and determination to remain a major force in European rugby regardless of their Heineken and Challenge Cup disappointments this season.

It is safe to assume that, with two weeks of solitary focus behind them, Tony McGahan's men will be at full tilt this evening, just as they were when willpower drove them to victory in their April meeting with Leinster at the same venue.

The problem is that, even if Leinster are at 75pc, the visitors still have the capacity to produce spells of rugby that can leave any team clutching at air and, in keeping with his selections all season, Joe Schmidt has picked a clever side for his last outing in a stunning debut season.

Gordon D'Arcy was not available to start in any case, but Fergus McFadden's selection at inside-centre provides him with the ideal opportunity to send out a powerful message to Ireland coach Declan Kidney as the clock ticks down to the World Cup.

Similarly, Shane Jennings is rewarded for his critical contributions to Leinster's victories in the semi-final and final of the Heineken Cup and if he manages to help effect superiority at the breakdown against Ireland's incumbent No 7, David Wallace, it will give Kidney further food for thought.

Heinke van der Merwe is of no use to Kidney, but, while the South African is not as dynamic as Cian Healy in the loose, he is an accomplished scrummager and his performance could provide an insight to John Hayes' capacity to play a role at New Zealand 2011.

McGahan has stuck with the side that ground its way past the Ospreys in the semi-final, which means Danny Barnes, the two-try hero that day, suddenly finds himself marking Brian O'Driscoll, the best centre of his generation.

Barnes and Lifeimi Mafi face a massive defensive test against the Leinster midfield and the tackles need to go in hard and, in Mafi's case, low enough to prevent yellow cards.

There is talent in the Munster backline, and the back-three play since the return of Felix Jones from injury has shown what can be done with the right combination of belief and attacking brio.

However, Schmidt is among the foremost backline innovators in the game and Munster do not have his coaching equivalent, making it harder to end the try-scoring famine that has hindered them in this fixture.

If Marcus Horan and Hayes can provide a steady scrum and Damien Varley takes advantage of Munster's extra height at line-out time, then it is game on.

The Final Trial element to the clash provides extra incentive for both teams and, if McFadden and Jennings will be bulling for Leinster, then it is safe to say Wallace, James Coughlan, Donnacha Ryan, Conor Murray and Jones will be equally ferocious for the hosts.

Then there is the Ronan O'Gara factor. The out-half will have watched Jonathan Sexton's tour de force in Cardiff with a wry smile for it used to be O'Gara doing the Roy Of the Rovers bit in the Heineken Cup (he was voted the best player of the first 15 years of the competition) and garnering the plaudits afterwards.

Predictions are hazardous in the extreme. Leinster are the better side, but face the greater mental challenge, Munster have last-chance-saloon intensity and a stronger bench, but not the capacity to cope if Schmidt's men hit battle speed.

Expect a furious contest, O'Gara and Coughlan to play key roles for the home side, along with McFadden and Jennings for the guests and very little in it come the final whistle, which may just herald a narrow Leinster win.

Of course, if Munster do manage it, the joke is on Leinster's fans as their red counterparts can revel in the glory of beating the best team in Europe. We'll see.

Verdict: Leinster

- Hugh Farrelly

Irish Independent

via independent.ie

Perfect stage for cullen to show world Cup worth

If you could have scripted a fixture to crown the season, this would most definitely have been it. And if anyone out there thinks that there is a single member of the new European champions dreading the trek to Limerick, then think again.

They could well lose this afternoon, but every single Leinster player will be licking his lips at the prospect of this Magners League Grand Final showdown at Thomond Park.

This is tribal rivalry at its very best -- a fixture where form is meaningless, where passion rules.

For Tony McGahan and Munster, it is a heaven-sent opportunity to turn over the top team in Europe and take the Magners League crown they clearly deserve, given that they finished 13 points clear in the table.

For Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, opportunity knocks to create history and complete the fairytale double in his first season in charge.

And then there is Ireland coach Declan Kidney, for whom the most perfect unofficial final trial unfolds before a full house, with a no-holds-barred encounter set to shed light on some World Cup selections.

Schmidt is right when he calls the Celtic final a much "tougher test" than the Heineken Cup decider. That is no slight on Northampton, just a statement of fact, given the ingredients.

Jealous

Munster are fresh, hungry and jealous -- as well as high on confidence, given their one-point win (24-23) in the home league fixture six weeks ago.

The fact that they didn't score a try and haven't in half a dozen attempts against their old rivals (an extraordinary statistic) may rankle, but they won't care a jot if Ronan O'Gara kicks them to victory this evening.

The Heineken Cup final was a classic, the best I have witnessed, but this evening's Celtic encounter also has all the right ingredients for a monumental encounter. It should replicate Cardiff for thrills and spills, with an intensity that is absolutely guaranteed.

The one-try game back in April was pure theatre and, irrespective of the outcome, I would settle for that again. One way or the other, we won't be disappointed -- take that as read.

So, what exactly can we expect?

A Leinster side that wants to win is coming to Limerick with the intention of ransacking a Munster side that has to win. With 19 victories from 22 games in the regular league, the best team over the course of the marathon campaign is desperate to complete the job now.

I have mixed views on the play-off formula. When it was first introduced to the All-Ireland League, I felt it was unfair that the team that had proven it was the best, by finishing top of the table, had to win it again -- to be sure, to be sure.

The play-off system is now part and parcel of the professional game. It is not so much a necessary evil as an extension to the long-term planning when the initial team goals are set.

To draw comparison with long-distance running, it's about pacing, about planning for the season and selecting teams throughout the campaign (in regular league and play-offs) accordingly.

What is beyond dispute is that the two best teams in the competition by a mile (those finishing first and second in the table) have made it through to today's finale, with Munster deserving of home advantage.

The attendance would have been doubled if the final had been switched to the Aviva Stadium, but that would have been unfair in the extreme -- unless the decision is made that the Grand Final should always be held in a predetermined venue (much like the Heineken).

We won't bother going through all the obvious unit and individual match-ups -- they are old hat at this stage. But, for some, the stakes are extremely high, given the switch in focus after today to New Zealand 2011.

Marcus Horan, Damien Varley, James Coughlan and Felix Jones all have a chance to lay down a World Cup marker.

For Leinster captain Leo Cullen, the stage is set to take on Donncha O'Callaghan and make it a case of either/or to partner Paul O'Connell in the second-row against the US Eagles in the World Cup opener.

Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald and Fergus McFadden (who edges closer by the game) can all further their case for a place on the plane. So, too, Shane Jennings, whose half-time introduction at the Millennium Stadium last week certainly played a part in Leinster's remarkable turnaround.

He and Denis Leamy have so much to play for beyond the 'mere' result this afternoon. But make no mistake, the result is the be all and end all to putting the cap on this fulfilling Irish rugby season.

And please may we be spared the hype of heaping more pressure on the relatively young shoulders of Jonathan Sexton in advocating him for future captaincy.

He has enough on his plate, as O'Gara will be reminding him again, without this pressure at a still premature stage in his burgeoning career. In a sense, current Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll did him few favours with his throwaway line in the post-match interview last week about half-time speakers.

Sexton's focus is on copper-fastening his hold on the Ireland No 10 jersey and that's what he will do in ensuring a steady Leinster course by deeds not words today. It is his way and I doubt he will deviate one iota.

As to the outcome? Both teams will turn up with equal mindsets. If each delivers to form, then Leinster's greater creativity could see them home.

It should be something special. Bring it on.

- Tony Ward

Irish Independent

via independent.ie

O'Driscoll, Heaslip And Sexton Agree New Contracts

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Brian O'Driscoll will continue a career that began in Ireland in 1999 by remaining with Leinster until the end of the 2012/13 season.

Jonathan Sexton will also remain in Ireland with Leinster having agreed a new contract up until June 2013, with Jamie Heaslip, who has played number 8 for Leinster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions in his career to date, now contracted up until June 2014.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: "This is exceptionally good news for Ireland and Leinster to be making the announcement that Brian, Jamie and Jonathan have agreed new contracts to continue playing here in Ireland.

"I believe that they have made the right choice for everybody concerned and would like to express my delight at each of them making this commitment.

"They have shown that their desire to continue their careers in Ireland and play for Leinster was the strongest factor in making their decision.

"While being equally delighted at both Jamie and Jonathan's decision to sign new contracts, I feel I do need to make a special mention about Brian.

"He has shown unwavering professionalism and commitment to Irish and Leinster rugby throughout his career and is also the perfect example to all young players, showing how the Irish system provides support for natural talent and can have a positive influence on their development and potential by remaining playing here in Ireland."

O'Driscoll himself said: "Playing in Ireland with Leinster for my entire career has been all the more enjoyable knowing that my rugby goals I have achieved to date were with an organisation that has really grown at the same time as me over the last ten years.

"Leinster and Irish rugby has progressed so far during that time that winning Magners Leagues, Heineken Cups and Grand Slams was infinitely more satisfying knowing that it was done playing in Ireland with my home province.

"I also feel that my potential to reach those goals was best served by staying in Ireland where as players, we are so well looked after and I think it has enhanced and prolonged my career and is something that the younger players can really benefit from."

He added: "My appetite to achieve more with Leinster and Ireland certainly has not been dampened by our recent success.

"While I have been in Leinster over eleven years, it is great to see the next generation coming through and I am a little jealous as they have the chance to experience even more success then I have had.

"I am looking forward to the start of the Six Nations, and after that I can focus on those other long term goals with Ireland and Leinster over the next two years."

Jamie Heaslip said: "I am pleased to have agreed a new contract and to commit myself to Leinster for a further three years. I have been fortunate to enjoy some great success already in my career and I want to achieve more with Leinster and Ireland in the years ahead.

"There is tremendous competition for places at both provincial and national level which augurs well for the future. Now that I am going to be part of that I just want to concentrate on getting over my injury and getting back on the pitch for Ireland as soon as possible."

Jonathan Sexton said: "There is something special building in Leinster at the moment and as well as the involvement with Ireland in a World Cup year, that was the main influence on my decision.

"It has been great to get my contract finalised ahead of what is going to be a pretty exciting and challenging period for the Ireland squad and now I just want to focus on playing the best rugby that I can and hopefully contributing to further success with Ireland and Leinster."

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney said: "I think that Brian, Jamie and Jonathan agreeing new contracts is great news as all three players have key roles to play for province and country.

"The benefit to the Irish team to have these players remaining here in Ireland cannot be understated and I am delighted to see that they have made this commitment."

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt added: "It's a great boost to finally secure the contract extensions of Brian, Jamie and Johnny.

"They have been key players in the province's recent success and they offer genuine leadership, talent and experience as we strive toward further success.

"Being of genuine Leinster stock, it's great to have three such pivotal players join with a number of other players who have recently extended their contracts, reaffirming that loyalty amongst Irish players can still outweigh lucrative overseas offers. For the province, our sponsors and supporters it offers great stability going forward."

via irishrugby.ie

 

Leinster secure home quarter-final

Sean O Brien leinster v racing metro

Sean O'Brien: Man-of-the-match performance for Leinster

Leinster showed their title credentials by smashing Racing Metro 36-11 on Friday, securing a crucial home quarter-final in the process.

The Irish side had already won Pool 2, but needed a fifth victory to guarantee a knock-out tie in Dublin and they duly secured it thanks to five tries.

That took their tally in six pool games to 21 tries and on this form the 2009 champions look to have every chance of regaining their crown.

Leinster looked dangerous every time they had possession in the Metro half and five tries was probably the least they deserved.

Their lines of attack, support play and perhaps most crucially their patience all proved too much for a Racing side which had previously lost just once at home in the last 12 months.

Juan Martin Hernandez put Metro ahead with an early penalty but after the Argentinian failed to find touch with a penalty, Leinster pounced.

After a spell of sustained pressure, Jonathan Sexton and Shane Horgan shipped the ball out wide and Isa Nacewa was in at the corner.

Hernandez missed a penalty on 13 minutes but from the re-start, Racing scored a try almost from nowhere, teenager Virimi Vakatawa collecting the drop-out and running through three tackles down the right touchline to score.

But that was the high point for the hosts. Moments later they tried to run out of their own 22, lost possession and Isaac Boss sent Sean O'Brien storming through by the posts.

O'Brien should have scored or set up a second try only to knock on five yards out, but it proved of no consequence as less than a minute later more brilliant handling put Sexton over.

An Hernandez penalty cut the deficit to 10 points at the break but a comeback never looked likely.

Sexton's penalty stretched the lead and just past the hour mark more clinical and patient build-up work saw Nacewa put Sexton in for his second try.

It only remained for birthday boy Brian O'Driscoll to get in on the act and he duly did 10 minutes from time, bursting through with a trademark darting run.

The scorers:

For Racing Metro:
Try: Vakatawa
Pens: Hernandez 2

 

For Leinster:
Tries: Nacewa, O'Brien, O'Driscoll, Sexton 2
Cons: Sexton 4
Pen: Sexton

 

Racing-Métro: 15 Dan Scarbrough, 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Julien Saubade, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Nicolas Durand, 8 Alvaro Galindo, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Remi Vaquiin, 5 Francois van der Merwe, 4 Santiago Dellape, 3 Scott Zimmermann, 2 Gregory Arganese, 1 Julien Brugnaut.
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Noirot, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18 Benjamin Sa, 19 Lionel Nallet, 20 Mathieu Loree, 21 François Steyn, 22 Jacques Cronje, 23 Antoine Batut.

 

Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Sean O'Brien, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen (c), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Clint Newland, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Dominic Ryan, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Eoin O'Malley / Ian Madigan, 23 Fergus McFadden.

 

Referee: Greg Garner

via planetrugby.com

 

O'Driscoll: Wales should not look to Henson

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via espnscrum.com

Brian O'Driscoll does not believe that Gavin Henson has done enough to warrant a recall to the Wales squad for the Six Nations.

The Ireland centre faced off against his erstwhile British & Irish Lions team-mate as Leinster cruised past Saracens in the Heineken Cup last weekend, a game that saw Henson pick up a calf injury and a three-week lay-off.

He will miss Wales' tournament opener against England should he win a call-up, a move that O'Driscoll does not believe is necessary given the midfield options available to Warren Gatland.

"No-one should be selected on reputation alone so you can't just walk straight back into international rugby, especially after so long out," O'Driscoll told The Western Mail.

"Wales may have lost Andrew Bishop but they have guys like Jamie Roberts, James Hook and Tom Shanklin still available while Jon Davies has also come back from injury and played well. So there's already a lot of competition."

O'Driscoll praised Henson's performance at the RDS but again underlined the task ahead of the former Ospreys star if he is to influence Wales' World Cup plans.

"It's good for the game that someone like Gavin is back involved and he played well," he said. "He looked sharp and picked some great lines of running before he went off with the injury.

"But when it comes to being selected for the Wales squad for the Six Nations, I don't know about that, whether he's injured or not. Centre is an area where Wales have a wealth of talent and experience."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd

Eleven changes for Ireland

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via magnersleague.com

Leinster's Devin Toner will win his first senior cap as he packs down in the second row alongside the experienced Donncha O'Callaghan.

Ireland have selected an all new front row with Tom Court, Sean Cronin and John Hayes selected to start.


Denis Leamy and Sean O'Brien are called into the back row to play alongside Jamie Heaslip who retains the number 8 jersey.

Luke Fitzgerald makes the switch from wing to full-back, with Andrew Trimble coming into the vacant left wing position.

Paddy Wallace also comes into the team at inside centre to partner captain Brian O'Driscoll, and Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer, both used as replacements against South Africa, will form the starting half-back combination.

"I'm delighted to be selected...over the moon. I'm just excited now and can't wait for the game," said Toner

"I found out yesterday when the team was announced. I wasn't told beforehand, so I got a bit of a shock.

"I've been involved in Irish squads before. You're always kind of hoping to get selected. When I saw the four games for this series, I was hopeful (of getting a first cap).

"I'm very pleased to get the call and just looking forward to playing now."

The replacements bench will be finalised after training on Thursday.

IRELAND Team:
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Sean O'Brien (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster).

via magnersleague.com

D'Arcy keen to bully Boks

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Meeting fire with fire: D'Arcy

Gordon D'Arcy has warned South Africa that Ireland will be doing the bullying at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

 

The Irish are hoping to avoid a fourth successive Test defeat in the opening fixture of their gruelling four-match autumn schedule.

South Africa are famed for their muscular approach but D'Arcy, who will be winning his 50th cap, insists Ireland will not be cowed.

"We're not really looking at them as the world champions," he said.

"We are looking at them as South Africa. A physical, physical, physical team.

"Not as the world champions, but as a massive team that are coming to bully you in your own back yard.

"There's a bit of an adjustment in your mentality. You know you are meeting fire with fire.

"The only way to face these guys is to stand toe to toe with them. If there is any bullying to be done, we will do it."

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has stated that his perennial centre partner will lead the team out on Saturday, but D'Arcy is keen to avoid the limelight.

"It's just a number. You can be sure I won't be leading the team out," he said.

"I suppose now I'm just happy playing rugby. I was probably more comfortable with the attention a few years ago.

"It makes me very, very uncomfortable now. I've nothing new to say.

"There are a lot of lads on the team closing in on the hundred cap mark, which is probably much more of an achievement.

"I've been around the same amount of time as them and have half the number of caps."

D'Arcy admits that having played alongside O'Driscoll for most of his professional career, the pair have developed a superb understanding.

"I know the guy inside out," said the 30-year-old Leinster and Lions back.

"It's probably the one partnership where the level of communication is lower than in most cases because we read body language.

"We trust each other implicitly. He knows if he comes out I'll swing in behind and vice versa.

"He knows if I'm going to hit him with a pass or not. After 12 years you'd hope that's the case.

"When we started playing he was at 13 and I was on the wing. We were always playing besides each other.

"We've always tried to push things, too. We have tried to up the ante."

via planetrugby.com

D'Arcy quick to play down significance of reaching half century

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via independent.ie

Here's a thing. Brian O'Driscoll is waxing lyrical about how he and Gordon D'Arcy have great telepathy. He's going to make sure his old mucker has a 50th cap to remember.

"I won't be leading the team out," the great one tells us. "I'll be right behind him."

Enter "him" -- Mr D'Arcy. A puzzled expression mocks our faith in extrasensory perception. "I'm sure I won't be leading the team out," he says.

Nonplussed, he is pressed. He shakes his head violently. "No." Didn't see that coming.

Were it not for Declan Kidney, who informed us that this would indeed be the Leinster man's half-century, the honour may well have been kept firmly under wraps.

Which, to judge by D'Arcy's demeanour, is how he wanted it. "It's just a number," he says.

He thrives in the centre but not at the centre of the attention; a prying intrusion into his love interests can have hardly helped his diffident response to the media thrall.

"I suppose it's different phases in every rugby player's career," he says softly. "Now I'm just happy to be playing rugby. This (media duty) was a lot more comfortable a few years ago, but it makes me a lot more uncomfortable now. Brian has to do it because he's the captain."

At one stage, he refers to Eddie -- presumably O'Sullivan -- when speaking of the challenges that lie ahead against South Africa this weekend. When pressed, you sense a frustration that a career that began in school pants has only just reached 50 caps.

Hence his indifference to the milestone, perhaps. "There's a lot of lads in the team closing in on 100. I've been around as long as them and only have half as many caps."

He does, however, maintain that he and O'Driscoll retain some telepathic connection where it matters. On the field. "You'd hope so after 12 years," he smiles.

- David Kelly

Irish Independent

via independent.ie

Boks to face strong Irish outfit

02nd November 2010 10:45

Luke Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald: Back for Ireland

Ireland have been boosted by the return of several key players for Saturday's November Test opener against South Africa at Aviva Stadium.

The biggest change comes on the wing where British and Irish Lions' ace Luke Fitzgerald returns to the international side for the first time in 12 months.

Fitzgerald, who last played for Ireland against Australia last November, joins Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney in the back three.

Skipper Brian O'Driscoll has been passed fit to start having recovered from a hamstring injury and will be partnered in midfield by Gordon D'Arcy.

Eoin Reddan has got the nod for the number nine jersey over the vastly experienced Peter Stringer, while Rory Best starts at hooker.

Ulsterman Best missed the June tour to New Zealand and Australia with an ankle injury but he will partner props Tony Buckley and Cian Healey.

In the back row, Stephen Ferris, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip will look to form a formidable-looking unit.

Kicking king Ronan O'Gara has to settle for a place on the bench, though, with Jonathan Sexton preferred at fly-half.

"I feel good and I'm looking forward to the team coming back to what is essentially our home," said O'Driscoll, who will play his first game in four weeks.

"We've enjoyed our time at Croke Park but now we want to make some memories at the new stadium.

"It would have been disappointing to miss the first game at the new Aviva so I'm looking forward to playing."

Ireland: 15 Robert Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Keith Earls.

Date: Saturday, November 6
Venue: Aviva Stadium
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Brice Lawrence (New Zealand), Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Television match official: Hugh Watkins (Wales)

via planetrugby.com
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