Leinster Rugby
| File:Leinster-rugby-logo.png | |||
| Full name | Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Leinster Lions | ||
| Founded | 1875 | ||
| Ground(s) | Donnybrook Lansdowne Road (Capacity: 7,500 49,000) | ||
| Coach(es) | Michael Cheika | ||
| League(s) | Celtic League | ||
| 2005-06 | 2nd | ||
| |||
The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Leinster. The branch is also responsible for the Leinster team (previously known for a period as the Leinster Lions; see below), which plays in national and international competitions.
The amateur Leinster sides previously played in a plain navy jersey with white shorts and navy socks. The Leinster Harp is an ever-present on the jersey.
Leinster's traditional home ground is in Donnybrook, in Dublin City's south side. They have development plans to build a new 12,500 capacity stadium — up from its existing 7,500. They are currently playing some home games at the Royal Dublin Society showgrounds, and have in the recent past played a few games at the national rugby stadium, Lansdowne Road.
For the coming 2006/07 season, the province will play 8 of their 10 'Home' Magners League games in their traditional Donnybrook grounds and games versus inter-provincial rivals Munster and Ulster will be Played in Lansdowne Road, while pre christmas Heineken Cup pool games will also be played in Lansdowne Road. Leinster's final Heineken pool game versus Endinbugh Gunners, will be played in the traditional Donnybrook ground. This is seen as a controversial move by many observers, as it will see many fans 'Locked Out' of the pool game for the first time in many years. The clash between Leinster and Ulster on New years eve will be the final fixture to be played in the Lansdowne Road, which is the oldest International Rugby ground in existence.
History
The Leinster Branch was formed in 1875. In amateur days the four provinces played against each other in the Inter-provincial Championship and also played touring sides (usually midweek). When rugby union was declared 'open' in 1995, these four teams became the four professional teams ran by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).
Leinster reached the Heineken Cup semi-final in 1995/96 and 2002/03. They were the inaugural Celtic League Champions (01/02) beating rivals Munster in the Final in Lansdowne Road.
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, but before the start of the 2004/05 season it was decided to drop the 'Lions' from the name.
In 2002/03, they became only the third team in the history of the Heineken Cup to win all their games in pool play and the first team to do it twice in the 2004/05 season. They also went one step further in the playoffs than the previous season by reaching the semis, but lost at home against French side Perpignan.
The 2004/05 Leinster team also won all of their games in pool play, and were again considered among the favourites for the title. Yet they went out at the quarter final stage to Leicester Tigers.
In 2005/2006 Leinster qualified for the quarter finals as a best runner up by demolishing Bath at "the Rec". In the quarter-final they gave one of the province's greatest ever performances, beating number 1 seeds and reigning champions Toulouse in France by a scoreline of 41-35. On April 23rd they continued to the semi finals of the Heineken cup against fellow Irish provincial team Munster. Leinster were hammered 30-6.
Famous players
- Victor Costello
- Shane Byrne
- Felipe Contepomi
- Ollie Campbell
- Gordon D'Arcy
- Neil Francis
- Denis Hickie
- Shane Horgan
- Brian O'Driscoll
- Malcolm O'Kelly
- Girvan Dempsey
- Robert Kearney
- Brendan Mullin
- Hugo McNeill
- Paul Dean
- John Collins
- John Molony
- Mick Quinn
- Tony Ward
- Tom Grace
Provincial honours
Leinster were Guinness Inter-provincial Champions in 2002. They have won the Irish Inter-provincial Championship 22 times, three times as professionals.
Leinster Squad 2006/07
Players In
Chris Whitaker New South Wales Waratahs- Owen Finegan Newcastle Falcons
Marcel du Plessis United R.F.C
Trevor Hogan Munster- Stephen Keogh Munster
Harry Vermaas Blue Bulls- Des Dillon Ospreys
Players Out
- Brian O'Riordan Bristol
- Brendan Burke Rotherham Titans
John Hepworth Leeds Tykes
Bryce Williams Bourgoin- Ben Gissing Calvisano
- Eoghan Hickey Munster
- Eric Miller Retired
- James Norton Retired
- Emmett Byrne Released
- Brian O'Meara Released
- David McAllister Released
- Simon Crawford Released
- David Blaney Released
Club Competitions
- Leinster Senior Cup
- Leinster Senior League
- Leinster Towns Cup
- Metropolitan Cup
- Leinster Junior Challenge Cup