Vissel Kobe 1

Oita Trinita 0

Vissel Kobe grabbed another important win at Kobe Home Stadium to keep alive their dreams of a first J-League title. The opponents were tiny Oita Trinita, an obscure football franchise who are having something of an Indian Summer this season. The game was between two sides, tied at second in the league.

After that thumping win over Kyoto and a hard-fought three points away to Urawa Reds, Kobe had recently found their confidence. The in form Kim had been working in the engine room of this resurgent side, who were looking to gain ground on Kashima Antlers in first place.

Trinita, recently crowned Nabisco Cup Winners, came into this game buoyed by an important win over FC Tokyo. The highflying minnows were hoping to regain the lost form of early season that saw them sit in the top half of the league. Pericles Chamusca’s disciplined side were not going to be a push-over for Kobe.

Home Stadium was its usual glorious, picturesque self, unfortunately it was the only nice thing to look at. The attendance was poor, lingering around 15,000 people. Two weeks earlier, against Kyoto, Kobe had almost sold out this arena to what seemed to be a mass of hard core supporters. Clearly, the large crowd against Kyoto had only turned up to see a neighbouring rival, and not because of a huge interest in football.

Trinita may be a small, far away and unimportant club every other season, but this year Kobe were meeting them as equals, in a contest for second place. A much more important game than against a shambolic Kyoto. However, the crowd of 15,000 that did turn up did not disappoint, and the atmosphere and festival they created was inspiring. Once again, the civility and good nature of Japanese football fans came to the fore as supporters mingled and chanted with no incidents. There wasn’t one policeman to be seen.

The game kicked off and immediately; the short-comings of the domestic Japanese game were exposed. The complete lack, with one exception, of tough physical defenders in the league, coupled with a drought of good strikers to finish them off, makes Japanese football resemble basketball in many ways. No tacking and end to end tediousness.

Both teams could have taken three points here, and Kobe’s Tatsuya Enomoto had to be sharp to make two amazing stops in goals. Trinita dominated the first half, owning possession for lengthy periods, unfortunately though, not knowing what to do with it. Japanese midfielders are talented (most high profile Japanese players in Europe are midfielders) and have good technical skills, but are generally lazy and prone to sending high balls into the box. Given that most strikers are below average height, this tactic is pointless.

For Kobe, Kim was again in inspiring form, single handedly battling the Trinita midfield in the centre of the park. At the back, the ever present Kunie Kitamoto was a colossus against the opposing forwards, and had to work trebly hard to account for the woeful performances of Hiroyuki Komoto, and the dire Teruaki Kobayashi.

Trinita, for all their possession, were unable to break down Kobe, in part due to Kitamoto, Enomoto and Kim, but mainly due to the input or lack thereof upfront of the Brazilian  pensioner Ueslei, whose name conveniently sounds like ‘useless’. At the seventy first minute they replaced him with the popular Morishima, but valuable chances had been squandered, and they were by now on the back foot.

An early chance in the first half came for Kobe, when Sakai drilled a long range shot which was pawed away by Nishikawa, only for the follow up to be sent wide. The home fans roared in disbelief, and made huge noise for such a small amount of people. The tiny platoon of away fans were in buoyant mood as the game developed, and gave a non-stop rendition of their team’s anthem for thirty minutes. By half time, neither team had much to cheer about.

The fans rushed out to buy their beer, their nuts, their popcorn and all the other snacks readily available to fans in this arena. Kobe’s ridiculous Cow mascot tried in vain to entertain the majority of fans who were half asleep.

The second half started brightly for the visitors, as Kanazaki and Suzuki both has decent opportunities. Kobe began to dominate after that, but were missing the industrious flair of Leandro. Hideo Tanaka was working well though, and they began to retain possession more.

After roughly seventy or so minutes, Okubo decided he wanted to take part in the game. Strongly resembling the moody attitude of Luis Figo, Okubo seems to spend a lot of time wandering around without really doing anything, but when he decided to play football, the game changed. Within the space of ten minutes the attacking midfielder had three opportunities, all self-created. But for the sharp eyes of Nishikawa and a mistake on his part, the former Real Mallorca ace would have scored.

In the end, and quite thankfully, a goal came and was scored by the captain. Taking the ball in his own half, Okubo raced forward, outpacing two defenders even with the ball at his feet, he then held it up to wait for the support from Kim and Tanaka. The ball was spread wide on the right to Tanaka who then drifted a low ball into the box.

Okubo, thinking faster than his adversary, got down quickly to head the ball into the left hand of the net, flying past the helpless Nishikawa. Poor defending, but a great goal, and a testament to the talent of man of the match Okubo. If only he were not so lazy, another chance in Europe might come his way.

The stadium erupted, and the feeling that Trinita don’t have it in them to come back was strong. Tanaka got a booking for time wasting a minute from the end in the games only other incident, and the full time whistle blew.

Three points for Miroshi Matsuda’s men, and for Trinita; the need to ponder the continuous participation of Useless up front. The fans dispersed with clock-work efficiency and night was closing in. A terrible game, but Trinita were no pushovers. They went on to win the Cup the next week, and are a hard working, if untalented, side.

by Philip Farrell

Argentina could have been excused for feeling apprehensive about the trip to Marseilles to face France last Saturday evening. This despite an extraordinary run against Les Bleus which had seen them win six of the previous encounters, including embarrassing their more illustrious hosts twice in the game’s global showpiece in 2007. Marcelo Loffredo was replaced by the wonderfully named Santiago Phelan and since then Argentina had won just one of their next four encounters.

Marc Lievermont, the French coach, had promised to abolish his wicked rotational policy for a more consistent selection, and return France to the style of rugby we have become accustomed to. There was also an air of revenge at the Veledrome. Through luck, excellent defending and a nervous home team, Argentina escaped with a 12-6 defeat, but the return to any semblance of form was the most important aspect of Saturday’s game.

The transition for Phelan has not been easy and highlights the enormous problems that are faced by the Union Argentine Rugby. They were granted three “summer” tests by the International Rugby Board, and contrived to lose two of them. Scotland levelled the series in Buenos Aires, but a week later, Italy defeated Los Pumas in Mendoza. Their next clash emphasised the awkward position Argentina find themselves in world rugby.

South Africa had a free week from the Tri-Nations and, as a nation, were approaching the 90^th Birthday of Nelson Mandela. The SARFU wanted a high profile fixture to mark the celebrations, so Argentina were contacted. This provided more evidence that Argentina had reached the top table of Rugby Union, making it as far as the semi-finals in the 2007 World Cup. In reality, Argentina should never have agreed to this game. It fell in July, at a time when their European-based players were in pre-season. South Africa, on the other hand, were in mid-season.

Frankie Deges, of the Buenos Aires Herald, also pointed this fact out, but concluded by saying Argentina had to accept the invitation. When have they ever been granted an opportunity like this? If Argentina starts refusing shop window, money spinning chances like this, they may never come around again. And so it turned out that a tired and rusty Los Pumas were flattened by an ultra fit, extremely patriotic Springbok outfit. They were mauled. 63-9

Granting Argentina, a deeply amateur Rugby nation, admission into one of the two main annual events has been one of longest running disputes in world rugby. In December 2007, significant changes were made to their calendar allowing them twelve high profile fixtures per annum (up from nine), and a structure helping them to turn professional by 2012 – when they would be part of the Tri-Nations. Turmoil ensued though, as a vast majority of Argentine clubs voted to remain amateur.

The club system in Argentina is extremely complex, and one many people outside the country don’t understand. There is virtually no rugby only clubs, but are apart of a sports society, and turning one element professional, means the others must join. There’s isn’t enough money in the game, and despite the high level of interest in the national team, attendance at club level is remarkably low. The debate rages on.

For now, however, the side continues with its tour of Europe. They may not be as good as the class of 2007, but their pack is mean and fearsome, and with players like Juan Martin Hernandez, Felipe Contepomi and Horacio Aguillo in the back-line, quality still shines through. Their game is still based largely around the front eight, Hernandez’s boot and Contepomi’s place kicking, but they looked more like their old selves on Saturday.

A replacement is still needed for Agustin Pichot at scrum half, and having a winger from Edinburgh and full back from Glasgow doesn’t bode well. Again, this indicates the complexity of the national game. Fat men (props) and tall men (second rows) know from an early age their dream of playing for Boca Juniors and wearing Maradona’s number 10 won’t materialise. They are accepted into the rugby fraternity early, and so develop the necessary skills. There are over thirty Argentinean props playing in Europe right now. That’s a lot of beef.

But recruiting footballers away from the round ball is ever a struggle. Hernandez and Harlequins Gonzalo Tiesi are naturally gifted footballers who couldn’t make it in soccer. Argentina needs more players like this. Tiesi is an enigma though – he was excellent at London Irish but found opportunities difficult due to the number of foreigners at the club. The move across town to Quins looked a marriage, but it never worked out. He was replaced at half time on Saturday.

They defended stoutly, and maybe the recent recruitment of Fabien Galthie will provide more experience. In the third quarter, they created a half dozen line breaks and had France on the ropes. But Hernandez kicked possession away, and the lack of skills was also a worry. The line out coughed up too many glorious opportunities, and the backs, unusually, put far too many passes down. It’s about preparation. Their scrum though, and this will send shivers down the backs of the Irish front row, took two against the head to France. Then they brought on the talented Leicester Tiger prop Marcus Ayerza. Over to you, Messrs Horan and Hayes.

Argentina rolls into Croke Park on Saturday week with renewed hope. They love playing Ireland. Add to that, the fact they are the only “tourists” not on end-of-season mindset. They will have had four weeks by then, and just as fresh as Ireland. No to mention, highly motivated. The Puma is back – and it’s great for the game.

Marc Lievermont, in the build up to last night’s match against Argentina, spoke of abandoning the ridiculed selection policy he adopted during his first twelve of months in charge of Les Blues, and also to start playing the style of rugby that fans across the globe have become accustomed to from the French.

The transition from the awful bile we witnessed during the Six Nations must have been easy for Lievermont. For starters, many of his players were raised playing heads up rugby; the majority of French clubs still use such a policy; and Emile N’Tamack is backs coach of the national side. N’Tamack is a legend at Toulouse, a club that has never turned its back of positive rugby, and a man who has tormented many Irish defenders throughout an illustrious international career.

As it transpired, Lievermont went back on his word with regards to one of those statements he promised in the first paragraph. The fact that Maxime Mairddd was the only new cap indicates that perhaps the selection policy has been simplified. As for the attacking rugby? Well, we saw none of that during the 12-6 win in Marseilles.

The second period was a classic example of this. It wasn’t until the sixty-ninth minute that France spread the ball beyond the inside centre for the just the second time. On both of those occasions in the second half, France tried to rely on a simple skip pass in the centres to break open the excellent Argentinean defence. By the time the ball reached Cedric Heymans or Julien Malzieu, the wingers were already shackled.

What transpired next was further evidence that not all of the new ELVs are worth persisting with. France kicked the ball away and hoped for a mistake from full back Bernardo Stortoni. Frequently this did happen, but it now seems sides like France are using the new laws to force errors from their opponents by kicking the leather of the ball, instead of backing themselves with ball in hand as they once did.

Towards the end of the game, the French fans passed the time, and boredom, by initiating an impressive Mexican wave. Such a spectacle is often associated with a crowd looking for some sort of entertainment. This seemed to inspire the French players, and a frenetic finish at last guaranteed some excitement on the pitch. They spread the ball quickly, ran from deep, and attacked close to the rucks, and out wide. There was renewed vigour in their play, and it was a miracle that a clearly shocked Argentinean side managed to keep their line in tact.

The relief on their faces told a story of how delighted a side were to win after a run of ugly defeats against the same opposition. They say France never lose in the Stade Veledrome, except against Argentina, and that Los Pumas embarrassed them twice in the world cup must have been haunting the home side in the build up to the game.

Losing the prolific Vincent Clerc and Aurelin Rougerie was no excuse, as the back line contained five members of the swash buckling Toulouse outfit. The two remaining were Clermont Auverign’s Benoit Baby (a product of the Toulouse Academy) and Julien Malzieu. The transition for the Toulouse players from the free reign of Guy Noves to the straight jacket approach of Lievermont must be extremely difficult.

Yannick Jauzion, one of the world’s finest centres, and inspired for Toulouse this season, was apparently playing last night. Too often the ball reached David Skrela, at out-half, and he executed what was evidentially in the coaching manual. Kick it high; kick it long; kick it away. This then transpired into a bout of aerial ping-pong, and a rash of ridiculously attempted drop goals from half way. The crowd had every right to boo, as none of these were successful.

Australia are up next for France, and as this is their end-of-season, and rattled after near escape against Italy, they will hardly offer too much more than Argentina. It’s imperative Lievermont abandons this playing style that is so alien to French players, and allows them to stick to the virtues of the game, or interest in this great sport will diminish greatly in a powerhouse of rugby union.

Further evidence of a game riddled with kicks, and lacking any fluidity, can be found at planetrugby.com: http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_4473782,00.html

Rugby’s finest global showcase began on Friday night as holders Munster squeezed past tiny Montauban; Biran O’Driscoll was on sparkling form as Leinster won in Edinburgh, and the Ospreys myth continued a pace as they were beaten in Leicester. The weekend’s happenings are discussed at lenght.

The nature of Leinster’s scoring spree in the first half against Edinburgh will have pleased coach Michael Cheika, but in reality, there were more aspects to be pleased with, and equally areas that need drastic reconstruction if they are to return here in May for the Final. O’Driscoll looked close to his best; Rocky Elsom produced a fine back row display, and Jamie Heaslip seems to have awoken from his early season slumber.

It’s highly unlikely Wasps will prove just as porous in defence as Edinburgh’s gaping holes here, so new strategies will need to be devised to crack a defensive line that has been the meanest in Europe for five years. Destroyer-in-chief Fraser Waters has surprisingly moved to Treviso, and Shaun Edwards appears distracted by his Welsh commitments, but the Wasps brutality was in evidence at Welford Road earlier this season.

Leinster’s scramble defence was excellent yet again, but a common trait throughout the season has been their first up tackles missed, particularly in  midfield. There is only so much Kurk McQuilkan can do with this team, the players must make their hits thereafter. Also, the game plan of kicking the ball aimlessly down the pitch either needs to be scrapped, or revised very shortly. Chris Paterson and Hugo Southwell don’t have the attacking verve of, say, Paul Sackey and Riki Flutey – so Leinster will be punished in future.

A big improvement from the past couple of weeks, but more is definitely needed. It’s always better so say this in October, than April however. Elsewhere in Pool 2, Wasps failed to land a bonus point at home to Castres, despite notching three by the hour mark. Advantage Leinster going into round two next Saturday.

Munster will need the perverbial kick up the backside after a narrow and slightly fortunate 19-17 win over Montauban on Friday evening. The defending champions were left relying on indiscipline and indecision in the visitors’ ranks in the closing minutes to ensure they weren’t on the end of the biggest upset in European rugby.

Sale produced the weekend’s best result with an utterly stunning 32-15 win away to Clermont Auverign. There have been hints that the wheels might be coming off the Clermont bulldozer recently, sparked by that glorious failure to win the French Championship last season. There is a tenacity to bottle it when they reach the closing stages of a season, and the fear now must be that this expensive, but aesthetically pleasing French side will cease their interest already, and possibly fall from the list of French giants.

For the English side though, wrapped in a straight jacket and the complete opposite of Clermont in recent seasons, blasted the shackles off to score a bonus point win. Whether they continue to play with such adventure at Edgley Park next Sunday will remain to be seen, but this tussle has the look of a forward orientated, attritional battle that will only benefit Munster. Expect them to keep the ball tighter, and use the likes of Alan Quinlan and Donncha O’Callaghan to batter holes up front, instead of trying skip passes on the wing.

Ulster, meanwhile, were the only Irish side not to claim a win over the weekend (Connacht scored an impressive victory in Dax), as the merciless Juan Martin Hernandez confirmed his status as the true rugby great. His two drop goals, and a third from Lionel Beauxis, highlighted a level of footballing ability not often witnessed in Europe. Their status as joint favourites remains in tact after collecting just their third away win three years.

Bath, riding high in England, were hit by a late, late sucker bunch in Toulouse. There were no indications that last seasons finalists will be in the reckoning again, so lethargic was their back-line. Ironically it was a man whose position has become under threat, David Skrela, who won the day for Toulouse. His last minute penalty, under severe pressure, from the right touch line was ingenious. The reaction even more so: it looked for all the world his curler was heading wide, and just as Bath started their celebratory jump, faith brought the kick back in.

The Ospreys myth continued apace at a nervous Welford Road. Leicester Tigers won 12-6 but the game should have been beyond sight at half time. A catalogue of errors and mis-oportunities marred Leicester’s performance, and as a result, they were hanging on towards the end. Jonne Murphy was the primary guilty party in the Leicester line up. The Ospreys scrum was obliterated, and their annoying arrogance was brought to the table again. Seeing the Ospreys fail is the highlight of all campaigns.

Their expensive collection of stars were living off no possession and territory in the first half, and were thankful for home side frustrations. Leicester, meanwhile, will wonder how this one wasn’t safe early on. The pace and ferosity they brought to the game was immense, but silly errors almost proved fatal. It’s hard to envisage they’ll get any better soon.

In the other games Cardiff beat Calvisano, Perpignan failed to hit  a bonus point at home to Treviso, the Dragons won a belter against galsgow, and The Llanelli Scarlets lost their last ever European match at Stradey Park.

Bring on round two.

For Barcelona , read Alfredo di Stefano; For Europe, read Jimmy Demaret; For England, read Australia ; For the Boston Red Sox, read Babe Ruth; and for Leinster , read……… eh……… Duncan Hodge?

OK, so the comparison isn’t quite the same and is void of international awareness, but Hodge has done more than most to set upon Leinster a chilling form of jinx. His record of played three, won two, drew one, and a grand total of 25 points is a massive understatement to his contributions. (oh, and for good measure, his only appearance against Ireland during a twenty-six times capped career for Scotland was Murrayfield 2001: Scotland 32, Ireland 10).

Last week the GAA held another Special Congress to debate more changes to the future of their sports. Immediately after Galway and Antrim had been relocated to the Leinster Hurling Championship for the next three years, a voice from the back of the room campaigned for further change. The unknown individual, said to have had a strong Australian accent with Middle Eastern extraction, asked for Edinburgh Rugby to be granted admission into Leinster , and in doing so, forfeit any other sporting obligations. The motion was narrowly defeated, and so departed the man of mystery.

The assertion amongst management and some Leinster fans is that the ERC has done Michael Cheika and his players a massive favour by scheduling this game so early in the European season. Unfortunately, history flies in the face of such optimism. This view should be taken with slightly more than a pinch of salt - maybe the whole Saxa factory?

In October 2000, Matt Williams took his Leinster side to the old Myreside Stadium to take on a team formally known as the Edinburgh Reviers. Fly-half Eddie Henkenui failed to land any of the three conversions attempts before Hodge rolled up to deliver the knock out blow. Peter O’Reilly noted in last week’s Sunday Times that  Leinster felt they had the winning of that game. All this author remembers was listening to commentary on RTE radio that Friday evening. ” Edinburgh Reviers 29, Leinster 21 Game over!”

Statistically, Leinster’s record against Edinburgh in the European Cup group stages is their second worst in this competition. Only Stade Francais have proved more difficult for Leinster to crack. The two wins from six contests marks it beside Toulouse and the Llanelli Scarlets on a win percentage ratio. The nineteen point-defeat in Murrayfield last season was Leinster’s heaviest in the pool stages on these islands since Leicester  triumphed 47-22 at Welford Road in September 1997.

Back to 2000-01, L’Aquila were well on their way to conceding 392 pool points (after leaking 90 to Stade Francais) and Glasgow performing equally badly, everyone at Leinster Rugby knew a best runner-up slot would not be possible - the conclusion was to start winning. Biarritz took a hiding at Donnybrook and Northampton were beaten in back-to-back fixtures. Up next? Edinburgh Reviers. Hodge was the hero as he rattled over 19 points – and Leinster were held to a 34-34 draw.

Leinster had raced into a seventeen point lead after tries by Hekenui, Leo Cullen, Bob Casey and Brian O’Meara, who chipped in with a further fourteen points. But the visitors stormed back, with their backs collecting tries at will during a frenetic closing period. The Reviers won a penalty under the Leinster sticks with the last play of the match, and with two Leinster players laying prostate near the half-way line, Don MacKinnon instructed Hodge to go for the three pointer – an extraordinary decision as it effectively eliminated both sides from the tournament.

  Statistically, Leinster’s record against Edinburgh in the European Cup group stages is their second worst in this competition. Only Stade Francais have proved more difficult for Leinster to crack. The two wins from six contests marks it beside Toulouse and the Llanelli Scarlets on a win percentage ratio

“I couldn’t believe their decision to take the penalty because of the maths but more importantly because as a group, we were shell-shocked”, Leinster captain would go on to say. Biarritz would avenge the defeat in Dublin (as they always seem to do), and Leinster bowed out in group stages yet again.

Hodge was quite perplexed about the notion of a hoodoo when we spoke on Thursday to preview the match. As the conversation moved gently towards its conclusion, he said he fondly recalls his clashes with Leinster , but the drawn game was him favourite. “It was tough, because we knew we had to win the match but the captain pointed to the posts, and that was that”. I said him if he said he contemplated over-ruling his skippers decision – “not really, no. I had to do what I was told” he laughed.

A catastrophe was narrowly adverted because qualification for the Heineken Cup was based on inter-provincial results (not the Celtic League), with the top two guaranteeing their participation for the following season. Leinster had finished third in the inter-pros after suffering a double defeat to Ulster in September, and a reversal in Galway . Entry to the European Cup in 2001-2002 was now out of Leinster’s hands, but Munster ’s successful negotiation of Group 4 bailed the Donnybrook club out of an embarrassing situation.

Fast forward to Michael Cheika’s second season in charge. In typically unpredictable fashion, Leinster began with big wins over Munster and Gloucester in Lansdowne Road , but were horribly defeated in Galashiels by the Borders. In October, they set up tent in Murrayfield. Five months previously, they strolled to 31-8 win on this ground, narrowly missing out on the Celtic League by virtue of David Humphries’ unbelievable good fortune in Swansea . The match was live on Sky, with a 13:30 Sunday kick-off.

  “It was tough, because we knew we had to win the match but the captain pointed to the posts, and that was that”. I said him if he said he contemplated over-ruling his skippers decision – “not really, no. I had to do what I was told” he laughed.

Yet again the man from Dumfries was to deliver the dagger that punctured Leinster hearts. The visitors were two points and three tries to one up, but reminiscent of 2000, Hodge was sprung from the bench and a crisp drop goal in front of Edinburgh ’s biggest attendance ensured Leinster ’s rebuilding post- Black Sunday still had a long way to go. Leinster threw away a three point opportunity when they decided to run a penalty right on half time, but were lucky to be awarded Luke Fitzgerald’s first try for the club after a suspicious looking forward pass.

Cheika’s men still had two minutes to win the game after Hodge’s sucker punch, but choose to find a route to the try-line, than take a simple drop goal. A turn-over just shy of the Edinbugh whitewash signalled the end of a game that nearly failed to make past the half hour mark after referee Joel Judge’s head wound. Whatever good news that could be taken was provided by Caucau and friends when Gloucester were beaten in Kingsholm by Agen.

Leinster responded with a thumping 49-10 win in Donnybrook (Dick Best described the boys in blue as “the Peter Pans of Europe”) with a typically robust display from Shane Horgan. Lynn Howells, coach of the Gunners, was drooling enviously in front of the Sky Sports cameras when asked about the attacking verve of his more illustrious hosts. Howells could have been forgiven for thinking “only if” after rumours circulated the press that the Welshman was at one point the front runner for the job soon to be occupied by Michael Cheika.

The damage was partly done on Leinster ’s European season, and a defeat eight days later in Kingsholm condemned them to a trip to London Wasps. An intercept pass and yellow card prior to half (both incidents involving Wasps) signalled game over. Season 2006-07 also saw a glorious position to claim a Magners League crown end in Cardiff – bringing down the curtain on a very unhappy spell post-Gloucester in January.

Seven months later, Shane Jennings and Leo Cullen returned home like refugees from their Leicester hibernation and yet again the tournament organisers threw up a nasty surprise for Leinster . Edinburgh would be the opponents during the pre-Christmas sparring session. Andy Robinson was the new Edinburgh coach to take on Leinster and crucially, for the Scottish side anyway, he enhanced the unlikely hex.

Bonus points were discussed in the Ballsbridge air prior to the home leg after Leinster’s capitulation in Toulouse , but Edinburgh leaked just the three. It was absolutely imperative that Leinster claimed a win in Murrayfield. They didn’t. Despite having unprecedented dominance up front, Leinster again choose the wrong tactics, and beating Edinburgh at their own game in a soulless stadium has never been possible. They spread the ball time and time again, and in a season that signalled Leinster ’s new found inability to score tries anymore, against the rampaging Ally Hogg and brilliant Mike Blair, the visitors were smashed.

Leinster had virtually no control at half back, and the laboured nature of their centres trying to find any sort of a gap was horrifying. What had happened to the stunning back-line football that had been characterised as ” Leinster “?. Chances were not taken, and if the same occurs when the sides meet yet again in Murrayfield this weekend, another European season may have collapsed. Leinster need to keep the ball close to their forwards, win their set-pieces, be ultra-disciplined, and take every single opportunity that comes their way.

Such has been Leinster ’s dire record at Murrayfield that the Edinburgh City Council are thinking of extending the city bus tour. No longer will the the millions of tourists that flock to the Scottish capital have to witness just the Castle, the Royal Mile and Princess Street. A commemorative graveyard will added to the itinerary at EH12 5PJ. The graveyard is Murrayfield; the sole headstone simply reads “Leinster Rugby”. Hodge reckons the key to Edinburgh ’s success might be that “we don’t hold any fears” of Leinster, but, unsurprisingly, he believes the danger-man in the Leinster line up will be Felipe Contepomi.

The former fly half also touched on the problems out wide as “we have had a few centres missing, so Southwell will fill in”, but despite the presence of Blair (whom he admitted spending a lot of time with this week), Godman, Patterson and Southwell, the Edinburgh game plan will not be to “kick to the ball up and down the park. We know this is going to be in the tight”

So this Saturday at 13.35, Leinster begin their 14th journey in rugby’s premier tournament with a trip to their version of Fawlty Towers . Ironically, the season ends in the same venue and same city. If Leinster are to get this horrendous monkey off their back then anything’s possible. If not, then the ten points they have surrounded so early in the League could mean that the most anticipated season in the province’s history will be over by Halloween. Over to you, guys!

Vissel Kobe 4

Kyoto Sanga 1

On a warm Saturday evening in Kobe, about 20,000 Vissel fans descended on Home Stadium for a game which could make their season. A win could move Vissel Kobe as high as second place, and recent suspensions and injuries had finished. The opposition was Kyoto Purple Sanga another team with high aspirations this season. Kobe are the ultimate underachievers in the J-League, a team with huge financial backing and a large fan base in a city with no baseball team, Kobe were made for big things.

This magnificent ground was built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and hosted three games. Since then its capacity has been reduced and name changed, but it remains a fine architectural wonder and a beautiful creation. Its bowl shape helps create an awesome atmosphere and sound is kept inside to spin around the park. The noise of the crowds was deafening before the teams even began to warm up. An ocean of flags and scarves and confetti had swept over the East end of the ground, while on the opposite side, a sea of Purple was heaving too.

The deadlock lasted only three minutes before the first of four goals was swept in for the home side. And it was fitting that the first goal I should see would be scored by the man called Yoshito Okubo.

The 26 year old captain and undisputed champion of Kobe came to the club two years ago from rivals Gamba Osaka. His move to the beef city was controversial; a great talent in his early days, the attacking midfielder’s career had slumped rapidly due to a case of what Fabio Capello once coined as Cassanata (a reference to Antonio Cassano, a player of very similar attributes). The move however turned sweet as the forward regained lost form and began terrorising J-League defenders once more. On Saturday the former Real Mallorca ace raced forward to latch onto a through ball to slot it past helpless Hirai in goals. A well timed team effort.

The eruption of the home crowd however did not take place. Unlike spectators in Europe, fans here keep a constant chant going for the full ninety minutes, and loud screaming and bellowing do not cease. So much so that when either team scores a goal, you barely notice. Japanese fans blame themselves if their team looses, citing their lack of adequate support as the problem. Never mind the underachieving players or the tinkering manager, if the fans don’t chant loud enough and long enough, all is lost.

a great talent in his early days, the attacking midfielder’s career had slumped rapidly due to a case of what Fabio Capello once coined as Cassanata (a reference to Antonio Cassano, a player of very similar attributes)

The match continued, in a fashion similar to that of a basketball game. Neither team managed to keep possession for any considerable length of time, so the game play shifted constantly from one end to the other. It may not have been technically advanced, but it was enthralling and exciting. Mainly because defending is a bit of a lost art here, so you get the feeling that a goal is only seconds away. The exception to the bad defending on the night though was the excellent Kunie Kitamoto, the Kobe number 4 who kept Kyoto’s forwards at bay through some brilliant well timed tackles, not conceding a single free kick in the process.

The next goal did not come until just before the break. Another well rehearsed team manoeuvre, masterminded by Okubo. The captain seemed to be everywhere, and has clearly been given a free role to roam by his manager. Always dropping back slightly from the two other forwards, the player held a strong line in an advanced role throughout the game, flanked by Yoshida and Park. Yoshida collected the ball on the left, rounding the defender he swerved a pass to Okubo who placed a deft air ball straight to the head of advancing defender Toshihiko Uchiyama who powered the ball past Hirai. Again the moment of elation and emotional explosion by the home fans did not transpire.

Half-time came and there was a pleasant mix of fans around the beer stands. Kyoto’s large and loud travelling contingent who made the gruelling thirty minute trip on Japan’s space age train system were in high spirits, their team wasn’t playing too badly, and you sensed that a goal would come for them before long. The socialising of fans, consuming large amounts of alcohol without the slightest sign of trouble or violence, is a credit to Japanese football and its followers, and puts no small amount of shame on Europeans, and our unique ability to get carried away with a sport.

Six minutes into the second half and Kyoto were thrown a lifeline. Some bad defending by the Kobe right back allowed a cross that came sweetly into the box, for Yutaka Tahara to head home. It was a harsh goal to concede, and even more so for Enomoto the resident Santiago Cañizares between the posts. The bleach haired Tokyo native had kept everything out with some acrobatic skill. The noise from the away fans was deafening, and drowned out the beat of the large home crowd. It was well and truly game-on now, and with a probable climb to second place in the table for the winners, the game became a tense affair. The idea of a Kyoto resurgence was almost realised when Teruaki Kobayashi was sent off for the home side after a second yellow card for retaliation.

But any hopes for Kyoto were diminished by a wonder strike from well outside the edge of the box by the Brazilian striker Leandro. The former São Paulo man collected from a pass by Park to hit a screamer past a keeper who didn’t even see it coming. But the Kobe number 9 should never have been given as much space by the Kyoto defence. Less than two minutes later, Kyoto were finished off and put to rest by an individual effort from that man again Okubo, who raced into the box and, as if there were no goalkeeper, coolly slotted the ball home to end the affair.

He was naturally granted man of the match, much to the elation of the home side who all seem to have his number 13 on every piece of memorabilia they wear. Every team needs its hero, and since this boy’s brief stint in the Spanish Primera Liga was unsuccessful, it is unlikely any European clubs will try and steal him away again.

The crowds filed out after 90 minutes of entertaining football that, although lacking in technical quality, was high on intensity and excitement. There was no major police presence, no segregation, the Kyoto fans simply shrugged their shoulders, picked up their numerous flags and got the train home. There was also no litter and rubbish to be found anywhere, and walking around the stadium after the crowds had dispersed, it was hard to believe there had been a game here at all. Law and order, and respect are attributes of Japanese society, and this is shown in the excellent conduct of its football fans. Perhaps instead of attempting to curb Ultra activity and improve security, the Italian Serie A should just move here.

by Philip Farrell

There is no doubt Leinster Rugby loves days like this. It won’t be long before Van Morrisson is asked to perform on the half way line as the stadium announcer reads out the teams. Great pleasure was taken in hijacking the official site last Monday, loudly boasting the game was “sold out”. Leinster versus Munster is big league now. The 18,500 people will make this the most viewed game anywhere in home nations (excluding the Twickenham scramble) so far this season.

Before we look at the contest ahead, spare a momentary thought for the organisations still campaigning for the banning of alcoholic advertisements in Ireland, who were sent sprawling to the canvas Amir Khan-style once the national media had cleared down another forest to preview this game. The Magners League champions versus the Heineken Cup winners – has a slightly better ring to it than the Kit-Kat Celtic League or the TK European Cup, or whatever they’ll be called soon.

Players and management must have been treated to Will Green’s keen understanding of cricket during his stay, as one-by-one they have manfully batted away talk of titles and cups. Chris Whitaker did his best to douse the flames on Thursday. “I think we can make an impression but it’s important to look to one game at a time. Munster is the only game on our minds” The man he replaced in the Leinster half back position, Brian O’Riordan, believes a trophy of continental significance will be in the Leinster radar this season. 

Mick Dawson, meanwhile, has been peering through the haze of optimism that has blanketed the province in recent times. The goal posts at the RDS are higher than ever before. Staff at Elvery’s were spending the summer filling the empty gaps on shelves where once hung a Leinster jersey, and, in rural towns, young kids were given more exposure to their heroes. They say Leinster Rugby stops at the Red Cow? Not any more!

But that’s for another time – fans across Ireland are becoming spoilt these days, after first the National Ploughing Championships, and now one of the great days in the rugby calendar. Not everything has gone down well, though!

Setanta’s decision to schedule this match on a Sunday evening has been met with obvious derision by all involved. They will feel vindicated by the fact Leinster took no time in announcing the game was sold out, but the global feeling is this game suits at 5:30 pm kick-off on a Saturday. But as one prominent journalist said, the fans are at the bottom of the food chain now. Whitaker believes “the day has no significance for the players, although it does seem strange……big games shouldn’t be played on a Sunday”.

Not to mention that this fixture has also been dogged by refereeing controversy over the past few seasons, so much so that Wayne Barnes and Chris White were conscripted to keep the general peace last season. The fact that the IRFU and Celtic Rugby had to look outside their borders was partially attributed to the continued Anglo-Welsh tea party, but it was also a serious indictment of the current officiating standards operating within the Celtic rugby nations.

UEFA and FIFA have often utilised their power to have high profile matches refereed by “foreigners” (ever hear of the Scottish man in Egypt?), and the decision by the IRFU to do likewise was a positive step considering the paucity of local options. Why they have reverted to type by bringing in Simon McDowell, the Ulsterman caught in the eye of the 2006 storm, remains unclear. O’Riordan questioned whether McDowell would command the level of respect which would have attributed to Messrs Barnes or White.

Away from the hype and hysteria, both Leinster and Munster named their teams on Friday afternoon. Michael Cheika continued the theme of rotation, making 5 changes from the side which beat the Ospreys last week. New recruits CJ van der Linde and Rocky Elsom take their place in the forwards, with Malcolm O’Kelly and Shane Jennings also returning to the fold. Sean O’Brien, Devin Toner, Cameron Jowitt, and, rather surprisingly, Stan Wright make way. Ronan McCormack gets a reprieve in the front row.

In the backs, Jonathan Sexton returns in the absence of the injured Isa Nacewa, whilst Rob Kearney is the unlucky loser in the game of musical chairs. Shane Horgan is presumably in due to his excellent strike rate when it really counts, but one feels he needs a bigger game more than anyone else. Cheika has considerable fire-power to yield from the bench, notably the aforementioned Kearney, O’Brien and Wright. Cian Healy’s demotion to the ‘A’ side will have surprised the former Belvedere man more than anyone else.

Tony McGahan, for his part, has also made five alternations to the side that beat the Cardiff Blues 28-20 last Saturday. Keith Earls replaces Denis Hurley at full back, who drops out of the squad altogether, and Tomas O’Leary returns as expected at scrum half. In the pack, Marcus Horan, Donncha O’Callaghan and David Wallace are recalled with a modest 152 international caps between them. The Australian coach has also resisted call from certain sections of the Munster crowd to include Paul Warwick from the start, but a bit like Horgan, this seemed almost inevitable. The former Connacht fly-half will bench in another strong replacements list, alongside Alan Quinlan and Freddie Pucciariello.

Earls’ performance will be another of great interest to the new Ireland coach Declan Kidney, but where the young man lines up when Munster aren’t in possession will be interesting. Part due to the ELVs, and part due to a new approach, Leinster have opted to put boot to ball more often than before. Munster may feel more comfortable shifting Doug Howlett as the last line of defence, especially when the game is still in its early exchanges. A definite area of concern for the visitors though, will be their mysteriously generous line out. Otherwise, they come into this game with a lot of confidence, and the way they have moved through the gears in their last two outings will worry Leinster’s excellent defence.

Conflicting reports from a number of websites means players and fans won’t know until Sunday what the weather conditions will be like, but it seems a certain amount of rain is inevitable. Some in the media have labelled this the last trial match before the Autumn Internationals, with the second row the most intriguing – the match up between the two men captaining these sides has something epic about it. Discipline will be another factor, enter Mr. McDowell, and the buzzing Munster centres versus the slowly improving duo from the blue corner.

The bookmakers start Leinster at early 4 point favourites, and the nagging feeling remains this is a bigger one for them than Munster. The props need a huge game to stabilise a somewhat shaky scrum, Bernard Jackman must continue his excellent throwing form, and out wide, Felipe Contepomi will have to nail every opportunity that comes his way. It might become factitious and possible low scoring, but if Leinster can keep that water-tight defence in tact, and secure their set piece possession, they should have just enough to scrap through the ultimate nail biter.

Bragging rights and all that!

A spectacular try from Luke Fitzgerald and two Isa Nacewa drop goals guided the defending champions to a second successive victory after a titanic battle with the Ospreys at the RDS.

Michael Cheika will have plenty to mull over before Munster come to the RDS next Sunday week. A win despite commanding just 40% of the possession can be looked on favorably or with horror, but a much vaunted Leinster side continues to look patchy and make elementary mistakes. 

On the positive side, the try was a piece of unequeled beauty. The up-and-under from Nacewa was perfectly timed, but the interchange between Contepomi and Fitzgerald absolutly shredded the Ospreys cover. Three passes were enough to send Fitzgerald under the posts.

The defense will be another area of pleasure for Cheika. Kurk McQuilkan did great work here last season, and the players seem to be buying into his philosophy. For large portions of the game, the Ospreys threw everything at the Leinster line, but were brilliantly repelled until the final excahanges.

Leinster were also indebted to a strong bench that helped turn a murky situation into four points. By the time O’Kelly, Healy and Jennings came on, Leinster were frantically defending a 10-6 scoreline and had survived a television match official decision. From that moment, the home side owned the pill and actually wasted numerous opportunities to finish the contest.

Jonno Gibbs will have been unimpressed by the nature of Leinster’s forward play, and despite the afforementioned excellent defending, Leinster did fall off too many tackles. The suspected broken arm of Isa Nacewa will also cause nightmares for the head coach, although the former Auckland Blue did produce an indifferent display.

Without doubt, however, the biggest concern will have been the lack of territory and possession. We can only assume Nacewa’s over use of the boot is a coaching decision in light of the new ELVs, but the errant display didn’t help the home team. Elsewhere, Shane Horgan again looks fit for the AIL only, and for the second game this season, the back row was overshadowed by the opposition.

The Ospreys are a talented operation, and as James Hook grew into the game, despite having an incompetent scrum inside him, gaps began to appear in the Leinster rear guard, with Lee Byrne and Tommy Bowe finding plenty of space.

But their inability to transform a powerful scrum into anything other than a few bragging rights was crushing. Late in the first half, the Ospreys had numerous chances to collect their first try, but each time poor decisions hurt them, and the Leinster defense kept them at bay.

Both sides were at the mercy of some comic refereeing from Nigel Owens. Last week, Edinburgh were on the receiving end, but on Friday, Leinster were lashed by the Welshman. The dizzying amount of knock-ons going un-noticed frustrated players and fans alike.

Massive improvment is needed in the weeks ahead, especially with Munster showing some real invention in the backs. A tough outing will have done them some good, and with another weekend out of the way, attention now focuses on the battle between the kings of the alcoholic beers.

Player Ratings:

Girvan Dempsey: Another solid outing but too little is being offered in attack. Can’t help feeling Dempsey will only start a Heineken Cup opener if others continue to play below their expected levels. 7

Shane Horgan: Hopes of a rejunvination were spectacularly shot down by the man himself. Stupid mistakes like kicks out on the full are his only contributions of late. Offered nothing of purpose. 5

Brian O’Driscoll: Leinster’s lack of possession meant O’Driscoll was nullified going forward, and a few missed tackles will be a conern. Limped off with the game won. He’ll need the nine days rest before the Munster show hits town. 6

Felipe Contepomi: An integral part of Leinster’s glorious try that had 15,000 people purring. Missed a few tackles though, and the way the Ospreys midfield found gaps at the 10-12 channel was worrying. Played some decent football though. 6

Luke Fitzgerald: Will get the plaudtis for that wonderful try in which he and Contepomi played a few one two’s taking out five Ospreys defenders. Like O’Driscoll, the lack of ball meant for a frustrating evening, and he had to tackle a lot more than he would have hoped for. 7

Isa Nacewa: A real mixed bag of a performance. 2 sweet drop goals and a number of sything breaks, but whilst his kicking game can reap rewards, all too often it is possession lost when Leinster need the ball. Suspected broken arm could signal a return for the hapless Sexton. 6

Chris Whitaker: Sound leadership was essential in the middle third of the game, but a malfunctioning scrum caused him headaches all night. Didn’t help the cause by delaying too often in possession and made half-breaks that he shouldn’t. 5

Ronnie McCormack: Part of a scrum had creaked and buckled all night. McCormack looks to have regained full fitness and was surprised to be called ashore. Leinster’s ability to hold on to the win was in part due to his exit. 5

Bernard Jackman: Took the man of the match award in a non vintage display from Leinster. One line out lost was his sole misadventure, although, not a prominent around the park as usual. 7

Stan Wright: Wonderful ball carrying skills for a prop and we were given his full repetoire of off-laods in the second half. Struggled in the scrum and gave away a couple of penalities. Big performance needed next week. 7

Leo Cullen: In truth, the new captain was probably Leinster’s best player. Stirling start to the season, and Leinster were indebted to his leadership in tough times. 7

Devin Toner: Found life easy against Cardiff and Edinburgh but looked too light against a physically robust Ospreys pack. Will make way for O’Kelly next week. 6

Cameron Jowitt: Average performance in a faltering back row. Will more than likely hold onto his place next week due to Elsom’s recent travels. 6

Sean O’Brien: The second alteration that saved the day for Leinster was Jennings early in the second half. O’Brien is a massive talnt but is still raw at this level. Will need to improve his handling but his usual array of huge hits and tackle bursting was fairly entertaining. 6

Jamie Heaslip: Game three were the fulcrum of the Leinster 8 has not been on his brilliant best. For many, alarm bells are about to ring. 6

Substitutions:

John Fogerty: Not on long enough to rate.

Cian Healy: From being helped backwards at the opponents’ pleasure, Leinster’s set piece looked decidely more comfortable once the Clontarf man came on. Admittely, the Ospreys scrum had suffered a number of injuries. 7

Malcolm O’Kelly: Another good game. Will definately start next week. 7

Shane Jennings: This author has been Jennings’ biggest critic, but on Friday night he was wonderful. Prehaps the catalyst for the Leinster win. One massive turn over immediately after replacing O’Brien set the tone for a great cameo. 7

Stephen Keogh: Not on long enough to rate.

Rob Kearney: It could be argued he was the most at fault for the Ospreys bonus point. Too often he goes for a big smash instead of just making the tackle count. 6

A try midway through the second half from new signing Isa Nacewa saved Leinster from an opening day defeat to last seasons closest rivals, but Michael Cheika and Alan Gaffney know vast improvement is imperative if this season is to be as fulfilling as many suggest.

This was a game the Cardiff Blues should have won, but tellingly, as the final whistle approached, it was Leinster who looked the more likely to snatch the four points. After taking so much punish for close to an hour, the resilience and determination of his squad will be the only positive Michael Cheika can take from this awkward season opener.

Leinster started the stronger and opened the scoring after several minutes of positive rugby. Good running lines and support set up a ruck close to the Cardiff 22, and after a typical burst from man-of-the-match Malcolm O’Kelly, a Cardiff player was pinged for coming off his feet. Felipe Contepomi chipped over an easy three pointer.

In reality, the penalty should have been given the way of the hosts after Shane Jennings’ reckless and impatient use of the boot landed inches from Andy Powell’s head. The referee and his assistants missed it, but it’s hard to believe a sighting commissioner will be so lax with the rules. As the half panned out, this was about the only time Leinster played with such fury.

Throughout the half, the contrasting styles of the sides become glaringly obvious. Cardiff played with great intensity and continuity, whereas Leinster ran one-off moves and players were poorly supported leading to a dizzying array of turnovers. The ease with which Martyn Williams and co. moped up Leinster possession, and their own dreadful technique in safely securing the pill will be especially alarming to the coaching staff.

Cardiff’s back row was prominent all over the park, with Ma’ama Molitika and Powell bursting through some tepid Leinster tackling. What kept Leinster in the game were spilled passes symbolic of early season rust. A moment of magic fron Nacewa, and another moments later from O’Driscoll, were all Leinster could muster.

Rob Kearney was lucky to escape punishment after a deliberate knock down with Leinster massively outnumber on the left. The referee had already spotted an infringement close to the touch line, and to add insult to injury, Cardiff’s decision to kick to the corner was scuppered by Devin Toner’s fine steal.

It was only a matter of time before Leinster cracked, and this duly occured withing seconds. A ruck under the posts was successfully repelled, but spotting vast numbers to the right, Jason Spice moved it on to Ben Blair who touched down despite the best efforts of O’Driscoll and Kearney. For good measure, Blair added the touchline extras.

Another marauding run from Molitika, aided by Powell and the influential Robinson led to a siege on the Leinster try-line, but a vital bear hug from Jennings and huge hit from Nacewa turned Cardiff’s thinking from a seven pointer – Robinson stepped back and landed a sweet drop goal. 10-3 at half time, but all the possession, territory and chances were with the hosts.

The restart didn’t offer much respite for the Champions, with Blair missing his second kickable chance of the game. Sexton was soon fitting his tracksuit, as Girvan Dempsey joined the battle to alter the look of the Leinster backs. Nacewa moved to 10, and immediately the balance shifted towards Leinster. Nacewa showed off his kicking repertoire, and the Blues failed to heed the warning as the game moved along.

Contepomi landed two further penalties, with a solitary response from Blair. 13-9 approaching the final quarter was an embarrassment for Cardiff, and it was only going to get worse. Nacewa boomed an up-and-under, Keanery half collected, the ball ricocheted to O’Kelly, who spotted Nacewa burning down his right. The vision was exemplary and Nacewa skated home from 40 meters. Who would have believed it? Leinster 16-13 in front.

Possession was paramount, but after another Nacewa aerial bombardment, Dempsey was inexplicably caught in an offside position. Blair landed the 50 meter kick, and after some frantic and frenetic rugby, which produced more glorious magic from Nacewa, Leinster almost stole the show, but Kearney’s late drop goal sailed agoinisingly wide.

Referee Andy MacPhearson blew full time on what was a quality game of rugby played in near-perfect conditions, unlike Ravenhill and Murrayfield. Vast improvement, particularly in the backs, plus some personal changes is needed. The good news, however, came from Twickenham, as reports filtered through of London Wasps’ crushing defeat to London Irish.

Player Ratings

15. Isa Nacewa:A couple of missed tackles marred an otherwise encouraging debut. His kicking from hand, aerial takes and attacking flair were all high class, and he took his try extremely well. Looked better when moved to fly-half for the hapless Jonno Sexton. 7

14. Shane Horgan:After giving Leinster so much for eight seasons, Horgan was entitled some room to get himself out of the rot. However, the Meath-man is now living on borrowed time. Another sub-par performance from a ridiculously experienced winger, Horgan was wasteful in possession and unsure in the air. Called ashore after 60 minutes indicates the pressure is on. 3

13. Brian O’Driscoll:Showed some early season errors, particularly in defence, but was fairly prominent throughout. One stunning break in the first period should have yielded a try, but Leinster and O’Driscollcan be happy with another eighty minutes under his belt. 7

12. Felipe Contepomi:The indifferent form continues, notably in defence for someone previously so tough in this aspect of the game. His importance for Leinster is immeasurable though with his draw-saving 4 from 4 with the boot. Better to come. 6

11. Rob Kearney:Shunted to wing to accomodate Nacewa, Kearney’s form continues to flow oppositely to Contepomi’s. Not as flash as the new full back, but defined efficiency throughout. His left boot is an ever increasing advantage. Showing signs of leadership too. Leinster’s best back. 8

10. Jonno Sexton:The fans still have mixed opinions of the Mary’s man, and after tonight, those advocating his inclusion will be sleeping rather uneasily. His weak defensive kicking and sloopy passing put Leinster in trouble until his early withdrawal on 46 minutes. Leinster stabilised after, and Nacewa’s moment of magic came from 10. The jury is very much still out. 4

9. Chris Whitaker:The stand-in captain was commitment and leadership personified, but poor decisions were prevalent in his game. Not helped by his partners incompetency, but Leinster will demand better. Scrum half was one of those areas highlighted as a potential weakness, and those fears have not been put to bed. 5

1. Cian Healy:The scrum struggled throughout, and although Healy was the least responsible of the props, the assurance offered by Knoop when he made his seasonal bow should see the Belvo man demoted. Still looks a better prospect from the bench. 5

2. Bernard Jackman:Only Malcolm O’Kelly’s brilliance could deny Jackman the man of the match award. The new line-out ELVsare supposed to hinder hookers in possession, and the way the other games went over the weekend, Jackman had proper cause for concern. His response was legendary – 100% with the ball in flight. All action around the park. Great effort. 8

3. Ronnie McCormack: Struggled badly against the most capped Welsh prop in history. Hardly his fault after nearly 20 months out injured. The scum creaked and wheeled, so Wrights return to fitness will be crucial. May be asked to soldier on again next week. 5

4. Malcolm O’Kelly:Who said the old dog was ready for the knackers yard? What a performance. Error free and peerless in the air, O’Kelly totally dominated his opposite number Paul Tito, captain and darling of the Cardiff Blues. The vision for Nacewa’s try was befitting of his supposed illustrious backs. 9

5. Devin Toner:The big man produced his best game in the Leinster blue (or should I say white?). Helped by Leinster’s unrivaled supremacy in the air, but the line-out steal on the Leinster try-line saved a possible score concession. Encouraging. 7

6. Cameron Jowitt:Earned his place over Stephen Keogh after a strong pre-season, Jowitt tonight looked like he was merely keeping the jersey warm for Rocky Elsom’s necessary arrival. Leinster’s back row was smashed by Cardiff, but he did offer some decent offloads in attack. 6

7. Shane Jennings:Has had to bide his time to claim the openside jersey, Jennings now has the rampant Sean O’Brien breathing down his neck. Anonymous throughout apart from a couple of reckless first half stamps, which amazingly went un-noticed. Bettered by the brilliant Martyn Williams. 5

8. Jamie Heaslip:Not his usual rampaging best, but these are the standards he has set. Leinster needed a cool head, though, after moving in front, and Heaslip answered the call. Captain in the waiting. 7

Substitutes:

Girvan Dempsey: Replaced Sexton early in the second half. Proved a calming presence in the hellish finish, but all the good work undone by a moment of madness that conceded the final three points. Could make a return next week. 7

Stephen Knoop:The Leinster scrum was driven into the ground before Knoop saved the day. If he’s fit, he will play. Wrights injury and van der Linde’s ban mean cotton wool will be in heavy supply for ex-Connacht prop next week. 7

Luke Fitzgerald, Sean O’Brien and John Fogerty:Not on long enough to be rated, but Fogerty continued the good aerial work started by Jackman. Hopefully they have signed a replacement hooker of note.