Page 20 - Irish Examiner USA

20 sportsexaminer

2019 Rugby Roundup

29th,

May

| By Barry Coughlan fair, this 18-15 victory was one they And mental strength was some- participate in the World Cup in
EXAMINER Tticked into first half red fully deserved. thing they had to bring to this final Japan.
here was a moment, or
as
Schmidt’s problems with back row
moments,
the
given the obvious heartbreak suf-
Having lost a European crown, it
clock
was a tribute to the resolve within
fered by losing to Saracens. To have
selection go beyond the unavailabili-
IRISH during Saturday’s Guinness the group that they came back to fin- to go into another final against anoth- ty of O’Brien because Dan Leavy is
ish the season with another title and
PRO14 final in Glasgow’s Celtic
another already ruled out for Japan.
er quality team – and on Scottish soil
Park when Leinster fans might
as well – was a big ask. To perform
But the coach does have many
something to remember a very good
have been excused for thinking season by. was an even bigger one. other options before he whittles
“here we go again.” This wasn’t anything like the flam- Five minutes remained when the down the 45/50 man preliminary
Scrum-half Luke McGrath boyant Leinster we have come to feisty Scots scored a try from reserve squad to the group of 31 players
launched the trademark Irish box admire; it wasn’t a final that sparkled hooker Grant Stewart to let just three allowed under tournament rules for
kick only for Glasgow Warriors to with brilliant end-to-end rugby. It points between the sides. the World Cup.
recycle possession and set off on a was, well, a final that had to be won It was then, perhaps, that Leinster There are plenty of back-row con-
counter-offensive in search of a try. in the rain and it had to be won by supporters began to struggle with tenders; Leinster will provide back-
Those ensuing moments left visiting playing sensible rugby against a team Leinster’s first-half decision not to row candidates Jack Conan, Rhys
supporters worried that there might that was capable of taking advantage kick for goal in front of the target and Ruddock and Josh van der Flier,
be a repeat of the Heineken of the slightest mistake. instead come away with nothing. Ulster will promote the name of Jordi
European Champions Cup when Leinster made one possibly big But it was also then that Leinster’s Murphy and Munster’s CJ Stander
Leinster conceded a late first-half try mistake but lived to tell the tale. dogged will-to-win attitude kicked in. and Peter O’Mahony will be auto-
and the lead, before eventually relin- In years gone by, Ulster first, and They played out the remaining min- matic selections.
quishing their title to Saracens. then Munster, flew the Irish flag on utes well in control, surging into Given that Iain Henderson and
Happily. Leinster’s Jordan the European stage. But Leinster Glasgow territory and holding on to Tadgh Beirne have experience of
Larmour broke up the Glasgow now perennially lead the Irish charge position and possession to retain playing back-row as well as the sec-
attack and there was no harm done. for silverware. They have become a their title brilliantly. ond-row, Schmidt will be hoping that
Had Leinster conceded, it would also very difficult side to beat and one The season is over, but there will all stay standing throughout the sum-
have been rough justice on McGrath, feared by domestic rivals and outside, still be time for a celebration this mer series in the build-up to Japan.
who was instrumental in getting his in Wales, Scotland, England and week when the squad gather for a In as much as keeping an eye on
side back into the game after conced- France. banquet at home base in the RDS to player welfare, Schmidt will have
ing a shock early try. The concession of just four penal- mark the 10th anniversary of their plenty to think about in the weeks
That could, though, have been a ties in Saturday’s match is indication Heineken Cup victory over Leicester ahead.
disastrously key moment for the Irish enough that there is a mental Tigers in 2009. He will be trying to find solutions
side, who also scorned a gilt-edged strength to match the skill set that There to celebrate with them will to the problems posed by England
goal-kicking opportunity but, to be they bring to the modern game. be Sean O’Brien, the Irish and Lions and Wales in the last Six Nations.
flanker, who was allowed hoist the He will have also noted that
Sean Downes Guinness PRO14 trophy by himself. Scotland – Ireland’s opponents in the
first World Cup game - produced
O’Brien has played his last game for
the province before his departure to their best to hold England to a 38-38
Attorney at Law play with ex-Munster and Irish coach draw in Twickenham.
Declan Kidney at London Irish.
And he will also have noted that
67 Wall Street, Suite 2401 There was some bad news for Glasgow – with up to half the
New York, New York 10005-3101 O’Brien, however, because he Scottish national team in their ranks
Telephone: (212) 248-3232 Fax (212) 248-2848 requires an operation and he has – pushed Ireland’s best side Leinster,
Representing those injured in: been ruled out of the game for up to with more than half the Irish side in
SCAFFOLDING ACCIDENTS CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS six months; that means, of course, their ranks – to the limit on Saturday.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE that he is precluded from possible Plenty to think about, and possible
AND ALL OTHER ACCIDENT CASES
selection on Joe Schmidt’s squad to problems to solve for Joe, then. C

T h e E x a m i n e r P u z z l e S o l u t i o n s

Solution to this Week’s Solution to this Week’s Easy Su Solution to this Week’s Medium
Crossword Doku Puzzle Su Doku Puzzle