Leinster Rugby

Founding (1875–1899)

The Leinster Branch was inaugurated at a meeting on 31 October 1879. The meeting was held at Lawrence's premises 63 Grafton Street and was largely attended. Although this was the formal founding of Leinster as we know it today, with the amalgamation of the Irish Football Union and the Northern union, the Leinster provincial team had been active since 1875 – when the first interprovincial derby was played against Ulster. The Leinster and Ulster teams also made up the representative Irish team that competed against England in Ireland's first ever international in 1875. Upon the founding of the union, Munster were also added to the fray in 1879, when their first provincial team was selected and first Munster players represented Ireland.^[3][4]

The clubs represented at the meeting were; Wanderers, Lansdowne, Arlington School, Dublin University, Dundalk, Phoenix F.C. and Stephen's Hospital.

F. Kennedy (Wanderers) was elected first Hon. Secretary of the Branch and C.B. Croker (Lansdowne) first Hon. Treasurer.

The function of the Branch was to organise the game of rugby football in the province. Every year five representatives would be selected to join the IRFU Committee. They would be known was the "Leinster Five" and would pick the Leinster representative teams.

The first Interprovincial matches between Leinster, Ulster and Munster were held in 1875. At this time the matches were played with 20 players a side. Leinster lost to Ulster by a converted try and beat Munster by one goal to nil. Since then there has been a match between these teams annually, with Connacht joining the fold in 1885.

Leinster Schools Interprovincial matches have been taking place since 1888. Leinster Schools beat the Ulster Schools in Belfast on Saturday 7 April by a dropped goal to a try. Their first match against Munster Schools took place on 18 March 1899, when Leinster won by two tries to one.

The Leinster Schools Senior Cup, which is one of the biggest annual events in Leinster Rugby commenced in 1887. The competition is still one of the most prestigious competitions to win in Leinster Rugby to date. The first official Leinster Senior Challenge Cup was created in 1881. Once this knock out competition was firmly established, there was a natural demand for a competitive league. Thus the Senior Challenge Cup was followed by the Senior League.

The other natural progression was the creation of leagues to follow all cups played at all levels of competition such as the Junior Cup and the Junior League, the Third A Cup (Moran Cup) by the Junior 3 League and so on.^[5]

Amateur period (1900–1990s)

The early 1920s led to the creation of the Provincial Towns Cup and the Metropolitan Cup, which are still hard fought competitions in the Leinster Rugby calendar. Much has changed in rugby over the years, but the original idea of Leinster Club Rugby acting as a feeder for the Leinster Interprovincial side, though now professional, still stands true.

All Interprovincial matches were abandoned during the years of the Great War (1914–1918) and the War period (1939–1945), though unofficial matches were played.^[5]

The first major touring side to play Leinster was a team drawn from the New Zealand Army – the Kiwis, in 1946. Although it was not an official touring side organised by the New Zealand Rugby Union, the quality of the match, which was drawn 10 points each, is still remembered to this day.^[5]

The first official overseas touring side that came to play Leinster was an Australian touring side in 1957.^[5] Since then, Leinster has played against every major touring side from Fiji to France.^[5]

Before the days of professional rugby union, there was further emphasis on Irish club rugby as opposed to the provincial game. During these times the provincial sides were purely representative sides and games were far less frequent than now. Between 1946 and 2002 the sides would meet annually to contest the Irish Interprovincial Championship and on rare occasion would be tested against touring international sides. When rugby union was declared 'open' in 1995, these four teams became the four professional teams run by the Irish Rugby Football Union and therefore much of the history of the side has been made in the modern era.

Leo the Leinster Lion

Leinster Lions (1990s–2005)

Leinster became a professional outfit in the mid-1990s. The "Leinster Lions" name came into existence during the 2001–02 season as the result of a joint marketing initiative between Leinster Rugby and its kit sponsors, the Canterbury Clothing Company. Before the start of the 2004–05 season, the 'Lions' was dropped from the name. It is still used for marketing and branding, in particular the Cubs Club for Junior members of Leinster Rugby.^[6] The Leinster mascot is "Leo the Lion". It was also during this time that the song “Molly Malone” became a match fixture to be sung by the fans. ^[7]

Leinster's first season in the newly formed Celtic League ended in success as the Lions were crowned the inaugural champions, beating rivals Munster Rugby in the 2001–02 final.^[8] In 2002–03, they became only the third team in the history of the European Cup to win all their games in pool play. They also went one step further in the playoffs than the previous season by reaching the semi-finals (for the first time since 1995–96), but lost at home against French side Perpignan, which was accompanied by an unsuccessful season in the Celtic League. The 2003–04 season also ended in disappointment as Leinster slumped to their worst ever league performance and failed to qualify from their European Cup group.

Title misses (2004–2007)

Leinster improved during the 2004–05 season, finishing 3rd, just three points behind the eventual winners, the Ospreys.^[9] Leinster also won all of their pool games in that year's European Cup, and were again among the favourites for the title, however they went out at the quarter final stage to Leicester Tigers.^[10]

The next two seasons of the Celtic League were to end in near misses for Leinster, as they lost out on the 2005–06 and 2006–07 league titles on the final day of the season. These seasons also saw progress in the European Cup. In 2005–06, Leinster progressed to the semi-final but were eliminated by Irish rivals Munster at Lansdowne Road and they reached the quarter-final the following year where they were beaten by eventual winners London Wasps.

European and domestic dominance (2008–2014)

Increasing attendances at Leinster games led to a move across Dublin 4 from Donnybrook Stadium to the redeveloped RDS Arena.

In 2007–08, Leinster failed to qualify from their European Cup pool, but did end the season as Celtic League champions, sealing the title with a 41–8 victory over the Newport Gwent Dragons in front of their home fans at the RDS.^[11]

In the 2008–09 season, Leinster topped their European Cup pool despite away losses to French side Castres and English side Wasps.^[12] Victory over Harlequins in the quarter-finals followed, despite the Bloodgate Scandal. Leinster overcame Munster 25–6 in a semi-final in Dublin's Croke Park that broke the world record attendance for a "club" rugby union game with a crowd of over 82,200.^[13] Leinster won the 2009 European Cup Final in Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, beating Leicester Tigers 19–16 to claim their first European crown.^[14]

The RDS Arena before the 2010 Celtic League Final.

In 2009–10 Leinster was eliminated from the European Cup at the semi-final stage by eventual winners Toulouse. Also despite having topped the Pro12 league during the regular season, Leinster lost the first ever Play-off Final 17–12 on their home ground to the Ospreys.^[15]

In the 2010–11 European Cup, Leinster defeated the top English teams (Leicester Tigers, Saracens & Northampton Saints), as well as top French sides, Toulouse (who were the defending European champions), Racing Metro & Clermont Auvergne, (the French Champions).^[16] to go on to regain their title as champions of Europe in the 2011 European Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Trailing at half time, Leinster scored 27 unanswered points in the second half to beat Northampton 33–22 and claim their second European crown with the biggest comeback in European Cup final history.^[17][18] Leinster were also chasing a Pro12 & European Cup double, but lost 19–9 to Irish rivals Munster in the Pro12 Final.^[19]

In 2011–12 Leinster became only the second side ever to retain the title of European Champions. Leinster emerged unbeaten in group play to top their group^[20] and went on to defeat the Cardiff Blues 34–3 in the quarterfinals,^[21] followed by a 19–15 semifinal victory over ASM Clermont Auvergne.^[22] and defeated Ulster in the first all-Irish final 42–14, recording the most points scored and the most tries scored in a European Cup final as well as becoming the first unbeaten side to win the European Cup.^[23] Once again, Leinster targeted the double, and faced a repeat of the 2010 Pro12 final against the Ospreys. Leinster's domestic title challenge fell at the final hurdle, conceding a final minute try to slump to a one-point defeat, and unable to complete the double despite topping the table in the regular season.^[24]

The 2012–13 campaign proved to be another successful season for Leinster Rugby. The club finished in second place during the regular season of the Pro12 and defeated Glasgow Warriors by a score of 17–15 in their semi-final play-off match on 11 May 2013.^[25] On 17 May, Leinster were crowned champions of the European Challenge Cup after defeating Stade Français 34–13 in the final at their home ground, the RDS Arena.^[26] Leinster successfully completed the double on 25 May, defeating Ulster 24–18 in the Pro12 final to claim their third league championship.^[27][28]

Leinster continued their success in the 2013–14 season by becoming the first team ever to defend the Pro12 title, topping the league in the regular season and defeating Glasgow Warriors 34–12 in their fifth consecutive Pro12 play-off final and also secured their seventh major title in as many years.^[29]

Blooding a new generation (2015 - 2017)

Following a remarkable run of seven major trophies in seven years, Leinsters title run came to an end following the 2013-14 season. The 2014–15 season saw a dip in form, with Leinster finishing in fifth place in the league and failing to make the play-offs. Fortunes in the newly formed Champions Cup were better, with the team reaching the semi-final where they were defeated in extra-time by eventual winners, Toulon. At the end of the season, Head Coach, Matt O'Connor, left the club by mutual consent with former club captain, Leo Cullen, being named as his replacement.

Heineken Cup / Champions Cup

Challenge Cup

Celtic League / Pro14

Pro14

2018–19 Pro14 Table
Conference A
	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TBP	LBP	PTS
1	Glasgow Warriors	6	5	0	1	197	119	+78	28	14	5	0	25
2	Ospreys	5	4	0	1	125	94	+31	14	12	1	0	17
3	Munster	5	3	0	2	174	82	+92	25	9	3	0	15
4	Connacht	6	3	0	3	126	112	+14	14	13	1	2	15
5	Cardiff Blues	5	2	0	3	142	120	+22	15	16	2	3	13
6	Zebre	6	2	0	4	92	146	−54	12	17	2	0	10
7	Cheetahs	6	0	1	5	119	236	−117	17	32	2	1	5
Conference B
	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TBP	LBP	PTS
1	Leinster	5	4	0	1	157	75	+82	21	8	3	1	20
2	Edinburgh	6	3	0	3	134	139	−5	14	19	2	2	16
3	Ulster	6	3	1	2	134	174	–40	14	21	1	1	16
4	Scarlets	5	3	0	2	148	112	+36	19	12	2	1	15
5	Benetton	5	2	0	3	117	138	−21	16	16	2	1	11
6	Dragons	5	2	0	3	83	129	−46	9	20	0	1	9
7	Southern Kings	5	1	0	4	97	169	−72	13	22	2	1	7
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[30] number of matches won the difference between points for and points against the number of tries scored the most points scored the difference between tries for and tries against the fewest red cards received the fewest yellow cards received
Green background indicates teams that compete in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earn a place in the 2019–20 European Champions Cup (excluding South African teams who are ineligible) Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the 2019–20 European Champions Cup Yellow background indicates the fourth-ranked eligible teams in each conference that play-off against each other for the seventh place in the 2019–20 European Champions Cup Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2019–20 European Rugby Challenge Cup. (CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (QF) Losing quarter-finalists. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners.

European Rugby Champions Cup

Pool 1

Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	Diff	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
Leinster	1	1	0	0	52	3	+49	8	0	1	0	5
Toulouse	1	1	0	0	22	20	+2	3	2	0	0	4
Bath	1	0	0	1	20	22	−2	2	3	0	1	1
Wasps	1	0	0	1	3	52	−49	0	8	0	0	0

^[31]

RDS Arena

The RDS Arena

Leinster's current home ground is the RDS Arena.^[34] Games were first played at the RDS during the 2005–06 season, initially just for European Cup games. By the following season however, all games had been moved to the RDS. The RDS has undergone large scale redevelopment since Leinster moved in. The arena now has a mostly seated capacity of 18,500. As the RDS remains a showjumping venue, the North and South stands are removable. A roof has been constructed to cover the grandstand opposite the pre-existing Anglesea stand.^[35] The RDS will be Leinster's home until 2027, as a 20-year lease was signed in 2007.^[36]

In July 2014, it was announced by the RDS and Leinster rugby that a design competition was being held to develop the arena into a 25,000 capacity world class stadium, with work expected to commence on the redevelopment in April 2016.^[37] The selling of naming rights to the arena will be a key component in funding the project, with an initial budget of €20,000,000 being proposed.^[38]

Inside the RDS Arena prior to a Leinster Game

Aviva Stadium

Aviva Stadium prior to Leinster game

For bigger games where the RDS does not have sufficient capacity, Leinster play their games at the Aviva Stadium, which has an all-seater capacity of 51,700. These are often key home games in the European Cup or Pro14 games against domestic rivals. In 2010 they first played a home league game against Munster, the first time the stadium sold out,^[39] and then against ASM Clermont Auvergne.^[40][41][42] Leinster defeated Leicester Tigers at the venue in the 2010–11 European Cup quarter-finals and went on to beat Toulouse in the semi-finals, also held at the Aviva stadium on 30 April 2011, en route to winning their second European Cup.^[43] The following season Leinster hosted Munster, Bath and Cardiff at the Aviva Stadium and remained unbeaten at the ground until December 2012 when they lost 21–28 to ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Donnybrook Stadium

Donnybrook Stadium

Leinster's traditional home over the years has been Donnybrook Stadium in Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Donnybrook consists of a single covered stand and three sides of open terracing. A move across Dublin 4 to the RDS Arena for Leinster was needed to accommodate growing crowds, as the 6,000 capacity stadium had become too small.^[44] For this reason, Leinster have signed a long term lease with the Royal Dublin Society to play home games at the RDS Arena. Donnybrook has since, been improved as a venue with the reconstruction of the grandstand in 2008^[45] and remains an important venue for rugby union in Dublin.^[5] Due to limited space, it is unlikely that Donnybrook will undergo further redevelopment. Leinster A play their British and Irish Cup games in the stadium and the senior team have continued to hold certain pre-season friendlies in the stadium as well as most Leinster schools cup matches being held at the venue.^[46][47]

Academy squad

The Leinster academy squad for 2018–19 is:^[65]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union Ronan Kelleher (year 2) Hooker Ireland Jack Aungier (year 2) Prop Ireland Michael Milne (year 1) Prop Ireland Ryan Baird (year 1) Lock Ireland Oisin Dowling (year 2) Lock Ireland Jack Dunne (year 1) Lock Ireland Scott Penney (year 1) Back row Ireland

Player Position Union Hugh O'Sullivan (year 2) Scrum-half Ireland Patrick Patterson (year 1) Scrum-half Ireland Harry Byrne (year 1) Fly-half Ireland Ciaran Frawley (year 2) Centre Ireland Gavin Mullin (year 2) Centre Ireland Conor O'Brien (year 3) Centre Ireland Jimmy O'Brien (year 3) Centre Ireland Tommy O'Brien (year 2) Centre Ireland Hugo Keenan (year 3) Wing Ireland Jack Kelly (year 3) Wing Ireland Aaron O'Sullivan* (year 1) Wing England Michael Silvester (year 1) Fullback Ireland

British and Irish Lions

The following Leinster players have also represented the British and Irish Lions.^[32] All of the following players have also represented Ireland, unless otherwise noted.

Club captains (professional era)

• Kurt McQuilkin (1997–98) – 1 title (Irish Interprovincial Championship)
• Gabriel Fulcher (1998–99)
• Liam Toland (1999–00 – 2000–01)
• Reggie Corrigan (2001–02 – 2004–05) – 2 titles (Pro14, Irish Interprovincial Championship)
• Brian O'Driscoll (2005–06 – 2007–08) – 1 title (Pro14)
• Leo Cullen (2008–09 – 2013–14) – 6 titles (3 x European Cup, 1 x European Challenge Cup, 2 x Pro14)
• Jamie Heaslip (2014–15)
• Kevin McLaughlin (2015)
• Isa Nacewa (2015–16 – 2017-18) – 2 titles (European Cup, Pro14)
• Jonathan Sexton (2018-19 – present)

Notable overseas players

The following is a list of non-Irish qualified representative Leinster players:

* indicates World Cup winners
† Ben Te'o subsequently represented England at international level

Europe

All players listed below are Irish unless otherwise noted.

European Player of the Year

Inaugurated 2010

Winners

• 2011 – Seán O'Brien
• 2012 – Rob Kearney.

5-man shortlist

• 2011 - Seán O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Isa Nacewa^[66]
• 2012 - Rob Kearney, Jonathan Sexton^[67]
• 2013 - Jamie Heaslip (2)^[68]
• 2015 - Jamie Heaslip (3)^[69]
• 2017 - Garry Ringrose
• 2018 - Scott Fardy, Tadhg Furlong, Jonathan Sexton (2)^[70]

ERC European Dream Team
The following Leinster players were selected in the ERC European Dream Team, an all-time dream team of Heineken Cup players over the first 15 years of professional European rugby. (1995–2010). Both O'Driscoll and Elsom were part of the 2008–09 Heineken Cup winning team.

• Brian O'Driscoll (Centre), 1999–2014
• Rocky Elsom (Flanker), 2008–2009 (Elsom had the fewest Heineken Cup appearances in the team and was the only member born outside of Europe).

European Cup player records

• Most Appearances: (104) Gordon D'Arcy
• Most Tries: (33) Brian O'Driscoll
• Most Points: (583) Jonathan Sexton
• Most Cons & Pens: (203) Jonathan Sexton^[71]

(correct as of 25 November 2017)'

European Cup Individual Awards

• 2004-05 Top try scorer: Shane Horgan, 8 tries.
• 2005-06 Top point scorer: Felipe Contepomi, 129 points.
• 2008-09 Top try scorer: Brian O'Driscoll, 5 tries.
• 2010-11 Top point scorer: Jonathan Sexton, 138 points.
• 2011-12 Top point scorer: Jonathan Sexton (2), 103 points.
• 2014-15 Top point scorer: Ian Madigan, 113 points.
• 2016-17 Top try scorer: Isa Nacewa, 7 tries.

Combined Europe and Pro 14

All players listed below are Irish unless otherwise noted.

• Most Appearances: (257) Gordon D'Arcy
• Most Tries: (69) Shane Horgan
• Most Points: (1,344) Jonathan Sexton
• Most Cons & Pens: (459) Jonathan Sexton

(correct as of 30 August 2018).

Pro 14

All players listed below are Irish unless otherwise noted. Inaugurated 2006-07.

Pro14 Team of the Year
The following Leinster players were listed on the Pro 12 team of the year.

Season	Irish players	Foreign players
2006–07	Jamie Heaslip, Gordon D'Arcy, Denis Hickie	Felipe Contepomi
2007–08	Jamie Heaslip (2), Leo Cullen, Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O'Kelly	Felipe Contepomi (2), Ollie Le Roux, Stan Wright
2008–09	Jamie Heaslip (3), Brian O'Driscoll	Rocky Elsom
2009–10	Jamie Heaslip (4), Brian O'Driscoll (2), Leo Cullen	—
2010–11	Jamie Heaslip (5), Richardt Strauss, Seán O'Brien, Mike Ross	Isa Nacewa
2011–12	Richardt Strauss (2)	Isa Nacewa (2)
2012–13	Ian Madigan	—
2013–14	Sean Cronin, Jordi Murphy, Rhys Ruddock[72]	—
2014–15	—	—
2015–16	Josh van der Flier	Isa Nacewa (3), Ben Te'o
2016–17	Jack Conan, Dan Leavy	—
2017-18	Andrew Porter, Jack Conan (2), Jordan Larmour	Scott Fardy, James Lowe

Pro 14 Player Records

• Most Appearances: (145) Shane Jennings
• Most Tries: (39) Shane Horgan
• Most Points: (877) Felipe Contepomi
• Most Cons & Pens: (302) Felipe Contepomi

(correct as of 26 May 2015).

Pro14 Golden Boot
The Golden Boot is awarded to the kicker who has successfully converted the highest percentage of place kicks during the 22-week regular Pro12 season. The prize has been awarded annually since 2012. (Percentage success rate in brackets)

• 2012 – Jonathan Sexton (90%)
• 2013 – Ian Madigan (87%)
• 2015 – Ian Madigan (87%)

Pro14 Individual Awards

• 2001-02: Top try scorer: Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey (joint), 7 tries each.
• 2005-06: Top point scorer: Felipe Contepomi, 287 points.
• 2006-07: Top try scorer: Jamie Heaslip (joint), 7 tries.
• 2008-09: Top point scorer: Felipe Contepomi (2) (joint), 161 points.
• 2012-13: Top point scorer: Ian Madigan, 186 points.
• 2016-17: Pro 12 Young Player of the Year: Joey Carbery
• 2017-18: Pro 14 Young Player of the Year: Jordan Larmour
• 2017-18: Pro 14 Coach of the Year: Leo Cullen
• 2017-18: Pro 14 Top Try Scorer: Barry Daly, 11 tries.
• 2017-18: Pro 14 Player of the Year Nominee (3-man shortlist): James Lowe

World Rugby Player of the Year

Inaugurated 2001

Players who have made the shortlist (4-6 nominees per year)

• 2001: Brian O'Driscoll
• 2002: Brian O'Driscoll (2)
• 2004: Gordon D'Arcy
• 2009: Brian O'Driscoll (3), Jamie Heaslip
• 2014: Jonathan Sexton
• 2016: Jamie Heaslip (2)