And on the Eighth day, God created BOD

It's only hitting home now, that we were so lucky to have him on our team. Yes, it was and still is a bit cliché, to say that "Brian O'Driscoll is the best player for Ireland" but he actually is ? Think about his record, captaining his Country, his Province and the British and Irish Lions. Only somebody with a significant talent and gift would be able to achieve this ... As a player he is by far one of the most intelligent and wise players to have played for Ireland, his ability to read the game was second nature to him, being at the right place at the right time was his forte. At times he came in and out of games, but even then he was picking his moments, often coming out on top at heroic moments, having him save the day again and again for his team. It's sad to see him go, maybe not now but it will happen. And my guess is that it'll be when he plays another fantastic match, to go out on a high note, to make it all the more dramatic. He served his country well and is a role model to us all. He as a person is fantastic at persevering, during the 2013 Six Nations campaign, he sustained a concussion,a double head wound and an ankle injury (source; the Irish times) all in his part for his country. He is not only a persevering-heroic-genius-inspiration, he is a genuine down to earth man and that's what separates him from the football superstars. Personally when seeing him pass in the street he has always had the courtesy to smile or talk back to you and that's why in my opinion he is somewhat the people's hero.

- And If your reading this Brian, which you probably won't, when and if you have a son, tell him there's no pressure.

Promising players

Leinster A's up and coming players.

In the Leinster squad at the start of the year, a number of players have drifted in and out of the Leinster 23 man squad, replacing another or either being given a chance. Some of the players were given the opportunities to have a little experience under their belt, some really did experience competitive professional rugby and loved it, others not so much.

One player that really did make an impact on their chance was Brendan Macken. He played exceptionally in his matches against Newport Dragons and the Scarlets  (starting both matches). In his match against the Scarlets he intercepted a pass and scored a try, effectively sealing the win with a fifth try for the side. He had a solid performance giving Joe Schmidt a good impression for the future. He will add a lot to the provincial side and Ireland when given the chance. He has however been on the scene for a little while, having his first appearance against Glasgow Warriors in 2010. This was short lived as he then became a solid player with the A side. He did however make several appearances with the Irish u20's (13 in total). He is only young being only 21, he still has time. In my opinion he can makes his way through the ranks pretty quickly. His first objective, being to make the 23 man squad on the Leinster squad, and actually having regular appearances to their matches as a sub. Occasionally playing for the Irish wolfhounds, will add another bit to his career, in effort to make the starting Irish squad in the next 5 or so years. This said, given that Gordon Darcy and Brian O'Driscoll retire he should make the Irish squad for the 2019 world cup.

Profile and Background

Paddy Jackson Profile.

Paddy Jackson is quite a spectacle to observe on the pitch, in open play he strings the centers formidably to create space and opportunities. When he was only 18, he was playing with Ireland under 20's in 2011 in the 6 Nations, he was quite obviously far superior for his age. Playing at an international level for his country 2 years younger than the rest of his comrades really is a feat in its own. He for an outhalf or any other player on the pitch is fully capable of tackling anybody, although this isn't exactly his forte, this is where he stands out from all of the other somewhat grabby tacklers for 10's. His composure is second to none, although he had a rocky start to the Heineken cup final last year against Leinster experience will sort itself out, he is still only 20. Fresh out of school he has made a quick enter to the International limelight, playing for Irish Wolfhounds against Fiji in the Guinness series, he successfully made 5 conversions.

                                    Before Entering the professional scene in club and international rugby he attended Methodist College in Belfast. In his first year out of school he played for Dungannon RFC in Ulster, he made the achievement of standing in the top point scorers in the All Ireland League at only 19 years. He in my opinion ideally will move into first center and play along side Jonathan Sexton. In his eyes I suppose he is going to make the long term goal of overtaking him, although this is very unlikely as his only chance of this, will be if Sexton falls victim to an injury. He will have to contend with a good few up and coming first centers, in under 18', 20's level and club academy level. He has though got a very promising career in front of him, how he uses his gift of time will be another issue altogether weather to move full time or stay at 10. 

Leinster Schools Rugby

Leinster Schools Senior, Junior, Vinnie Murray and Fr.Godfrey Cup Draw.

Seinor Cup draw.

Pres Bray vs Kilkenny 

Clongowes Wood vs Qualifier 2

Kings Hospital vs Newbridge 

Terenure College vs Belvedere College

St Micheals vs Castleknock

Roscrea vs Qualifier 1

St Marys vs CBC Monkstown

Blackrock vs Gonzaga

Junior Cup Draw 

Blackrock vs Qualifier 1

Clongowes Wood vs St Micheals

St Marys vs Kings Hospital

Belvedere College vs Kilkenny 

Roscrea vs St Gerards 

Terenure College vs Gonzaga

CBC Monkstown vs Castleknock

Qualifier 2 vs Newbridge

Vinnie Murray Cup

CBS Naas vs Wesley College

CUS vs St Andrews College

The High School vs De La Salle Churchtown

St Gerards vs Templeogue College

CBS Wexford vs Skerries C.C

Mount Temple vs St Patricks Navan

M.T / St.P vs Newpark Comprehensive 

Fr.Godfrey Cup

St Andrews vs St Patricks Navan

St.A / St.P vs St Conleths

CUS vs Pres Bray

Wesley College vs  The High School

Moyne C.S vs St Coumbas

The end of an era for the Prop.

"The Prop stigma"

The way people see props today is as, heavy, unfit, and uncoordinated overgrown men running from ruck to ruck. If anybody were to blame for this, I'd say, Phil Vickery, (ex England International, British Lions, Gloucester and Wasps, tight head prop) Weighing in at 125 kilos, he was quite heavy. He wasn't exactly mobile, compared to the modern prop... This first was apparent when he was playing for the Lions tour in 2009 and was opposed to Tendai Mtawarira, (otherwise known as "Beast") he was to be perfectly honest, beaten without dignity.

"Census Johnston, weighing 138kg"

The new era of  lighter, leaner faster props has began without a doubt began. Undoubtedly one of the best props is Tendai Mtawarira, weighing 116 kilos, however on average prop weigh from anywhere between 105 and 120 kilos, any weight heavier than this will take its toll on the players speed. Having to keep up with today's games speed, props are focusing more on being lean and efficient than pure bulk. Irish prop Cian Healy (Irish International and Leinster rugby player)  is one of the best of his age. Weighing only 112 kilos

he has already made his entry into the spotlight of the media, I personally think he has alot of potential to become one of the best props in the world, in the coming 5-6 years. I think he will make a big impact in this years lion tour in June. (Given he is selected, which he will be)

Tendai Mtawarira.