The Leinster branch today confirmed that former Munster coach, Declan Kidney will be replacing Gary Ella as the province’s coach come August 1st. Kidney had been linked with the job despite having signed with Welsh side Gwent Dragons ever since Gary Ella left his post at Leinster on Monday.
Yesterday’s announcement by the Leinster Branch that Gary Ella would no longer be Leinster coach, has left the way open for former Ireland assistant coach Declan Kidney to take over the province.
It was announced today by the Leinster Branch that coach Gary Ella would be leaving the province “with immediate effect”. Ella’s position had been in doubt over recent week’s following speculation in the media that the players were unhappy with his coaching style.
Fresh from his recent Parker Pen Challenge Cup victory with Harlequins, Gavin Duffy has been named as the only uncapped player in the 26-man squad to travel to South Africa.
The doubters of the Celtic League, will be left doubting themselves, after what was an amazing night of rugby.
Donncha O’Callaghan has been ruled out of the Munster side to face Borders, in Scotland on Friday night. The team named by Alan Gaffney for the final game of the season is otherwise strong, with plenty of internationals present.
Embattled Leinster coach Gary Ella has named a strong squad for his side’s match with Gwent Dragons in the final round of the Celtic League on Friday night. Ella will be looking to get away from the speculation and rumour that has dogged him all week. Leinster however have it all to prove. The side hasn’t performed to the level that would be expected by a side with such big names in it, over recent weeks, and they won’t be helped by having to face a Gwent Dragons side who will be hoping that results will go their way and enable them to win the league
Ireland will face the host of the 2007 World Cup in the opening game when the competition kicks off in 2007, following today’s draw in Dublin. Ireland’s group will also contain three other sides who have yet to qualify.
Michael Bradley will be looking to cap off a good season for Connacht with a win on Friday night against Celtic Warriors. With this in mind he has made a number of changes from the side which played against Munster on Friday night with Mark McHugh, who goes into hospital on Friday for an operation, ruled out.
Alan Solomons’ tenure as Ulster coach will end on Friday night regardless of the outcome of their clash with Llanelli. The match will in all likelyhood decide the winner of this year’s Celtic League, and in Ulster’s case a win will be the perfect send off to Alan Solomons and will give the team a Celtic League and Cup double.