Rabo Direct Pro 12 Final 2013, Leinster rugby, Ulster Rugby, Joe Schmidt, Mark Anscombe
Gardiner Street is home to some of Dublin’s finest family owned Hotels, Guesthouses and Tourist Hostels.
This being the last week of the domestic season, mind games between the rival New Zealand coaches, desperate to capture the Rabo Direct Pro 12 title, go up a notch.
For Joe Schmidt it’s about leaving Leinster without the stain of three consecutive runner-up finishes in league finals. That would represent the only black mark in an otherwise phenomenal tenure.
For Mark Anscombe it’s about backing up Ulster’s perfect start to a campaign, which faltered during the illogical international window and was almost ruined by a chronically overcrowded infirmary.
This week his only concern is All Black tighthead prop John Afoa’s hamstring.
“Yeah, he’s progressing nicely,” said Anscombe. “It’s not a tear, just a slight strain, just been niggling and in the position he plays you got to be careful it doesn’t go.”
Leinster also refuse to rule Seán O’Brien out of contention, despite a knee injury that prompted British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland to say on Monday his club season was over.
Gatland went so far as to state O’Brien would be doing well to be fit for the Queensland Reds game on June 8th. And that he would be in Lions camp henceforth.
‘Better condition’
Those comments angered the Leinster machine. Sure enough, late Monday night we got the following “update” from the Lions after “consultation” with Leinster: “Given the proximity to the tour we are grateful to Leinster for being able to assess Seán. He is in better condition than we thought and he continues his recovery at pace.”
With nothing definitive conjecture reigns. Afoa is expected to play, O’Brien is not. Either that’s the case or Gatland was telling fibs. But why would he?
All told, it left a bad taste in the mouth.
Chris Henry is expected to recover from a knee strain/knock to start Saturday but Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy have been put on ice due to a triple-concussion and a groin strain respectively.
Expect Afoa to be added to the starting XV that beat the Scarlets 28-17 on May 10th, with Declan Fitzpatrick making way.
Iain Henderson will probably be benched as Anscombe goes with Robbie Diack on the blindside and Dan Tuohy partnering Johann Muller in the secondrow.
Ulster’s impact options look inferior to Leinster’s, although Henderson and scrumhalf Paul Marshall can arrive if more urgency is demanded.
Brian O’Driscoll will return after recovering from a back spasm.
‘Good shape’
“Yeah, yeah I’m feeling miles better this week,” he told the Second Captains podcast on irishtimes.com. “At a push I could have played on Friday but with this coming up and the next six weeks I would hopeful I will be in good shape to take the pitch.”
O’Driscoll left us in no doubt about Leinster’s feeling of unfinished business. “The previous year against Munster when we won the Heineken the week before I think we just got out played but I think we threw it away last year (against the Ospreys). It really took the gloss off winning back to back Heineken Cups. I hope we are going to use that hurt.”
On the flip side, Anscombe’s men will use an even fresher open wound.
Their comprehensive Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Saracens in Twickenham on April 6th stalled any talk of Ulster progress.
They didn’t make any, but there were plenty of excuses. Muller tore his bicep in the opening minutes, Afoa had just come off a long haul flight, Marshall was knocked out for the third time in a month and Tommy Bowe wasn’t fit enough to start.
“If we had the preparation we’ve had this week I would have been a lot happier going into the Saracens game,” said Anscombe. “We’ve got no excuses, if we don’t do the job Saturday we will have been beaten by the better team.”
Gardiner Street Dublin for All Your Hospitality needs
Gardiner Street Dublin is one of Dublin’s best known Georgian Streets; Gardiner Street Dublin is historically, culturally, politically and architecturally important due to its unique history (Unique History).
It is one of those essential things that make a Dublin City Break or Holiday in Ireland reach another level. If you don’t have local knowledge, or know what is on the menu, you will struggle to get the best value for your money and the best out of your precious time. That is why we have compiled Gardiner Street Dublin; this is a useful insiders-guide for all things Dublin. As Dublin’s only Guide that is based on the first-hand experience of our writers, we aim to reveal Dublin’s hidden treasures as well as offering guidance to Dublin’s better-known landmarks (Our Gardiner Street walk).
Lower Gardiner Street south leads from Mountjoy Square to the fine stone Georgian Custom House overlooking the River Liffey. Gardiner Street is home to some of Dublin’s finest family owned Hotels, Guesthouses and Tourist Hostels. Gardiner Street is renowned for its Irish Hospitality including the Famous Ned Keenan’s Pub. Gardiner Street is a central location and a focal point for public transport and day tour vendors such as Wild Rover Tours, departing The Townhouse Hotel and Globetrotters Tourist Hostel.
The DART line crosses near the intersection with Beresford Place behind the Custom House and this end is only a few minutes’ walk from Connolly station, and around the corner from Lower Gardiner Street is the Luas red-line stop at Busáras. Lower Gardiner Street, is also part of Dublin City Council’s Inner Orbital Route, however, pedestrian crossing points are conveniently located and allow for safe and easy road crossing. Middle and Upper Gardiner Street are separated from the lower street by the west-side of Mountjoy Square, a Dublin Georgian square noted for its cultural, historical and architectural connections (Our FREE Tour Guide).
