Leinster coach Guy Easterby has suggested that the province will not bring in a foreign replacement should Brian O'Driscoll retire.
O'Driscoll's future beyond the end of this season is unclear, but Easterby still feels that the former Ireland captain and new father still has plenty to offer.
"From our point of view he has still got a lot to offer," said Easterby to the Irish Independent.
"He will know himself, he has had a new baby so God knows how that is going to affect his life. He has got some big decisions to make and he is very capable of making them on his own. He is certainly one we would look to have around.
"Brian is a mature guy - we have been speaking to him constantly with the things that have been coming up in his life to make sure he is right.
"It is not like we are going to go outside of Irish players. We can't just contract foreign players.
"If you were waiting on a foreign player for a spot and they needed to know then maybe. Luckily this time we haven't got that sort of time pressure on. It is about making the right decision and us being happy.
"Brian was never going to go on forever. I don't think we would be allowed get in a world class centre because of Casey Laulala down in Munster covering the position.
"Replacing Brian with another Brian is impossible. It is something we are aware of and we just have to get on with that and deal with it."
Comments
Jhamer25 says...
You said it yourself he got confused in defence. AT a high level you shouldn't make a sympol mistake like that. Also he attempte to tackle him and look what happened. Proves he is weak in defence.
I do like ulster but i will support every other welsh region before them. I'm not saying i will go down to ravenhill to support them but if they are in the final this year i would support them other than any other foreign club
Posted 17:58 14th February 2013
Spartacus says...
@JHamer25 - not sure what you think the link shows, but I see the 2 Ireland centres getting horribly confused over positioning and tackle responsibility to the point where neither can make the right tackle. See no reason to write a player off though. No allegiance to any Irish team btw.
Posted 10:08 14th February 2013
Noshonmescrote says...
'I don't think we would be allowed get in a world class centre because of Casey Laulala down in Munster covering the position.'
Covering the position of 'world class centre'? Is he? is he really? Hmm... must hire his agent.
Posted 01:23 14th February 2013
Jhamer25 says...
leinster_goy
actually im welsh and i support the scarlets and oh wait isn't george north playinf for the scarlet now. You know him the man who SMASHED mcfadden and helped us win the grand slam last year. I'm sure you can recall him, if not just keep watching that link
Oh and actually i neither really like muster or leinster. Not for any reason, but my favourite irish province has always been Ulster
Posted 20:28 13th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Awww, their goes my evil plan to start a rumour about Sonny Bill Williams signing for Leinster. WAIT! Mr Easterby is obviously laying a smokescreen!
Posted 09:36 13th February 2013
leinster_goy says...
@Jhamer25
munster man are we? why ask. i can tell from the whining tone and poor syntax
Posted 08:10 13th February 2013
Jhamer25 says...
Dont worry there is always mcfadden. HAHAHAH Oh wait now i see what you mean. Lets all just take some time to look at this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72CC9AaoNx0.
Oh what a good tackler :-L
Posted 20:55 12th February 2013
J_HDK says...
10 Madigan 12 Mcfadden 13 O'Malley
Posted 17:13 12th February 2013
PatrickH says...
Tommy Bowe is the one I see as being the replacement ready to go now.
Cave or McSharry in a couple of years. I think Ealrs' defense is a little weak for international center.
Posted 16:48 12th February 2013
papachinzo says...
Why would they, they have some great young centre's in O'Malley and Macken...
Posted 16:02 12th February 2013
TurtyTree says...
Who are the contenders at home for his spot?
Posted 15:13 12th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Why retire. International maybe, club i doubt it. Dodge the nappies and do another year or two.
Posted 13:11 12th February 2013
leinster_goy says...
good news. this will give Mallers some valuable time to develop. needs to work on his tackling and beef himself up a bit more, though
Posted 12:37 12th February 2013