Reddan: Rabo must get support it deserves
By Daire Walsh
RABODIRECT PRO12:
Ulster v Leinster
AHEAD of their RaboDirect Pro12 showdown with Ulster at Ravenhill this evening (kick-off 7.30pm), Leinster scrum-half Eoin Reddan delivered an impassioned defence of the often-maligned competition which many see as a consolation prize following the province’s disappointing Heineken Cup exit.
“The problem there is that if people see the Rabo as a consolation prize then we’re all in a pretty big mess going forward,” he said.
“When you go to the European table and you’ve got guys in the Premiership and Top 14 basically saying ‘We’re grand’ because they like their competition, people back it and support it.
“Then you’ve got the Rabo, where there’s people constantly knocking it, even though the teams in the Rabo do pretty well. It’s really important, not just for now, but going forward that the whole nation has a competition to be proud of.”
There is a clear frustration on the part of Reddan that more people aren’t buying into the Rabo, and he believes the media has its own role to play in boosting its profile.
“For us [the players], it’s huge and we just have to continue buying into it. But at some stage, you’ve got to ask, ‘why isn’t everyone buying into it?’
“Why are the media reporting that this game wasn’t that tough and I can’t walk for three days later? When you’re critical of something it’s easier, because what you’re saying is that it’s not good enough for me and I expect better from my teams.
“It’s much tougher to watch a game and say ‘That was good,’ because you’re putting yourself out there. I think we probably need a bit more of that.”
A new meritocracy system, where seven teams from the Pro12 will gain access to the new European Rugby Champions Cup, is set to give the competition a fresh lease of life, however, and Reddan can see this having a positive affect overall.
“It’s going to make a huge difference. The more that goes on it, the more important the Rabo becomes. If you finish well in the Rabo now, Europe is there for you.
“It will increase the importance of it,” added Reddan.
A troublesome shoulder injury means that Reddan won’t be risked for tonight’s game by Matt O’Connor, who makes four changes to the side that comfortably overcame Treviso on Good Friday.
Ian Madigan receives the nod at out-half ahead of Jimmy Gopperth, while Jordi Murphy makes way for Shane Jennings in the only alteration to the pack.
Dave Kearney and Gordon D’Arcy return to the back division in place of Darragh Fanning and Noel Reid respectively, and the fully-fit Luke Fitzgerald is a welcome addition to a replacements bench that includes six full internationals.