I’M SAD TO SEE BACK OF MATT
BY DAIRE WALSH
EOIN REDDAN admitted yesterday his Leinster team-mates were sad to see coach Matt O’Connor leave the province.
But five days after 44-year-old Australian parted ways with the Blues, scrum-half Reddan insisted the show must go on.
Ahead of Ireland’s clash with the Barbarians at Thomond Park on Thursday, Reddan said: “It’s obviously tough for everyone, no one likes to see that happen.
“As players we backed Matt until the end and now it’s time to back the organisation as well.
“We have to get on with what we do and train and prepare for this game and for what comes next season. It’s not a nice situation. It would be the same if a player had to leave in those circumstances.”
With several players set to be unavailable for the opening weeks of next term’s Guinness Pro12 campaign, Leinster will need to make a wise choice ahead of a difficult 2015/16 season.
Reddan is willing to place his trust in the selection process, and also believes that O’Connor will continue to be successful throughout his career.
He added: “I trust the organisation enough that when they get someone I’ll back him and get on with my own stuff and deliver that as best I can all the time.
“That’s the important thing for a new guy coming in, that whoever it is, that people buy into what he wants.
“There’s a process of selecting that guy and, I suppose, the question really is ‘Do I believe in that process?’. That is what it comes down to and I do.
“I think, in fairness, with Matt he is a good coach and it hasn’t worked out with Leinster this time.
“But I’m sure he’ll do very well wherever he goes and he’ll have no problem getting another club.
“The results didn’t really work out this time, but last year was a very good season.”