Other stories from rugby
Tiger stability
It's a continuity thing. It's also a forward monopoly. The Leicester Tigers consistently prove the theory that forwards win matches and backs decide by how much.
The turnover of head coach has been regular enough, Marcelo Loffreda's becoming the sixth such appointment since Bob Dwyer became their first director of rugby in 1996. But with a coaching staff largely made up of former players, the ethos of the club is rarely altered.
The Tigers are also notable for the strength of personality they send onto the pitch. Dean Richards seemed irreplaceable as a captain until Martin Johnson stepped into the breach in 1989 - the same year he led the Lions to a famous Test series victory in South Africa. When Johnson eventually stepped aside in 2005, Martin Corry's progression to the captaincy was seamless.
DIRECTORS OF RUGBY
Bob Dwyer 1996-1998, Dean Richards 1998-2004, John Wells 2004-2005, Pat Howard 2005-2007, Richard Cockerill (interim while Loffreda was at World Cup with Argentina), Marcelo Loffreda 2007- present.
ONFIELD LEADERS - THREE ERAS:
Dean Richards 1982-1997. Lieutenants - John Wells, Martin Johnson.
Martin Johnson 1989-2005 (captain 1997-2005). Lieutenants - Neil Back, Martin Corry.
Martin Corry 1997-present (captain 2005-present). Lieutenants - Ben Kay, Lewis Moody.
Irish in Leicester
Despite the return to Leinster of Shane Jennings and Leo Cullen, the Irish contingent at Welford Road remains six strong. However, only four, at a push, are expected to feature this afternoon.
Geordan Murphy is the resident fullback, Frank Murphy is holding down the scrumhalf slot in the absence of Harry Ellis, and Johnny Murphy and Paul Burke are named as replacements.
Johnny Murphy hails, like his namesake Geordan, from Newbridge College and made an impressive two-try impact off the bench in last week's victory over Cardiff.
Gavin Hickie and Ian Humphreys both have featured regularly for the Tigers' development team and in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Leinster v Leicester
1996/97, Pool, Leinster 10 Leicester 27 (Donnybrook) This result ended Leinster's interests while Leicester progressed to the final, where they lost to Brive 28-9.
1997/98, Pool, Leinster 16 Leicester 9 (Donnybrook) Leinster sullied this victory by losing their next match, to Milan, while Leicester sought revenge, winning 47-22 at Welford Road. The Tigers lost a quarter-final to Pau 35-18.
1999/2000, Pool, Leinster 27 Leicester 20 (Donnybrook) Leinster did the double on Leicester, 32-10 at Welford Road, but the Tigers had already taken leave of the competition.
2004/05, European Cup quarter-final, Leinster Lions 13 Leicester Tigers 29 (Lansdowne Road)
A crowd of 48,500 turned out to see the Tigers pack demolish a strange Leinster selection: an unfit Keith Gleeson and inexperienced Ciarán Potts were preferred to Shane Jennings and Victor Costello in the back row.
APRIL 2005 LINE-UPS
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, F Contepomi, D Hickie; D Holwell, G Easterby; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, R Nebbett; L Cullen, M O'Kelly; C Potts, E Miller, K Gleeson. Replacements: V Costello for Potts 48 mins; G D'Arcy for Contepomi 52 mins; S Jennings for Gleeson 57 mins.
LEICESTER TIGERS: S Vesty; G Murphy, O Smith, D Gibson, L Lloyd; A Goode, H Ellis; G Rowntree, G Chuter, D Morris; M Johnson (capt), L Deacon; L Moody, M Corry, N Back. Replacements: S Bemand for Ellis 33-40 mins; A Healey for Vesty 74 mins.
Grow a Mo for Hambo
Those attending the RDS today or just watching on Sky Sports will notice some strangely groomed Tigers, more akin to a gang of Hells Angels bikers, as several players have adopted some spectacular beards in the name of charity.
It was noticeable during last week's victory over Cardiff, Andy Goode and Geordan Murphy particularly standing out with heavy handlebar moustaches.
The former Munster scrumhalf Frank Murphy adopted a neater tash that makes him look like a Spanish conquistador.
All well and good if you are winning.
The idea is to raise funds and awareness for the Matt Hampson Trust and spinal research.
In March, 2005 the Leicester and England under-21 prop Hampson was left paralysed from the neck down after a collapsed scrum.
"It's a great cause," said Geordan Murphy. "All the lads are keen to get involved so the look will hopefully last for the full month (of November). Matt's a fantastic individual and everyone here at Tigers wants to do whatever we can to help."
Other English Premiership clubs, Bath for one, have adopted the same, eh, policy.
