Matt O'Connor sacked

[Stella]

So Matt O'Connor and Leinster have parted company after two years. I can't say I didn't see this coming but it's still surprising.

This season has been very disappointing but you can't really lay all the blame at O'Connors door. A terrible run of injuries (Healy, O'Brien etc.) coupled with the lack of availability of senior players due to the Player Welfare Program really tied his hands at crucial points in the season. He has also lost key players to retirement (O'Driscoll/ Cullen) and Leo Cullen is only in his first year as a forwards coach.

Having said all that the brand of Rugby Leinster have been playing this season is terrible. We're a long way from the attacking play we saw during the Schmidt era and I think this is the reason why he has been let go. The management of Leinster know what type of Rugby the fans are coming to see and with a massive redevelopment of the RDS Stadium taking place over the next few seasons they cannot afford for attendances to dwindle due to lack of interest (Official attendance at last home game was 11,000 but having attended the match I'd say it was a lot lower than that).

Who should they appoint next? I think they need someone to drive standards on again as Cheika and Schmidt did during their terms. A manager who demands high standards and isn't afraid to tackle the big players when they don't meet them. Maybe Ewen McKenzie could be a good candidate but who ever they pick Leinster can't afford to get it wrong.

Well said!

I've one more question, so would you think the pretty bad season is rather on him /bad luck, injuries...etc./ or the players as well??

He seemd to always blame the circumstances than sort of blame himself, also criticized IRFU player welfare scheme quite a lot.

I'd say with a new coach in it'll take two seasons for Leinster to be back on track, obviously hope I'm wrong...