LEINSTER COACH LEO Cullen has hailed the ‘unique’ achievements of Eoin Reddan after the scrum-half confirmed he will retire after Saturday’s third Test against South Africa.
The pair spent the early part of their careers on opposing sides — with Leinster and Munster, then Leicester and Wasps — before Reddan followed Cullen back to Ireland and helped bring two more Heineken Cups to his adopted province.
“Eoin has been a key figure for Leinster Rugby,” Cullen said in a statement on the club website today.
His contribution over the years to the success of the team both on-field, and off-field in his role with the leadership group, has been immense and he leaves a lasting impression on all those that were lucky enough to work with him on a daily basis.”
Cullen didn’t need to point much further than the nine medals Reddan had earned (for winning three Heineken Cups, two Six Nations, two Pro12s, a Premiership and a Challenge Cup) to illustrate the impact the impact the 35-year-old has had on four different teams.
“What he achieved over his whole career representing four clubs and the trophies he won with Wasps, Leinster and Ireland is unique. He was a brilliant athlete and he achieved a huge amount at the very highest level. Hopefully he can finish on a high this weekend which would be a great way to end it all.
“Eoin will definitely be missed but also the wider Reddan family and his dad Don in particular who rarely missed a Leinster away trip and was always a huge supporter of Eoin and of this team.
“We wish Eoin well in the next chapter of his life and thank him sincerely for his contribution to Leinster.”
On the other side of the equator, Ireland wing Keith Earls was also paying homage to his fellow Limerick man.
“He had a phenomenal workrate. He was always pushing others to get to the standards that he played with and played in.
At times, when he came off the bench, you could feel the intensity going up and that’s what he brings.
“He just gives it everything. You could see at times when he’s sucking diesel but he’s so experienced, even when he’s sucking diesel he can get the basics done really well and get a backline going.”
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