IF TADHG FURLONG requires a character reference for his upcoming URC disciplinary hearing, Robin McBryde won’t be found wanting.
Furlong was cited on Monday over an alleged groin-grabbing incident involving Munster’s Gavin Coombes and, if the hearing goes against the 33-year-old tighthead, he is likely to be suspended for Ireland’s Nations Cup fixtures in November.
Reacting to the development, Leinster’s forwards coach McBryde said the process should be allowed to run its course but insisted he would have no hesitation in backing Furlong, given his disciplinary history.
Referee Andrew Brace asked TMO Colin Stanley to review the incident, but no evidence of foul play was identified at the time. Citing Commissioner Peter Ferguson subsequently lodged a complaint under Law 9.27, which covers conduct contrary to good sportsmanship, including grabbing, twisting or squeezing an opponent’s genitals.
A URC disciplinary hearing date has not yet been announced and, speaking as Leinster prepared for Friday’s trip to Connacht, McBryde commented: “It’s going through that process, so just let it take place, really. I haven’t spoken to Tadhg. There’s a process there for things like this.
“I know Tadhg. If I was to give him a character reference, I wouldn’t hesitate. He’s got no history of anything like that.”
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McBryde also warned against speculation while the case is ongoing, adding: “We’re playing guessing games if anybody wants to comment on it, other than Tadhg, really. Just let the process take its course.
“You’d like to think that the good character Tadhg has shown over all the years… to my knowledge, nothing like this has come his way. So, you know, I’d be confident in that. It is what it is.”
He said he had not pursued a further review of the footage, with preparations for Connacht taking priority.
“I didn’t chase it,” said the Welshman. “The process is there. I’ve got bigger fish to fry, we’ve got Connacht coming on Friday. Connacht have built up a head of steam and are going well. They’ll be happy to get us.”
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan backed Coombes after the match, saying he trusted his players would not make such an allegation lightly. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen initially said it looked like Coombes “had changed his mind halfway through that accusation”, before acknowledging that it was a serious matter if the citing commissioner decided to act.
McBryde stressed discipline remained essential to Leinster’s ambitions.
“If you haven’t got discipline, you’re not going to win anything or get into finals,” he said. “Because it’s massive desperation when you give away red cards, yellow cards; you’re not in control of things
“Listen, in the big games, things happen. There’s a process there to go through, so just let that process go.”
Dan Sheehan played at number eight. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
Meanwhile, McBryde was positive about Dan Sheehan’s first start at the base of the scrum, after injuries to Caelan Doris and Jack Conan prompted Leinster to use the Ireland hooker in an unfamiliar role.
“There was nothing there to show that he couldn’t do it again,” McBryde said. “At the end of the day, you want your best rugby players on the field.
“He gets across the gain line, he runs out on the contact, he’s got lovely skills. And that’s what you want from an eight. You want the ball in your eight’s hands as much as possible.”
Sheehan had plenty of carries but began to cramp up, McBryde said, adding that Leinster’s South African tour had meant players doubled up in positions. The 28-year-old had also switched to that role during the Champions Cup win over Sale last season, and was therefore familiar with the role.
McBryde said Sheehan could develop further there with more experience, but Leinster would need to weigh that against his value as “an out-and-out, world-class hooker”.
He remarked that the province were forced to act to an extent and, with Jamison Gibson-Park making his first appearance of the season and his half-back partner Joey Carbery making his first start since returning to Leinster, there were plenty of new factors at play.
“Was it as smooth as it could be? No, it wasn’t, because it was the first time everybody played together,” McBryde reasoned. “We knew that, but was it a risk worth taking? Yes, of course, it was a risk worth taking.
“If you wanted to improve in that position, you’d have to play there a bit more often.”
'I know Tadhg. If I was to give him a character reference, I wouldn’t hesitate'
IF TADHG FURLONG requires a character reference for his upcoming URC disciplinary hearing, Robin McBryde won’t be found wanting.
Furlong was cited on Monday over an alleged groin-grabbing incident involving Munster’s Gavin Coombes and, if the hearing goes against the 33-year-old tighthead, he is likely to be suspended for Ireland’s Nations Cup fixtures in November.
Reacting to the development, Leinster’s forwards coach McBryde said the process should be allowed to run its course but insisted he would have no hesitation in backing Furlong, given his disciplinary history.
The citing relates to an incident in the 37th minute of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby meeting at the Aviva Stadium, when Coombes alleged his genitals had been grabbed.
Referee Andrew Brace asked TMO Colin Stanley to review the incident, but no evidence of foul play was identified at the time. Citing Commissioner Peter Ferguson subsequently lodged a complaint under Law 9.27, which covers conduct contrary to good sportsmanship, including grabbing, twisting or squeezing an opponent’s genitals.
A URC disciplinary hearing date has not yet been announced and, speaking as Leinster prepared for Friday’s trip to Connacht, McBryde commented: “It’s going through that process, so just let it take place, really. I haven’t spoken to Tadhg. There’s a process there for things like this.
“I know Tadhg. If I was to give him a character reference, I wouldn’t hesitate. He’s got no history of anything like that.”
McBryde also warned against speculation while the case is ongoing, adding: “We’re playing guessing games if anybody wants to comment on it, other than Tadhg, really. Just let the process take its course.
“You’d like to think that the good character Tadhg has shown over all the years… to my knowledge, nothing like this has come his way. So, you know, I’d be confident in that. It is what it is.”
He said he had not pursued a further review of the footage, with preparations for Connacht taking priority.
“I didn’t chase it,” said the Welshman. “The process is there. I’ve got bigger fish to fry, we’ve got Connacht coming on Friday. Connacht have built up a head of steam and are going well. They’ll be happy to get us.”
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan backed Coombes after the match, saying he trusted his players would not make such an allegation lightly. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen initially said it looked like Coombes “had changed his mind halfway through that accusation”, before acknowledging that it was a serious matter if the citing commissioner decided to act.
McBryde stressed discipline remained essential to Leinster’s ambitions.
“If you haven’t got discipline, you’re not going to win anything or get into finals,” he said. “Because it’s massive desperation when you give away red cards, yellow cards; you’re not in control of things
“Listen, in the big games, things happen. There’s a process there to go through, so just let that process go.”
Meanwhile, McBryde was positive about Dan Sheehan’s first start at the base of the scrum, after injuries to Caelan Doris and Jack Conan prompted Leinster to use the Ireland hooker in an unfamiliar role.
“There was nothing there to show that he couldn’t do it again,” McBryde said. “At the end of the day, you want your best rugby players on the field.
“He gets across the gain line, he runs out on the contact, he’s got lovely skills. And that’s what you want from an eight. You want the ball in your eight’s hands as much as possible.”
Sheehan had plenty of carries but began to cramp up, McBryde said, adding that Leinster’s South African tour had meant players doubled up in positions. The 28-year-old had also switched to that role during the Champions Cup win over Sale last season, and was therefore familiar with the role.
McBryde said Sheehan could develop further there with more experience, but Leinster would need to weigh that against his value as “an out-and-out, world-class hooker”.
He remarked that the province were forced to act to an extent and, with Jamison Gibson-Park making his first appearance of the season and his half-back partner Joey Carbery making his first start since returning to Leinster, there were plenty of new factors at play.
“Was it as smooth as it could be? No, it wasn’t, because it was the first time everybody played together,” McBryde reasoned. “We knew that, but was it a risk worth taking? Yes, of course, it was a risk worth taking.
“If you wanted to improve in that position, you’d have to play there a bit more often.”
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backing Leinster October Rugby Tadhg Furlong none