Leinster Rugby: Encyclopedia II - Leinster Rugby - History

Leinster Rugby - History

The Leinster Branch was formed in 1875. In amateur days the four provinces played against each other in the Inter-provincial Championship and also played touring sides (usually midweek). When rugby union was declared 'open' in 1995, these four teams became the four professional teams ran by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).

Leinster reached the Heineken Cup semi-final in 1995/96 and 2002/03. They were the inaugural Celtic League Champions (01/02) beating rivals Munster Rugby in the Fianl in Lansdowne Road.

The "Leinster Lions" name came into existence during the 2001/02 season as the result of a joint marketing initiative between Leinster Rugby and its kit sponsors, the Canterbury Clothing Company (CCC), but before the start of the 2004/05 season it was decided to drop the 'Lions' from the name.

In 2002/03, they became only the third team in the history of the competition to win all their games in pool play and the first team to do it twice in the 2004/05 season. They also went one step further in the playoffs than the previous season by reaching the semis, but lost at home against French side Perpignan.

The 2004/05 Leinster team also won all of their games in pool play, and were again considered among the favourites for the title. Yet they went out at the quarter final stage to Leicester Tigers.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki