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10 Leinster Players You Forgot Existed

10 Leinster Players You Forgot Existed
Conor O'Leary
By Conor O'Leary
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Rugby hasn't always been popular on these shores, and even when it has - there have been some largely forgettable players. Much like the 20 Premier League Footballers You Forgot Existed, there are some fond lost memories of some of these players, and some totally new names.

1. Nathan Spooner
forgotten leinster players

The Australian outhalf only had two years with Leinster, but made a good impression. The twice capped Wallaby - both caps coming against Ireland.

Spooner arrived in Ireland in 2001, taking over the outhalf role from Eddie Hekenui, who is frequently counted amongst the worst imports into Irish rugby. He won the inaugural Celtic League with Leinster and can class his time in Leinster as solid.

2. James Downey
forgotten leinster players

Perhaps more well known for his Northampton days, James Downey actually started out his career in Leinster, before spells at Connacht, Munster and Calvisano lead him to Northampton and then back to Munster.

A product of Belvedere College, Downey played nine times for Leinster back in 2003/04 in his sole season at the province. His path to the 13 jersey (like above), as he wore back then, was blocked by some guy named Brian.

3. Owen Finegan
forgotten leinster players

It was seen as quite a coup for Leinster when they signed an Australian World Cup winner in Owen Finegan for the 2006/07 season.

It's a mark of how bad that season went for Finegan that's he's classed as someone you'd have forgotten played on these shores.

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When Finegan was in him pomp, he won 56 caps for Australia and the lock/flanker was an integral part of the 1999 World Cup winning squad. His old Randwick teammate Michael Cheika brought him to Leinster, where he underwhelmed in 24 games before joining Leicester on a short-term contract.

4. David Holwell
forgotten leinster players

One of the first under the radar signings from Leinster that worked out very well, David Holwell was a crowd favourite in Donnybrook.

Holwell's arrival signalled the beginning of the growth of Leinster as we know today. Holwell only played at Leinster for a year. Holwell allowed Contepomi to move into inside centre as cover for the injured Gordon D'Arcy.

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The duo dovetailed superbly, and Holwell proved such a hit that when he was announced that Holwell was returning to Leinster as cover during an injury crisis in 2008 that Leinster fans rejoiced.

5. Cameron Jowitt

Jowitt was actually a handy blindside flanker for Leinster, although it's poignant that his most memorable moment is more as a beneficiary to Freddie Michalak's moment of madness in that Heineken Cup quarter final.

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Another New Zealand import, Jowitt was a key member of the Leinster backrow, and managed to start several important games before Rocky Elsom arrived.

6. Ollie le Roux
forgotten leinster players
Recommended

Perhaps le Roux shouldn't be in this list, but I'll admit, as I researched this list the name Ollie le Roux came up and a smile and a "Oh yeah, him - he was great".

Having said that, googling Ollie le Roux and the second entry is "Legends Of Leinster" tells you everything you need to know about le Roux. More revered for his personality than his talent - le Roux was still a vital player to Leinster capable of playing all across the front row.

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Of course, while this video isn't from his time in Leinster, it sums up everything that Leinster fans loved about le Roux.

7. Ed O'Donoghue
forgotten leinster players

The curious case of Ed O'Donoghue, the London-born Australian raised Irish eligible lock. O'Donoghue's career started in France before spells at Northampton and Worcester didn't lead to much. He moved back to Queensland Reds, before finally breaking out with Ulster.

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O'Donoghue was a great player for Ulster, and his form there earned him call ups to the Irish Wolfhounds squad. It was a bright time for the lock.

Unfortunately, an ill-fated move south to Leinster started a slow decline in his career. Injuries and poor form meant he only played eight games before he left his contract early.

Further moves to Wasps and Reds haven't seen him reach the heights of previous years.

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8.Shaun Berne
forgotten leinster players

Leinster have had issues with the fly half position for the best part of 15 years. Whether it's as the starter or backup, there are a long list of names that tried and failed, with five of those names featuring here.

Shaun Berne is another of those names. Signed as a utility 10/12 from Bath in 2009, Berne proved very useful in his first season before Ian Madigan started to edge him out. Berne clearly enjoyed his time in Ireland, as after a spell at Calvisiano he returned to Dublin and has been played UBL with Old Belvedere

9. Matt Berquist
forgotten leinster players

Signed to replace Berne, Matt Berquist decided to leave New Zealand as he wasn't getting any gametime behind one Dan Carter, and signed for Leinster to be back up to Johnny Sexton.

Berquist came with a reputation of one of the best goal kickers in New Zealand, but an injury saw Ian Madigan get a chance to establish himself as Sexton's primary back-up.

Berquist managed a grand total of two games - one from the bench in an underwhelming 70 minutes in blue. His contract wasn't renewed after a season, and he was shipped off to Treviso.

10. Andrew Goodman
forgotten leinster players

You may have noticed a trend. First there was Shaun Berne, then Matt Berquist, and finally Andrew Goodman. More of an inside centre who could play 10 rather than an outhalf who could play centre like Berne.

Goodman had an unusual route to professional rugby, taking up a two year deal in Japan when he was in his mid-twenties.

He was only here for a year, and is another that can consider his Leinster career as solid rather than a disappointment.

See Also: Balls Remembers: A Profile Of The Leinster Heineken Cup Team In 1995
See Also: Rugby Players You Forgot Existed
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