Leinster coach Leo Cullen. (Photograph by David Rogers/Getty Pictures)
- Friday’s top-of-the-table URC conflict might be the daybreak of a brand new teaching rivalry.
- Leinster’s Leo Cullen and Stormers counterpart John Dobson each have passionate bonds with their respective areas.
- The Stormers beat Leinster 20-13 when the groups met in Cape City final season.
Friday might mark the beginning of a brand new storied URC rivalry when the respective head coaches of the highest two groups sq. off.
Leinster boss Leo Cullen and Stormers mentor John Dobson just lately each dedicated their long-term futures to their franchises.
Leinster (71 factors) are high of the URC standings after successful all 15 of their matches, whereas defending champions the Stormers (59 factors) are second with 11 wins from 15.
The Stormers beat Leinster 20-13 in Cape City final season, however the Irish fielded a largely second string aspect for the Spherical 17 encounter.
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Each coaches have nice affinity to their respective areas.
Cullen was raised close to Dublin and spent most of a profitable taking part in profession with Leinster. The previous lock performed for his hometown membership 219 occasions, captaining Leinster to a few Champions Cup titles. He coached coached Leinster to 4 successive URC wins (then known as PRO14) in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Dobson is a Western Province/Stormers man via and thru. He’s the son of the late Paul Dobson, a highly-respected former referee, instructor and writer.
Dobson, who performed hooker, was a membership stalwart within the Western Province and in addition represented WP League at provincial stage.
He made his mark as a coach of UCT Ikeys within the Varsity Cup, earlier than progressing to WP’s junior groups and ultimately coach of the senior workforce.
Dobson received the Currie Cup with WP in 2017 after they upset the Sharks in Durban. He grew to become Stormers head coach in 2020 and led the aspect to the inaugural URC title final 12 months.
Cullen and Dobson have instilled a tradition of success at their respective groups and are in a position to get the very best out of gamers and their teaching colleagues.
“For me the benchmark within the south has all the time been the Crusaders and I see Leinster because the Crusaders of the north. They set the usual and they’re what we because the Stormers wish to be when it comes to success and continuity,” Dobson stated.
“I’ve enormous admiration for what Leo has achieved as a participant and a coach and large respect for Leinster as one of many main lights in world membership rugby. It will be an enormous problem for us on Friday, however it would give our gamers a sign of the place they’re when it comes to defending the title.
“To go to Dublin and win is the largest away achievement and that’s the reason I rated Jake’s (White) Bulls semi-final win in opposition to Leinster because the match of the league. We hope to emulate that great achievement, and if not on Friday, then within the last.”
Friday’s conflict kicks off at 21:35 (SA time).
