Irish Rugby TV: Provinces Value Celtic Cup Experience

Leinster ‘A’ produced a dominant performance to defeat Munster ‘A’ 46-25 at Energia Park and advance to the inaugural final of the Celtic Cup. We spoke to players and coaches from both teams about the tournament.

Munster ‘A’ out-half Bill Johnston, who scored a try and kicked 10 points, may have been disappointed by the result but felt there was a real challenge throughout the inaugural Irish-Welsh development competition.

“In terms of development it was really good, said the 21-year-old. “We got to play back-to-back games. Six in a row meant we could grow as a squad. The standard has been right up there. The last two weeks we’ve face Scarlets and Leinster with PRO14 calibre players on the pitch.”

Leinster ‘A’ coach Trevor Hogan has been pleased with the week-to-week improvements, commenting: “From a coach’s point of view it has been very satisfying, seeing the work-rate from the players week in, week out to get better. The growth and the improvements every week allow us to see that lads are taking things on board.”