The jerseys are a lot, lot tighter.
September 18, 1998 and Gordon D’Arcy is drafted in for his Leinster debut. Three months out of Clongowes Wood College, the 18-year-old had to forgo a summer tour, with Ireland, to complete his Leaving Cert.
D’Arcy, who announced, today, that he will be retiring after the World Cup, begins on the wing, against Llanelli, at Stradey Park, and scores a try in a 33-27 win.
His teammates are a mix of wily veterans, from the amateur days, and fallow youths. They will go on to win a league title, a little under three years later, and graduate, with many, to the national team.
Here is the Leinster line-up from that September day:
Some of D’Arcy’s teammates were a grizzled bunch.
Trevor Brennan
The colourful forward stayed with Leinster until 2001 before moving on to Toulouse. The former Ireland international now fronts a successful rugby tours company.
Martin Ridge
The Blackrock player was 27 when D’Arcy made his debut. He played 20 times for the province and scored five tries.
Craig Brownlie
The Clontarf back-rower appeared 11 times in his only season at the province.
Pat Holden
The Kilkenny lock was another who only lasted the one season at Leinster. He also made 11 appearances. Here he is [above] contesting a lineout with Connacht’s Graham Heaslip, older brother of Jamie.
Derek Hegarty
The Terenure scrum-half played the 1999-2000 season with Leinster before taking up an offer to play with Shannon, and win an AIL title, as cover for Tom Tierney. He also played for Munster.
