Jolly Ollie on another Irish mission
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:40
Calling the shots: Ollie le Roux in Leinster colours
'Retired' Springbok prop Ollie le Roux could be set for a dramatic comeback with Irish province Leinster, in a Magners League encounter with the Cardiff Blues at Arms Park on Saturday.
Le Roux arrived in Dublin on Thursday - as part of pre-planned, three-week coaching visit.
However, a propping crisis at Leinster could force coach Michael Cheika to name Le Roux in his side for the trip to Cardiff.
The veteran South African front row forward - who played in 54 Tests between 1994 and 2002 - had a huge impact for Leinster during his one season, in 2007/08.
Le Roux will also help with the integration of another South African prop, CJ van Der Linde, into the Leinster squad.
However, Van Der Linde's suspension in the Tri-Nations - for a head-butting scrumhalf Sam Cording in Australia's 27-15 win over the Boks in Durban last month - allied to Stan Wright's injury and Stephen Knoop's illness (which forced him out of last weekend's pre-season friendly against the Reds), has created a considerable headache for Cheika ahead of their Magners League opener in Cardiff.
Should Knoop be ruled out of Saturday's match, options will be thin on the ground, with Cian Healy, Ronan McCormack and Academy player Jamie Hagan the other props.
It creates the intriguing proposition of Leinster investigating the possibility of calling up Le Roux, who did so much to provide Leinster with a front row platform last season.
"We can confirm that Ollie is in Dublin for three-weeks to fulfil a long-standing commitment to help with our scrummaging and with the integration of CJ van Der Linde into the squad," a Leinster spokesman told the Irish Independent.
