Now is the time to enjoy the Leinster phenomenon

FRENCH NOTES:Despite yesterday's loss in the RaboDirect Pro 12 final to the Ospreys Leinster have been a sensation to watch this season, writes MATT WILLIAMS

NICOLAUS COPERNICUS was a 15th-century Polish astronomer and philosopher. His life’s work was trying to establish that the Earth was not the centre of the universe. To support his theory he asked: “How likely is it that we are at the absolute centre of things? What are the odds that we are so exceptional that the universe moves around us?”

Regarding the Earth, Nic was right on the money.

If Nicolaus were philosophising on rugby today he would not be too happy with Leinster because they are at the centre of the club rugby universe.

In my opinion Leinster are the best club team in the world. I have made no secret of my deep affection and respect for both the club and its players, past and present. Prior to today, fearing a perceived bias, I have been reluctant to say this publicly.

Today it’s different. Res ipsa loquitur is the Latin law phrase that means, Things speak for themselves. The actions of this team do all the talking. They have been a sensation to watch. Running rugby at its zenith. The performances of the entire squad through both the RaboDirect and the Heineken Cup, has been extraordinary. The winning of the Heineken Cup and making the final of the RaboDirect Pro12 is only the icing. The season’s performance is the cake.

From a technical perspective the precision of their passing and the players’ understanding of the simple, yet highly effective attacking systems is a thing of beauty. The speed and accuracy of the clearouts and the pace of the liberation of the ball is a study in precision. Leinster are the world’s leading thinkers in attacking rugby. They may not have some of the individual power of the Polynesian Super players from the Chiefs or Crusaders but their systems of play as a team are in my opinion, superior.

The quality of their defence is of the highest standard. Their tackling is technically and physically superb. The system that “delivers the defender to the ball carrier” is simple and ruthlessly efficient. It takes a high quality attack to break down the Leinster “D” system.

Joe Schmidt, Jono Gibbes and your staff, stand up and take a bow. You can do no more than get your team to be the best. Perfection is impossible, but excellence is attainable and Leinster are excellent.

Powering all this is the internal drive of the Leinster players. Leadership from the playing group is the most important element of any team’s performance. Without demeaning the role of the coach in any way, player leadership is the most important element. If the players demand of themselves and each other then the team has a beginning. If the players expect to win, believe in the coaches’ wisdom and are prepared to work exceptionally hard they will have positive progress.

When the playing group sacrifices their own ego for the good of the team and accepts ownership for every on-field event, you have a champion side. Leinster’s internal drive is equal to any I have witnessed.

This is best exemplified in the dying moments of the Heineken Cup Final.

Ulster were beaten and understandably wishing the clock would hurry up and end their pain, as the day had overawed some of them. A lesser team than Leinster would have coasted through the last moments.

Instead we witnessed the ruthlessness and pride in performance that typifies the truly great teams. The Leinster players demanded more of each other. They had their foot pressing on Ulster’s throat. Without remorse, Leinster made the conscience decision to stamp down on Ulster’s windpipe with all their collective rugby might.

Champion teams have the killer instinct. The close-up on TV of Jamie Heaslip’s eyes, as he demanded more from his fellow players, revealed the killer within. I loved what I saw. Jamie is developing into a future Irish and Lions captain.

Leinster’s mindset determined their performance. As Sean Cronin crossed for the final try, the celebration was not just of an historic victory, but of the mental determination and toughness required to be a champion team. The players were exuberant about their own ruthless and precise character. It was the stuff only the great teams are capable of.

There is no doubt we are in the middle of a Leinster dynasty and there is nothing to suggest it is anywhere near its end. Sexton, Healy, Heaslip, O’Brien and Kearney are the new leaders. They understand what it takes to be champions. They have begun to take ownership from Leo, Gordon and Brian. They will grow it and pass it on to the next generation.

This Leinster team is not the ordinary or the everyday. For however long the dynasty lasts, enjoy it. Drink it deeply and joyously.

During the Roman Empire, generals returned from a victorious campaign, were granted the honour of marching into Rome and accepting the rapturous adulation of the citizens. The general, riding in his golden chariot at the head of his cohorts, saluted the wild applause of the grateful Plebeians. A slave, provided by the Senate, stood quietly behind the general, whispering in his ear, “This too shall pass”. All glory swiftly departs. A sporting dynasty is linked by a silk thread. Gossamer thin, it connects “the welter of the seasons” to each other. It is unspeakably fragile. Once it is broken it is gone forever and can never be rejoined.

I say this with no joy, but you only have to look at Munster’s current situation to comprehend this truth. It does not matter if you are or are not a Leinster supporter. Next season go and witness their play. Take your children, so that in the years to come, they can say: “I saw that Leinster team.”

Especially, take them to see Brian O’Driscoll. For however long Brian decides to continue to play, do not take him for granted. He is without doubt the best Irish player of all time and one of the greatest the game has ever produced. He is unique, iconic and he is ours. Go and watch him play for Leinster because that is his home and he is supreme in his own back yard. He has done more than anyone to create today’s Leinster. The magical way he played in the Heineken final, seven days after knee surgery, defies description and belief. His attitude and enthusiasm for success is an example to us all.

As Copernicus suggests, to be at the centre of the universe is highly unlikely. Enjoy Leinster’s unique situation while it lasts, because once it is over, and they are gone, you will never see the likes of them again.