Contepomi joins Leinster

Felipe Contepomi and Nathan Spooner probably won't meet. Yesterday the Leinster's newest signing and Argentinian test outhalf was unveiled to the media at a press conference just a few days after Spooner was informed that his services were no longer required.;

Contepomi is probably blissfully unaware of the preamble that pre-empted his arrival in Dublin on a four year contract but for coach Matt Williams the last week has been especially difficult. He was responsible for not renewing the contracts of six players and this was articulated at the press conference.

Simon Keogh, Ben Willis and Andy Dunne, all of whom have found new employment at Harlequins, Adam Magro who is heading to university in London, Liam Toland (back in the army for the past year) and Spooner were all released. In a brief statement Williams wished the players concerned every success in their rugby careers before explaining his decision in a terse statement.

"We didn't seek to re-contract these players for a number of reasons including injury concerns and that, overall, they just weren't getting games and putting pressure on the players in front of them." In a newspaper article over the weekend, Spooner outlined his anger and disappointment at being cut and the manner in which it was done.

Williams conceded to being disappointed at some of the accusations made in the piece. "The thing you have got to say is that Nathan came out in that article (a reference to an article in the Irish Times several weeks ago) saying what a good job we were doing, how fantastically well we were organised. He gets his contract pulled and the whole world starts falling down.

"You sack nine (stet) people and that's (the fallout) going to happen especially in our organisation in which you have a very strong first fifteen . We felt we had a lot of guys there that just weren't contributing to the sort of level they should have.

"You only have to look at some of the other guys like Aidan McCullen, David Quinlan, Niall Treston and Gavin Hickie that have come through; some of the other guys didn't. We told them early. With the 20/20 vision that hindsight gives you by doing that they (players) just have to go through the motions and it gets a bit bitter and twisted. If you tell them late they get cross because you didn't tell them early.

"When you have guys that aren't making it and you let them go, there is no easy way around it. The general comment around (the players) was that everyone felt sorry for him (Spooner). They felt it was very harsh. The boys were harsh on me and thought it was hard but they were disgusted the way it was aired." Williams is philosophical about the flack he has received: "The natural reaction is to have a lash at the coach because I make the decision. There was an error in the article saying it was an IRFU decision. It wasn't. It was my decision. I had to do what I believed was right for the team. It's a professional decision." It was only last Wednesday that the 25 year old 29 times capped Contepomi confirmed - terms were eventually agreed on Friday - that he would became a Leinster player, leaving Bristol after three seasons.

Contepomi well wrapped against the cold explained why he turned down the delights of Stade Francais, Leicester and Bath for Leinster. "Playing against them is what persuaded me to come here. They were the best team I played. They have so many good players and don't have any weak place to try and penetrate.

"When I was given the opportunity with such quality individual players and a game that I would like to play it was an easy decision." Williams in reference to his new signing admitted: "It is well documented that we were seeking a world class number 10. We are delighted to have secured a four year deal, with Felipe, one of the world's top playmakers and goalkickers. I am delighted that he is coming to play here." Leinster also announced that several young promising players would be upgraded from part-time to full contracts. John Lyne, Ireland Under-21 captain and Leinster's Young Player of the Year, hooker Gavin Hickie, prop Niall Treston, second-row Ben Gissing, back five player Niall Breslin, flanker Shane Jennings, outhalf Matt Leek, centre Kieran Lewis and wing James Norton have all been rewarded.

Contepomi along with Christian Warner will be Leinster's two foreign players for next season. Paul Wallace has officially retired from all rugby, Peter McKenna has bowed out to resume his legal career but may be available at a later date while Peter Smyth will play club rugby in the immediate future.