Newbridge old boys are the pride of Europe

While the fans of both Leicester Tigers and Leinster wonder what fate will befall their team in Edinburgh, the pupils of newbridge College, Dublin, already know they are going to get sight of the most coveted trophy in world club rugby some time soon.

For the Dublin school is supplying no fewer than four players to the two finalists - two on each side. That means that either the Leicester duo of Geordan and Johne Murphy, who the Leinster double act of Bernard Jackman and Jamie Heaslip, will be going back to their old alma mate to show off their latest spoils.

Geordan Murphy and Heaslip teamed up to take the RBS Six Nations trophy won so gloriously by Grand Slam Ireland this season back to their old stamping ground. now the senior parnter of the 'Newbridge Four', Leinster hooker Jackman, wants his moment in the sun.

"Whatever happens at Murrayfield this weekend, Newbridge College are pretty confident that they'll get to see the Heineken Cup at some time this summer. I just hope it's me and Jamie who are taking it to show off to the students," said Jackman.

"Geordan and Jamie took the Six Nations trophy there a few months ago, so they're getting pretty spoilt. But the college deserves it - it's brilliant for them.

"Last year there were four of us who were named in the same squad for a Six Nations game, so that was a great occasion for the College and they took great enjoyment from it. Now there are four more set be on the field in a Heineken Cup final, which must be pretty unique for any school. "At 33, I'm the oldest of the four. Geordan was a year below me and I knew Johne because I was in the same year as his sister, Jane. Jamie was five years below me, but I knew his bother Graham who was a year above me and we played together at Connacht."

All four players were coached by Greg McInerney, himself a former pupil at the College and a member of the side that won the Leinster Schools Senior Cup in the early Seventies. That side contained outside half Mick Quinn as well as the father of current Ireland and Lions wing Tommy Bowe.

"Greg was great at College. He was never one who focussed on chasing cup finals, it was more about personal development through enjoyment," recalled Jackman.

"He wanted guys to have skills on an individual basis. He wanted us to go on and play well at higher levels.

"Some schools are probably guilty of pushing too hard to win games and trophies there and then. With Greg, it was about playing for your team-mates and for the enjoyment of the game.

"There was no pressure to win at all costs. If there were chances to run from your own line, he would encourage you to do so."

Those qualities certainly rubbed off on the two Murphys, who have been in sparkling form for the Tigers this season. Both players picked up Guinness Premiership titles last weekend and now they are targetting the double in Edinburgh.

"I know Geordan and Johne have sent Leicester flags back home to Leinster. I'm not sure how that will go down with everyone else in Leinster, but it must be a very proud moment for their families to have them playing in the Heineken Cup final against their home province," said Jackman.

"Geordan has been unbelievable this season. He seems to do everything for the Tigers, from taking the kick offs, catching everything and being the main man in attack.

"He's probably started most games since he went there as a 19-year-old and as far as people back in Ireland are concerned, he's Mr Leicester." As for Jackman himself, he is just delighted to be playing in a Heineken Cup final. It may have been a rather circuitous route, via Connacht and Sale Sharks, but the Irish international intends to grab this opportunity with both hands.

"There have been plenty of ups and downs in my career. It's a route that has taken me from Connacht to Sale, back to Connacht and now on to Leinster," said Jackman.

"That is where I always wanted to be. There have been great moments along the way, like winning the Magners League last season, which gave us the confidence to push on this year.

"Winning my first cap for Ireland was a very proud moment and now winning the Heineken Cup would be a huge milestone.

"It's something we have been envious of when we've watched Munster win the Heineken Cup twice. We've always thought we had the ability to win it, but it was always a case of consistency.

"We've worked hard to get into this position where we just need to pull out one more performance to win it. We have to take that opportunity."