2001-02 was Leinster's seventh season under professionalism, and their second under head coach Matt Williams.
The Irish, Scottish and Welsh unions agreed a format for the inaugural Celtic League in May 2001. It would involve all four Irish provinces, two teams from Scotland and nine from Wales, organised in two conferences. It would kick off on 18 August, with the final scheduled for 15 December."Celtic League gets green light to kick off in August", Evening Herald, 31 May 2001 Celtic league fixtures between Ulster and Leinster, and between Munster and Connacht, would count towards this year's IRFU Interprovincial Championship. The remaining Interprovincial fixtures would take place in April 2002.Aidan Corr, "Munster face into a hectic season", Limerick Chronicle, 24 July 2001
The "Leinster Lions" name came into existence during the 2001–02 season as the result of a joint marketing initiative between Leinster Rugby and its kit sponsors, the Canterbury Clothing Company.
Leinster's first season in the newly formed Celtic League ended in success as the Lions were crowned the inaugural champions, beating rivals Munster Rugby in the 2001–02 final.
Player transfers
Players in Steve Barretto David Blaney Niall Breslin Keith Gleeson from Waratahs Gavin Hickie Shane Jennings Adam Magro from Waratahs Aidan McCullen Nathan Spooner from Queensland Reds Niall Treston Paul Wallace from Saracens Ben Willis from Grenoble
Players out G. Dunphy Gabriel Fulcher Gary Halpin Derek Hegarty Eddie Hekenui Colin McEntee Mark McHugh to Connacht Declan O'Brien Kevin Putt Rory Sheriff Nathan Turner
Squad
Leinster Rugby squadLeinster squad, 2001-02, Guinness Pro12, retrieved 29 August 2026Props Steve Barretto Emmet Byrne Reggie Corrigan Peter Coyle Niall Treston Paul Wallace
Hookers David Blaney James Blaney Shane Byrne Gavin Hickie Peter Smyth
Locks Niall Breslin Bob Casey Leo Cullen Malcolm O'KellyBack row Trevor Brennan Victor Costello Keith Gleeson Shane Jennings Aidan McCullen Eric Miller Liam Toland
Scrum-halves Brian O'Meara Ben Willis
Fly-halves Andy Dunne Emmett Farrell Nathan SpoonerCentres Shane Horgan Adam Magro Brian O'Driscoll David Quinlan
Wings Gordon D'Arcy Denis Hickie (c) Simon Keogh John McWeeney James Norton
Fullbacks Girvan Dempsey Peter McKenna (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Celtic League
Pool A Pool A standings
Pool A results
Quarter-final
Semi-final
Final Final
Heineken Cup
Pool 6 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts Leinster 6501151141391043510 Newport63031713415114656 Toulouse630316115158141176 Newcastle 6105821−13117174−572
Quarter-final
IRFU Interprovincial Championship
The 2001–02 IRFU Interprovincial Championship was a transitional season before the competition was superseded by the Celtic League. Pool matches between Irish provinces in the 2001–02 Celtic League counted towards the championship. The remaining Interprovincial fixtures were originally scheduled to take place in December 2001, but were postponed because IRFU director of fitness Dr. Liam Hennessy felt that the schedule, between the Celtic League, the Heineken Cup and the Autumn internationals, was too onerous and players needed a period of rest and recovery to prepare for the Six Nations.Tony Ward, "Fitness guru kicks Interpro games to touch", Irish Independent, 18 December 2001 They took place in April and May 2002.Aidan Corr, "Munster face into a hectic season", Limerick Chronicle, 24 July 2001
Team P W D LFA BPPts Status 3 2 0 1 86 35 2 12 Champions; qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup 3 2 0 1 50 66 0 8 Qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup 3 1 1 1 64 48 1 7 Qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup 3 0 0 3 56 107 1 1 Qualified 2002–03 European Challenge Cup
References