2002-03 was Leinster's eighth season under professionalism, and their third under head coach Matt Williams.
In 2002–03, they became only the third team in the history of the European Cup to win all their games in pool play. They also went one step further in the playoffs than the previous season by reaching the semi-finals (for the first time since 1995–96), but lost at home against French side Perpignan, which was accompanied by an unsuccessful season in the Celtic League.
Malcolm O'Kelly was given the 2003 IRUPA players' player of the year award. Gordon D'Arcy won the try of the season award.Kieran Rooney, "Players' Player is Malcolm O'Kelly", Irish Independent, 9 May 2003
At the end of the season, Matt Williams was appointed as the head coach of Scotland. Gary Ella replaced him as Leinster head coach.
Player transfers
Players in Des Dillon from Connacht"Dillon signs for Leinster", Irish Rugby, 15 May 2002 Ben Gissing from Rugby Calvisano Aidan Kearney from Ulster"Brennan joins Toulouse", BBC Sport, 31 May 2002 Matthew Leek from Wasps"Matt lands Leek", Evening Herald, 26 July 2002 Kieran Lewis John Lyne Brian O'Riordan Christian Warner from Pau"Warner Leinster's Newest Aussie", 20 May 2002
Players out Steve Barretto James Blaney to Munster Trevor Brennan to Toulouse Bob Casey to London Irish"Casey Off To London Town", Irish Rugby, 30 April 2002 Emmett Farrell
Squad
Leinster Rugby squadLeinster squad, 2002-03, Guinness Pro12, retrieved 29 August 2026Props Emmet Byrne Reggie Corrigan Peter Coyle John Lyne Niall Treston Paul Wallace
Hookers David Blaney Shane Byrne Gavin Hickie Peter Smyth
Locks Niall Breslin Leo Cullen Ben Gissing Aidan Kearney Malcolm O'KellyBack row Victor Costello Des Dillon Keith Gleeson Shane Jennings Aidan McCullen Eric Miller Liam Toland
Scrum-halves Brian O'Meara Brian O'Riordan Ben Willis
Fly-halves Andy Dunne Matthew Leek Nathan Spooner Christian WarnerCentres Shane Horgan Kieran Lewis Adam Magro Brian O'Driscoll David Quinlan
Wings Gordon D'Arcy Denis Hickie (c) Simon Keogh John McWeeney
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 B Table TeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATry bonusLosing bonusPts1 Pontypridd7601182120+62151220262 Glasgow7502216166+50222021233 Cardiff7403178151+27171222204 Connacht7502126176−50111700205 Leinster7304191154+37221433186 Borders7205142169−27151113127 Bridgend7205127187−60112011108 Newport7106121160−39916048Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows: 4 points for a win 2 points for a draw 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus) 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage.Source: RaboDirect PRO12
Pool B Fixtures
Heineken Cup
Pool 4 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts Leinster660022715188939512 Bristol Shoguns63031517−214914456 Montferrand62041587141120214 Swansea6105828−20109230−1212
Quarter-final
Semi-final
References