2003-04 was Leinster ninth season under professionalism, and their only season under head coach Gary Ella, former head coach of the New South Wales Waratahs, appointed to replace Matt Williams, who had been appointed head coach of Scotland. Willie Anderson remained as assistant coach.Gavin Mairs, "Ella puts best foot forward for Leinster", Belfast Telegraph, 18 July 2003
Gordon D'Arcy won the 2004 IRUPA players' player of the year and people's player of the year awards. Girvan Dempsey won the try of the year award.Kieran Rooney, "Players' Player is Malcolm O'Kelly", Irish Independent, 9 May 2003
Player transfers
Players in Brian Blaney Enda Bohan Sean Brophy Gary Brown Brendan Burke Rob Connolly Felipe Contepomi from Bristol Simon Crawford James Downey John Hearty Jason Moran James Norton"Shogun becomes a Lion", Irish Rugby, 19 May 2003 Niall O’Brien Daragh O’Shea Ciarán Potts Niall Ronan Shane Whelan
Players out Andy Dunne to Harlequins"Harlequins swoop for four Irish players", Irish Times, 14 May 2003 Aidan Kearney Simon Keogh to Harlequins Adam Magro (released) Peter McKenna (retired) Peter Smyth Paul Wallace (retired) Nathan Spooner to Natal Sharks Liam Toland Ben Willis to Harlequins
Squad
Leinster Rugby squadLeinster squad, 2003-04, Guinness Pro12, retrieved 29 August 2026Props Enda Bohan Sean Brophy Emmet Byrne Reggie Corrigan Peter Coyle John Lyne Jason Moran Niall Treston
Hookers Brian Blaney David Blaney Shane Byrne Gavin Hickie
Locks Niall Breslin Leo Cullen Ben Gissing Malcolm O'KellyBack row Rob Connolly Victor Costello Simon Crawford Des Dillon Keith Gleeson Shane Jennings Aidan McCullen Eric Miller Ciarán Potts Niall Ronan
Scrum-halves Brian O'Meara Brian O'Riordan Shane Whelan
Fly-halves Felipe Contepomi Matt Leek Christian WarnerCentres Brendan Burke James Downey John Hearty Shane Horgan Kieran Lewis Brian O'Driscoll David Quinlan
Wings Gary Brown Gordon D'Arcy Denis Hickie (c) John McWeeney James Norton Niall O’Brien
Fullbacks Girvan Dempsey Daragh O’Shea (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Celtic League
Table PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBPLBPPts1 Llanelli Scarlets221615597385+212573973762 Ulster221507617363+254672984723 Newport Gwent Dragons221606590449+141594171724 Celtic Warriors221408560451+109483754655 Neath–Swansea Ospreys2211110582512+70556054556 Cardiff Blues2211011570467+103735473547 Munster2210012422456−34454965518 Leinster229112523580−57516545479 Connacht228212479550−715059534410 Edinburgh229013454622−1685269624411 Glasgow226115442614−1725261333212 Borders224018363750−38742881522Under 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)Source: RaboDirect PRO12
Fixtures
Heineken Cup
Pool 3 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTBLBPts Biarritz Olympique64021812613997423120 Leinster640213112142113291118 Cardiff Blues620413130123132−90311 Sale Sharks6204614−875137−62019
References