Leinster move to defuse Knox row

Leinster have moved swiftly to minimise the embarrassment caused by former back's coach David Knox's disparaging comments regarding Declan Kidney and Munster.

The Australian, who spent three years working under Michael Cheika before leaving at the end of the season, claimed that the IRFU made a "big mistake" in appointing Kidney as the new Ireland coach.

And Knox did his utmost to widen the Leinster-Munster divide, launching a stinging attack on the Munster brand of rugby and out-half Ronan O'Gara.

"I have been here for three years and I have never seen him [O'Gara] create space for anybody," Knox told today's Irish Independent . "Yet over here he ranks with Dan Carter as the best flyhalf in the world. I have never heard such rubbish."

Earlier today, Cheika described Knox's remarks as "unfortunate" while an official Leinster statement released this afternoon moved to distance the province from the coach, stressing that he is no longer employed in Donnybrook.

"Leinster Rugby wishes to clarify that David Knox is no longer an employee of Leinster Rugby," it read. "His recent comments in the media are in no way a reflection of the view of our organization and we strongly dissociate ourselves from the views and thoughts of this recent ex-employee.
 
"None of his thoughts are representative of the province and are completely independent of those held by either the playing squad or management."

© 2008 The Irish Times