Filling the considerable void left by Jonathan Sexton was never going to be easy, but as debut seasons go, Leinster's Jimmy Gopperth has good reason to reflect positively on the 2013/14 campaign.
In 29 appearances for the province – the most of any player in the squad – the New Zealand native amassed a points tally of 239, including 14 in the Pro 12 Grand Final against Glasgow Warriors last May.
With Harlequins and London Wasps in Leinster's pool for the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup, the former Newcastle Falcons outhalf will be able to draw on his past Aviva Premiership experience, but despite acknowledging the importance of Europe, the 31-year-old knows that the Guinness Pro 12 Series holds equal significance.
“Winning the Pro 12 was pretty good. Disappointing, as well, that we didn’t do as well in Europe. We obviously have a challenge this year that we want to do well in Europe.
Back-to-back
“We talked about it last year after the Toulon game. No team has ever won the Pro 12 back-to-back. We wanted to do that, and now we want to be the first team to do it three times.
“I think that’s sort of our base, the Pro 12. It all comes back to doing well in that, and then hopefully in Europe we can kick on.”
While the battle between Gopperth and Ian Madigan for the No 10 shirt was perhaps the most fascinating sub-plot of the past 12 months in Leinster, much of the attention in 2014/15 will focus on the outside centre position vacated by the now-retired Brian O'Driscoll.
Potential partner
There will be a host of candidates putting their names forward as a potential partner for Gordon D'Arcy, but in Clontarf's Noel Reid, Gopperth believes Leinster have a gem at their disposal.
“I think last year was a massive breakthrough for him [Reid]. I thought he was outstanding for us. Obviously he got a lot of opportunities with guys being away on international duty.
“As a 10, he’s a really nice player to play with. Obviously he used to play 10, so he knows how 10s run the game and he gives you a lot of information.
“He’s a very strong boy and he is deceptively quick. I think with his skill set, with his mind set and the way he is, he’s going to be a very good player and an international coming through the years. He’s going to be there a long time,” added Gopperth.
