In a surprising volte face, Leinster yesterday decided not to cite the Montferrand winger David Bory within the stipulated 50 hours of last Saturday's Heineken European Cup game. The French winger had plunged, knees-first, into the lower back of Gordon D'Arcy after he had scored a try, and all the indications were that Leinster would cite Bory just before the 4.0p.m. deadline, allowing Montferrand no time to make tit-for-tat citings. Gerry Thornley reports.

However, Leinster had a change of heart after seeking legal advice which suggested that a citing would most likely not be upheld by an ERC disciplinary hearing.

Confirming this in a statement late yesterday afternoon, the Leinster manager, Ken Ging, commented: "Despite video and photographic evidence on the incident, after obtaining legal opinion from officials with judicial experience, we have been advised not to pursue this any further."

The statement also said: "Bory's sincere apology to Gordon D'Arcy after the game was accepted in the true spirit of rugby football. We are delighted that Gordon is out of hospital, and that there is no fracture as first feared. The bruising to his lower back is still causing him pain. The Leinster management is fully aware of responsibilities to their players and will continue to protect them from foul play."

In addition, the Leinster PRO, Tom McCormack, explained that Leinster were advised not to cite on the grounds that video evidence could "not prove intent". That hoary chestnut.

Even so, it's disappointing that Leinster didn't at least make Bory suffer the inconvenience of a disciplinary hearing at which he would be obliged to defend his deed.

To some extent, Leinster's lack of action reflects the inadequacy of rugby's disciplinary systems, from the IRB down to the ERC and beyond; the result is that it tolerates foul play far more readily than other sports.

It may well be true that Bory acted out of character and is not a dirty player, but it is laughable to hear Montferrand have intimated to Leinster that Bory will be punished at their end. A spokesperson for Montferrand told The Irish Times: "We will have a talk with Bory but that is all I know so far and I don't know if it's going to entail any suspension."

D'Arcy has left hospital and has already begun receiving physiotherapy twice a day to the severe bruising and internal bleeding around his left lower back and pelvis area.

While he acknowledged that Bory visited the Leinster dressing-room and apologised, D'Arcy said: "I dived in a yard before the line and he hit me at least a yard and a half after it. And you don't stumble with a knee into your back at that force. It was the worst pain I've ever felt in my life on a rugby pitch. I needed two pain-killing injections and morphine."

While still speculating on what the extent of his injuries might have been had Bory connected two inches higher up his back, D'Arcy was mightily relieved to learn there was nothing broken and might, at a push, travel to Lanzarote with the rest of the Irish squad next Sunday for a week of warm weather training. He expects to be back playing in the New Year in time for Leinster's last two pool matches.

Meanwhile, with interesting timing given the current debate about their future as a professional entity, Connacht have agreed a two-year sponsorship deal with O2 Ireland.

The Connacht Rugby CEO, Gerry Kelly, said that the decision by O2 to back Connacht was a major boost for the side. "It is a vote of confidence in Connacht rugby and I hope O2 benefit as much as we will from the arrangement," he said.

Commenting on the sponsorship, O2's commercial director, Gerry McQuaid, said: "O2 has been a very strong supporter of Irish rugby for a number for years as the official mobile communications supplier to the IRFU, and we believe that this sponsorship deal is a further endorsement of our commitment to the sport and to the gallant Connacht supporters all over the West of Ireland.

"We hope that our support will enable the teams to develop and progress even further. We believe that it is a relationship that will prove valuable to both Connacht rugby and O2."

Aside from supplying the Connacht squad and management with the latest mobile handsets, the 02 logo will also adorn the official jerseys.