It wasn't quite slapstick in the vein of Morecambe and Wise but Eoin Reddan and Jimmy Gopperth enjoyed winding up opposing halfbacks when playing together with Leinster.
They had clearly defined roles as Reddan explains ahead of Saturday's reunion in the Champions Cup at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, albeit that they will be playing for different teams, following Gopperth's departure for Wasps last summer.
“I just know he’ll be messing with me. There are a few things we used to try to do to do others nines and 10s, plays, that I know he’ll definitely have a look at. There’ll be a few times when I’ll know exactly what he’s going to do next. We used to laugh about it here before he left. We’ll see what that is. I won’t say what they are in case he reads this.”
Reddan explained that the New Zealander left the province with a heavy heart, a feeling that was reciprocated by the Leinster players. “He was pretty sad leaving. He’s a really good guy. He’s the kind of guy who will have a laugh and a joke on the pitch so I’m sure he’ll be attempting to do that. I, of course, am not that guy so we’ll see how that goes.
“I’ve stonewalled a few of my friends playing but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it with Jimmy. He presents a massive running threat, a massive kicking threat. He’s a good passer, he’s a clever guy. He’ll prove to be a great signing for them yet; a great guy (in every respect).”
Reddan has a specific empathy given he made the reverse journey from Wasps to Leinster and still retains a fondness for his former club.
“ If I was watching them I’d be hoping they win unless I’m competing directly against them. I know a few of the lads still involved in the club. Lawrence (Dallaglio) is on the board there as well so I’d be hoping they do well.
“I’ve a massive connection to them. The players have changed, largely. There are a few guys there but, for me, it was a sea-change in my mentality and a breath of fresh air.
“It was much-needed for me. They were very good to me when I went and were very good in letting me go home. I was welcomed with open arms and a pat on the back on the way out.”
One player with whom he is well versed is Wasps' scrumhalf Joe Simpson with whom he spent time practicing and whom he admires as a player. "He's a great scrumhalf, electric. If he breaks away he's likely to finish. That's his biggest strength. He also kicks the ball a long way.
“He’s been playing there since I left, seven years now. I’d have done a bit of passing with him but I couldn’t have claimed to have mentored his gas or eye for a gap. We’d have trained together a good bit for two or three years, absolutely, and he always impressed me. He was very resilient, which is always a very important characteristic in young lads who might get knocked back, not play well or not get picked.
“It never fazed him and that impressed me. That’s a big thing because there are often lads who will play until they are 25 and who have never been dropped. Then they’ll play badly for Ireland or for Leinster and you’ll notice ‘jeez what happened there’.
“I knew from an early age that would never happen him which is a huge thing because rugby with five or six-day turnarounds things don’t always go according to plan and you’ve got to be able to in some ways play badly one week and turn it around and play well the next week.”
That resilience is important for young players; something Reddan believes is a core character trait to survive in a professional sporting set-up. “I think the environment is going to teach them that and it’s going to make sure the guys are good at that. We’ve so much strength that if you’re not able to do that I don’t think you’re going to survive.”
