Heineken Cup final:Leicester fans have seen the last of Martin Corry in a Tigers jersey after it was confirmed today the backrow will play no part in the Heineken Cup final against Leinster at Murrayfield on Saturday. Scrumhalf Julien Dupuy has also revealed his plans to return to France.
The former England captain sat out the Premiership final win over London Irish last weekend and coach Richard Cockerill says he will be on the sidelines again this week.
“Martin has a huge say during the week and he will be there on match day because his experience and influence on the squad is very important for me,” added Cockerill.
“Unfortunately his body has given up. His mind is more than willing — he would play twice a week for you if you wanted him to — but his body just won’t follow.
“It’s been a difficult decision for me to make. The easy thing would be to pick him but you have to make the right choices for the right reasons. Martin has dealt with that very professionally, as Martin Corry would.”
Dupuy, who was today called into the France squad for the tour to Australia and New Zealand, has played a key role in the Tigers’ successful season and has another 12 months left on his two-year contract.
But the the 25-year-old says his French girlfriend is homesick and he has received a tempting offer from Stade Francais.
Asked if he wants to stay at Welford Road, Dupuy revealed: “Actually no. It is not rugby. Rugby is really important but it is just 15 years of your life. The rest is important to me.
“I understand why Leicester want to keep me but we will speak after the final.”
Leicester are being linked with Leinster’s Australian scrumhalf Chris Whitaker, whom they will come up against on Saturday and Cockerill admits the club would be prepared to listen to an offer for Dupuy if they secure a replacement.
“If Stade Francais find enough money to buy him, there could be something in it,” he said.
The good news for Leicester fans, is that captain Geordan Murphy and fellow Naas man, and namesake, Johne Murphy have both recovered from knock picked up in last week’s final.
Giant wing Alex Tuilagi will also be available after returning from suspension, but is likely to start on the bench.
Tuilagi was suspended for an off-the-ball challenge in Leicester’s quarter-final win over Bath in April and Cockerill admits the strong-running Pacific Islander will be short of match practice.
“I can’t see us making too many changes because the guys have done well,” he said. “We haven’t finalised selection yet but it will be pretty close to what’s been playing in the last few weeks.
“Alex will come back into the 22 but, whether he’s on the bench or starts, we’ll have to see.
“He’s had five or six weeks off which doesn’t help but he’s certainly a threat. You wouldn’t want to tackle him, would you?”
