"It would be terrible if Matt went and none of us had spoken up. What we don't want to happen is for him to leave and for people to turn around and ask us why we never spoke about it. The players feel strongly that he should stay and hope that something can be worked out with the union, because they would find it hard to find a replacement as good as he is."

- Ireland and Leinster wing Denis Hickie keeping his fingers crossed that Leinster coach Matt Williams can be persuaded to stay with the province.