Veteran Canadian lock Jamie Cudmore has form with Irish enforcer Paul O’Connell, but both skippers for this weekend’s World Cup Pool D opener insist that what happens on the pitch stays there.
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Cudmore was involved in an infamous scuffle with O’Connell during a 2008 European Cup match between Clermont and Munster at the latter’s Thomond Park.
The Irishman’s head shot backwards from a vicious uppercut from the Canadian after a ruck and all hell broke loose. Ironically, current Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was on the touchline that day in the colours of Clermont, where he was assistant coach.
“Jamie got the worst consequence, a red card and suspension. Paul got a yellow and got back on there,” Schmidt reminisced with a wry grin.
While O’Connell’s career has been relatively free of disciplinary action, Cudmore’s is another story. He joined Clermont from Grenoble in 2005 with a fearsome reputation after accruing eight yellow cards in 21 matches in the 2004/5 season for the Alps team.
“If you don’t know Jamie very well, you’d see him as a little bit of a reckless character,” Schmidt added. “But he’d be one of the nicest guys you could meet.”
O’Connell, like Cudmore appearing in his fourth World Cup, said: “The biggest testament to him is to be in a club like Clermont, and he consistently commands a place in that team.”
Cudmore added: “What happens on the field is full-on and afterwards we’ll have a chat and a laugh, something I really appreciate.”
