Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt says he's very disappointed that the province's reputation has been called into question following the capture of Mike McCarthy.

Connacht chief executive, Tom Sears has said that they're unhappy with the 'persistent targeting' of their players by Leinster.

But Schmidt has insisted that it's 'false' to suggest that they have persistently pursued McCarthy and has suggested that Eric Elwood's departure from Connacht at the end of the season was a key factor in the player's decision for a change.