Ronan a selection headache for Cheika
The 23-year-old back-row forward made the initial cut of 25 yesterday, with Cheika singing his praises to the point that he was prepared to name just two specialist second-rows.
Pointing out that another back-row forward, Cameron Jowitt, could provide cover for Malcolm O’Kelly and Bryce Williams, Cheika admitted that Ronan’s form had posted major selection difficulties.
“His form is such that I have almost been bullied into the decision. We have others pressing hard as well, and tough calls will have to be made when breaking the squad down to 22.”
Cheika has welcomed back O’Kelly, Brian O’Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Gordon D’Arcy and Girvan Dempsey from international duty, even though he would have liked more time to work with them.
“However,” he said, “I would much rather have them playing than not. The energy and enthusiasm they have brought back into the squad made the reintegration very easy.”
Leinster’s build up has been far from ideal but Cheika isn’t about to make any excuses if things go belly-up in Toulouse. “We knew well in advance what the situation would be. We don’t have the momentum Toulouse have going into this weekend, but we’re advanced in our season and we know that much more about each other.”
Cheika did concede that Leinster face a mammoth task. Referring to Toulouse, he said: “They are the big hitters of Europe. It’s not a question of them doing well occasionally; they do it regularly and they do it well. It’s important that we respect them but it’s more important to believe in ourselves.”
Cheika added that Leinster would have to play the game on their terms, through containment and aggression. “We can’t allow them to dictate the pace. When they are good they are very good. Together they do the right things and are capable of really hurting any opposition.
“But when there’s a line in front of them, when defences are strong and aggressive, they do make mistakes. We will aim to give them so many problems to deal with that it will be hard for them to focus on their traditional style of play.”
Leinster, he stressed, cannot rely totally on a star-studded back division. This battle, he said, has to be won up front by a maligned Leinster pack. “It’s going to be about competing and dominating in every area, so it is crucial that the pack get everything right. The guys are very aware about perceptions that are out there, and they are all keen to prove these type of pundits wrong,” he said.
He is aware, though, of the necessity to change perceptions from within. “The players understand that it will take consistent performances at the top level and not just a one dash off against these guys. If we want to make ourselves the top pack we want to be, then we have got to do it over and over, and that’s something we haven’t done. This is an opportunity to prove ourselves.”
Captain Brian O’Driscoll is painfully aware of Toulouse’s potential, having participated in the one-sided encounter of 2002.
“I think Toulouse that day were brilliant; everything went their way, passes stuck and we didn’t help ourselves by maybe standing off them. Potential to mix the rugby will be crucial. We cannot rely on trying to play one brand of rugby and we have to react positively to the type of game that unfolds.
“Hopefully, we can go out and entertain but I would be happy to win by the smallest of margins if it means having to play percentage rugby,” he said.
O’Driscoll is hoping for help on the terraces.
“You would have to be envious of the type of following which Munster attract and you would be silly not to want that number of people behind us. In the past, Munster have been at away games and all the players had to do was look up to a sea of red. That has got to be a boost but I think there will be up to 5,000 supporters in Toulouse and that is hugely encouraging for us.”
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