Leinster are determined to finish off Biarritz

FROM the outset, the Pool 3 clash between Biarritz and Leinster at Parc des Sports Aguilera had the look of a group decider about it.

Despite a few twists and turns along the way, that’s the way it’s proven. It’s winner takes all in the south of France this afternoon and, while the Irish side could still progress in defeat if they earn a bonus point and deny Biarritz a similar reward, it’s not an outcome that has been factored into their pre-match thinking. Instead, they’ve primed themselves for the mother of all battles in the heartland of French rugby.

“I’m like everyone else, I feel pressure about every game,” admits Ella. “I could spin the line that this is just like any other game, but it’s not. It’s a winner takes all game so we have to be a little more clinical about how we do things, we have to get points on the board and we have to make sure we defend.

“But, if you look at it, Biarritz really do have to do the hard work. They’re playing in front of their home crowd and, if they don’t win, they don’t go into the semis.”

Of course, the same rule applies to Leinster but, perversely, playing away from home might not necessarily be to their disadvantage. Along with Wasps and Edinburgh, Leinster have been unbeaten on their European travels this season and, while the atmosphere in Biarritz will undoubtedly be a touch more hostile than Cardiff or Sale, Ella believes this can be something of a motivating factor.

“Reggie Corrigan said to me when he came back from the World Cup not to worry about winning away from home and, in fairness to him, things have been along those lines. I haven’t seen any evidence to the contrary that the guys lack any confidence on the road. As for the atmosphere, I’ve played in the south of France with the Wallabies and I coached the Australian U19s in the World Cup down there also, so I know what it’s like.”

On the pitch, the challenge Leinster face is likely to be vastly different to when the teams last met. That afternoon at Lansdowne Road, Biarritz appeared almost entirely disinterested in proceedings and fell to an emphatic 26-point defeat.

“French teams travelling tend to find things a bit more difficult,” Ella says, “but since then, they’ve shown us that their defence has become a lot more organised. Betsen has also made a big difference to them.”

Meanwhile, Connacht are in confident mood ahead of today’s Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter-final against Narbonne at the Galway Sportsground (2pm).

The nine-points lead from their win in France last weekend has ensured the home side start as favourites to progress to the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

“We are in a great position and we go into the match with confidence, but we are now looking for a huge support, because it could help us big time,” coach Michael Bradley said.

However, Narbonne pose many dangers, not least their rolling maul, which produced two quick-fire tries last Saturday. They travel at full strength, bar the injured Cedric Rosalen.

Connacht show two changes from last weekend with former Irish U21 scrumhalf Conor O’Loughlin replacing the injured Mike Walls and flanker Paul Neville returning from injury at the expense of Matt Lacey.

CONNACHT: M McHugh; M Mostyn, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), C McPhillips; E Elwood, C O’Loughlin; D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke; D Browne, A Farley; M Swift, P Neville, J O’Sullivan. Replacments, J Fogarty, W O’Kelly, M McCarthy, M Lacey, C Keane, D Hewitt, T Robinson.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; J McWeeney, G D’Arcy, S Horgan, B Burke; C Warner, B O’Meara; R Corrigan, S Byrne, P Coyle; M O’Kelly, B Gissing; A McCullen, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: E Bohan, G Hickie, A Kearney, S Jennings, B O’Riordan, M Leek, D Quinlan.