Dempsey intent on atoning for Sale slip-up
Girvan Dempsey is determined that should not happen again in pursuit of Leinster’s European dreams.
“Everyone is well aware we blew our chances of making the quarter-finals by losing to Sale. It made our trip to Biarritz in the last game very difficult and, as it transpired, we just weren’t able to turn things around.
“Any team with aspirations towards going through to the knockout stages really has to win the home matches and target at least two away wins. We did the hard work by beating Sale and Cardiff away and a repeat of that victory over Sale in Dublin would have been enough to get us through.”
But Dempsey believes Leinster, for whom he makes his 74th competitive appearance tomorrow, have learned from that harsh lesson.
“It made us think a lot harder about what we have to do. It has been brought up in discussion on numerous occasions since, and with Declan Kidney at the helm, I believe we are mentally tougher than we were at the same time last season.”
Kidney came in for special praise from Dempsey since taking over the coaching role from Gary Ella.
“It was a seamless transition because Declan is such a good man-manager and is so well-organised. There was a bit of slagging because he is from Munster but it wasn’t like taking on a new coach. Everyone in the Leinster squad would have respected him for the work he did with Munster and the internationals would have the same respect because he was involved with them at national level. His track record at all levels speaks for itself.”
The mood in the Leinster camp (amongst all 38 players) has never been better, says Dempsey.
“There have been a lot of interruptions this season with players coming and going and I’m sure it wasn’t easy to keep everyone in the squad happy. Declan has managed to give certain players a rest at the right time and give others a run when they needed it. It really has been great and there was no problem in slotting right back into things after the international with Argentina last week.
“The international players were eased gently into it. He brought us in as a group before training on Monday and explained to us exactly what work had been done in our absence, so we knew what needed to be done when we got on the pitch.”
In advance of this crucial tie, Dempsey believes there are similarities between Argentina and Bourgoin and that - from the international players’ viewpoint - the game with the Pumas was the perfect dress rehearsal for this weekend.
“We have watched them on video playing both home and away and the conclusion is they are a very good side. Unlike Stade Francais and Toulouse, they don’t play with many frills but they’re a very direct, in-your-face type of side. They will be strong up front and they have put together a good run of results so they will be in a confident mood as well.”
Dempsey concedes that the atmosphere in Lansdowne Road might not be quite the same as last Saturday when Ireland sneaked a last-gasp win over Argentina in front of 49,000 spectators.
The Leinster Branch hopes the game will attract 15,000 people but the full-back is adamant a decent atmosphere can be created.
“I suppose it is really up to us and as to how we perform. We produced the goods against Bath in the last game and it was a pretty special occasion.
“The move from Donnybrook really couldn’t be helped because the branch were turning away genuine fans.
“It’s a good time to return to Lansdowne Road because the supporters are on a bit of a high at the moment after watching Ireland win all three autumn internationals.
“It’s totally up to us to take things a stage further and create the right buzz on the night.”
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