Leinster ready for bruising battle

LEINSTER, and their front five in particular, are bracing themselves for a bruising Heineken Cup encounter in the Stade Pierre Rajon against hosts Bourgoin tomorrow.

Last year the Irish province humiliated the French side at Lansdowne Road but almost came unstuck in the return fixture six days later before a late Brian O’Driscoll try spared their blushes.

Half of that pattern has already been repeated with last Saturday’s 46-point win at the RDS but Leinster will be more attuned to the demands, on and off the pitch, when they touch down in Lyon today.