Leinster wannabes can upset odds, says Whitaker

AS MUNSTER blazed a trail through European rugby over the last seven years, Leinster have become the Irish wannabes in the Heineken Cup tournament.

But Leinster’s Australian scrum-half Chris Whitaker has predicted that his side can upset the odds at the RDS tomorrow (1.30pm) when they take on one of the main Heineken Cup favourites, Leicester Tigers.

Whitaker would prefer that the draw had been kinder. Pooled with three-time winners Toulouse, twice champions Leicester and a gritty Edinburgh, isn’t exactly conducive to overconfidence in the Leinster camp.

But that, mused Whitaker, might ultimately prove to be a blessing in disguise.

“It’s certainly not going to be easy for any of the Irish teams, particularly ourselves and Munster, the way the draw has gone. I suppose there is no really easy group, just that a couple are easier than the rest,” he said.

Whitaker feels the Heineken Cup has come on in leaps and bounds to the point where he now believes it to be “at least on a par with the Super 14 in terms of quality.’’

He added: “Undoubtedly, there are more Heineken Cup than Super 14 games that don’t produce fancy rugby; therefore those games become wars of attrition.

“But on good weather days, matches can be as exciting as anything in the southern hemisphere and, maybe, defensively the northern hemisphere game is better.”

Tomorrow, he will be putting huge emphasis on defence when Leicester come to town, having noted, like thousands of others, how the Tigers like to beat up opponents physically before putting them to the sword.

In that sense, he hopes there can be inspired advice from the recently returned Leo Cullen and Shane Jennings, who spent time on the other side of the fence in the English east midlands.

“Perhaps they can tell us things we don’t know about already, but I reckon that we’re just going to have to front up to the expected physical challenge. If we can match them in the physical stakes, then we surely have a chance,” added Whitaker.

But the scrumhalf also believes that Leinster’s Irish internationals can have a big say in the progress of the team through this particular tournament.

“There can be no doubt that the guys came back from France a very disappointed lot. But they also came back, individually and collectively, as much more determined players.

“They view the World Cup as being behind them; probably as a badly lost opportunity to keep Irish rugby right up there with the best. Sure, they’re disappointed, and they’re angry as well because you could sense that from their early reaction in Leinster training.

“But they see this as a way of getting back into competitive rugby; not to redeem themselves but to re-build their confidence. They’re all top quality players and they’re capable of getting back on track quickly. Certainly, you get the feeling from the way they have been training that they’re hugely enthusiastic and that they’re looking forward instead of looking back.”