Blaney itching to face French test

THE sight of French opposition this week is likely to spark one or two conflicting memories for Brian Blaney as Castres arrive in Dublin to take on Leinster in Pool Two.

Three seasons ago, the Terenure graduate was the province’s starting hooker as they claimed a famous Heineken Cup win away to Toulouse in a high-scoring quarter-final.

He was still the man in possession of the jersey by the end of the year before a rib injury early on in the game away to Agen opened the door for Bernard Jackman. His successor has since gone on to earn full international honours, while this season Blaney found himself third in the queue behind John Fogarty.

The good news is that Leinster coach Michael Cheika has seen fit to promote him into the 24-man matchday squad ahead of Fogarty this week.

“Obviously, it’s been frustrating, but we had a mini pre-season where the Leinster ‘A’ team played four games in the space of two weeks, which was brilliant from the fitness aspect. It was great too to be playing a bit of ball. I know that’s not up to the test match we’re going into now, but I have the experience, over 60 or 70 caps and maybe 18 or 20 caps in the Heineken Cup, so I’m well able for it. Hopefully I’ll get a run.”

The plan is simple for Leinster this week. Obliterate the last vestiges of Castres’ fading interest in Europe on Saturday, then make the return trip and claim the win which would leave them on the verge of a home quarter-final spot. Its execution may yet prove more difficult. The French side may be bottom of Pool Two and mired in the domestic relegation zone, but these Heineken back-to-back fixtures bring different ingredients to the table.

“It is unusual,” said Blaney. “I remember three years ago we played Bourgoin back to back. I think we beat them by 93 points (it was actually 46) in the RDS. Then we went over and Phil (Felipe Contepomi) had a kick from the halfway line. It was the last play of the game and they beat us. We thought our tournament was over there and then but we went on to the semi-final. It just goes to show that, back to back, you can’t take anything for granted.”

Blaney’s memory isn’t perfect. It was the season after, when Leinster met Bourgoin again, that they put 92 points on them and they made it to the last eight, not the last four, after losing at the Stade Pierre-Antoine.

His point remains valid, however. The stats show the majority of teams to achieve two wins in these back-to-back fixtures do so when they travel away first and play at home second.

But the fact remains that, the order of the venues aside, Leinster find themselves in an enviable position as they approach the last of the pre-Christmas group games with 10 points from 10 after rounds one and two. Castres lack the kind of billboard names normally associated with Top 14 sides, captain Lionel Nallet and Chris Masoe aside, and they are likely to lack most of their first-choice players as well as any motivation at the RDS.

“Like any French side they’re going to be extremely physical up front,” said Blaney. “We did a bit of a scout on them (on video) and they have quite a formidable scrum, along with a very skilful back-row. We’ll have to do a bit of defence on their offload game as well.

“It will be a tough game but one we’re really looking forward to.”