Reddan: we need to up intensity

EOIN REDDAN believes Leinster must learn from the intensity Ulster inflicted upon them if they are to get back to winning ways against Cardiff Blues tomorrow.

The Ulster pack, led by some blockbusting tackling from back-rowers Chris Henry, Willie Faloon and Tamaita Horua, had the measure of the European champions in a 16-14 win amid a monsoon at Ravenhill last Saturday.

Leinster scrum-half Reddan now insists his side must take a lesson from their provincial counterparts as they welcome Cardiff to the RDS.

“Ulster had a great intensity, and we’ll be looking to take from that and up it ourselves this weekend,” he said.

“Cardiff are a very tough team with some great players, some very good ball carriers and very good people on the ground, grabbing ball. We’ll have to really concentrate on what we’re doing at the breakdown.”

Nonetheless, Leinster will be pleased to see that one of Cardiff’s chief tormentors in that area, veteran flanker Martyn Williams, has been ruled out, at the request of Warren Gatland.

The Wales coach wants to wrap Williams and Cardiff team-mate Gethin Jenkins in cotton wool until next week’s autumn opener with New Zealand. Gatland has decided not to take any risks – just a week before the clash with the All Blacks in Cardiff.

Blues forwards coach Justin Burnell said: “We would have liked them to be involved but we have worked closely with the Wales management and it’s been decided the best course of action is for them to sit it out.”

Forwards Williams and Jenkins have only recovered from shoulder surgery after the gruelling Lions tour to South Africa. And earlier this week, Williams, 34, said: “I... think I need to play. As hard as we train here with Wales, you cannot replicate the intensity of a match. The All Blacks isn’t going to be the easiest game in the world so I need that intensity before that game.”

But Gatland performed his U-turn following flanker Jonathan Thomas’ two-week ban for punching which added to a shortage of recognised front-rowers, which includes the injured Lions prop Adam Jones.

International thoughts will also be occupying Leinster minds following this weekend’s action, after 15 of their players were named in Declan Kidney’s 39-strong squad for the autumn internationals against Australia, Fiji and South Africa.

Reddan is among them as he looks to kick-start an international career which stalled somewhat after the 2007 World Cup, but he believes many of the Leinster side who didn’t make the cut can make hay in the big boys’ absence.

“It’s hard sometimes, especially when people are disappointed. It’s one of the biggest parts of rugby, it’s just like kicking or passing, it’s a massive skill to be able to deal with not getting picked, get back and work harder,” he said.

“They can make some serious gains on those who aren’t playing. They can be stronger and faster. If you’re not picked, that’s the goal, you need to go back and train very hard.”

Leinster will be keen to extend a winning streak at the RDS in the Magners League which stretches back to Munster’s 19-0 win there 14 months ago.

With Cardiff yet to win on the road in the competition this season – or in Dublin at all since 2004 – there is cause for cautious optimism.

Leinster’s fans have played their part in making the RDS such a fortress, something Reddan yesterday paid tribute to.

“The crowd are huge, I’ve been so impressed by them since the first game, I couldn’t believe the atmosphere, and it’s one of the things I’ve enjoyed most since arriving back (from Wasps).”