Leinster aiming to emulate Ireland on foreign trail to glory
This year’s Heineken Cup final will be played in Paris on May 22 and the reigning champions can take a gigantic step towards retaining their crown when they face London Irish at RFU headquarters this weekend.
Win there and they guarantee themselves top billing in Pool Six and a home quarter-final in April.
For that to happen however, Rob Kearney will need to break his duck.
The Louth man has achieved much in his youthful career – Magners League and European successes with Leinster, 19 caps with his country and three Test appearances with the British and Irish Lions.
Yet, he has still to win a game in Twickenham or Stade de France. His sole appearance in Paris saw Ireland came up five points short against the French having trailed 26-6 two years ago.
His memories of Twickenham are mixed but ultimately ended with defeats. Five weeks after that loss in Paris, Kearney scored a fourth-minute try against England which was the high point in a 33-10 defeat.
His second experience there – against Wasps with Leinster in last year’s Heineken Cup group stages – coughed up a yellow card and another loss but also a priceless bonus point which ultimately served them well.
Saturday then, as he says himself, is the perfect opportunity to make it one from three and he seems perfectly at ease with the switch from the Madejski Stadium on account of Reading’s FA Cup commitments.
“It’s still an away game in a different country. Thankfully we always have great support over there and everyone likes playing at the bigger stadiums in front of the bigger crowds. So it’s certainly something we’re looking forward to.”
Like the rest of the provinces, Leinster will approach their task in high spirits. All four Irish sides recorded victories in European action in round five, the second time this season that has happened.
Kearney and the rest of Declan Kidney’s 44-man squad report for Six Nations duty in Killiney on Monday and the Irish coach would dearly love to start his preparations on the back of another provincial clean sweep.
“Of course, but I think the only one looking forward to next week is Deccie,” said Kearney.
“The players in all the provinces will be focused on their games in hand. If we lose sight of this week and slip up it could be the remainder of your provincial season gone. This weekend is the only thing the players are focusing on.”
This was supposed to be a game where Leinster would have to do all the chasing, to cope with all the pressure and the possibility of settling for second-best in the group and possible elimination. Instead, last Sunday’s comeback by the Scarlets against the Exiles in Llanelli has left Michael Cheika’s side needing to take just one point – or prevent Irish from claiming five – to remain at the summit.
Not that they are complacent about the task in hand.
“We can’t lose sight of the fact that this weekend is where it’s all going to happen and what happened last weekend, if we lose, will become irrelevant. The bottom line for us is that, if we want to qualify out of the group, then we have to win.”
Who knows what approach London Irish will take. The round one meeting between these two was a slugfest, devoid of tries and decided by a late penalty from Ryan Lamb – and all that after a week predicting a game between two of rugby’s most aesthetically pleasing sides.
The fact that Irish need those four tries would suggest they could be more cavalier on this occasion but coach Toby Booth has already dampened such speculation this week.
Last weekend’s loss at Parc Y Scarlets was down, at least in part, to his side chasing the bonus point before the result was sealed and Booth is adamant they will not put the egg before the chicken this time around.
Kearney isn’t so sure.
“Well, I suppose they wouldn’t be a good side if they didn’t expect to swing from the hip. If they want to qualify, they have to win. It’s as simple as that. It’s pretty much the same mentality that we’ll be taking into the game.
“It is one of those all or nothing games and both sides will have to throw everything at it.
“Whatever side doesn’t fulfil their potential probably doesn’t deserve to qualify.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
