Confident Lawes believes Saints have beating of Blues

BY common consent, Leinster are the odds-on favourites going into Saturday’s Heineken Cup final, but no-one seems to have told Northampton’s Courtney Lawes.

Instead, the towering second row, one of the men who will pose the biggest threat to Leinster’s expected hegemony at the breakdown, believes his side should be regarded as serious contenders to win their second Heineken Cup.

It is a bold claim considering Leinster’s greater experience, but the 22-year-old is firm in his belief that Northampton’s young side can upset their elder counterparts.