Horgan warning on French threat

Experience tells Shane Horgan Leinster will have to go into Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final with all guns blazing if they are to beat ASM Clermont Auvergne and reach a third final in five seasons.

Horgan faced the French all-stars three times with Leinster in the last two seasons, winning a home quarter-final by the skin of their teeth in 2009-10 before the sides won a home game each in the pool phase in 2010-11.

And with the bookmakers unable to separate the pair, the recently retired Horgan believes both sides will have to be at their very best to have any hope of reaching the May 19 final at Twickenham.