Ulster ‘will give it a real lash’
McLaughlin was impressed by the performance of Joe Schmidt’s side in recording a 19-15 victory of Clermont Auvergne yesterday which sets up an all-Irish decider at Twickenham on Saturday, May 19.
“Leinster were superb,” said McLaughlin whose side secured a 22-19 semi-final win over Edinburgh in Dublin on Saturday.
“They proved they are a quality side in the way they handled Clermont at the end.
“It as a tremendous defensive performance after they fought back to take the lead. But we know what to expect from Leinster. We played them a few weeks back and they were a good quality side. But it’s a final and anything can happen.
“We will be going in as underdogs, but that will not bother us. There is one thing for sure and that is we will give it a real lash, it will be not be for the want of trying.”
McLaughlin also said that flanker Chris Henry remains a doubt for the decider. “We will know a lot more (this week). The ligaments in the ankle are damaged and it will still be touch and go. As for next week’s game against Munster in Limerick, we will be sitting down to work out what we will do regarding resting and giving players game time.
Meanwhile, Connacht captain Gavin Duffy has expressed delight that the province will be playing Heineken Cup rugby next season. The weekend wins of Ulster and Leinster means that Eric Elwood’s men will again compete in the top tier.
Duffy said: “It is fantastic to know we will be there again and fair play to Ulster and Leinster for reaching the final. It was completely out of our hands but they produced the goods when it mattered and it should not be a superb final. This is another huge boost for Connacht. We spent years trying to get into the competition and it drove the game forward enormously this season after Leinster won the title last year and brought us into it. We have now got a taste of it. We can’t wait for the draw now,” said Duffy.
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