McFadden: Leinster caught unprepared

Leinster were unprepared mentally or physically for last week’s season-opening defeat to Glasgow, according to Fergus McFadden, who hopes the last-gasp defeat may prove a blessing in disguise.

The PRO12 champions took on the side they defeated in the league final last May in the Scottish city four days ago, and almost pipped the win, having trailed 19-3 at the break and conceded three tries.

The loss was made all the more unpalatable as the visitors had fashioned an unlikely late lead, only to concede a last-gasp penalty for offside, which was called by the touch judge and converted for the win by Stuart Hogg.

McFadden was one of those straying into the wrong place at the wrong time when the penalty was awarded but he had been unaware that it was second row Tom Denton who was pinged for the indiscretion.

“Was it? Listen, the linesman hadn’t called anything all game and he called offside in the last play of the game,” said McFadden ahead of Saturday’s tie with Scarlets at the RDS.

“In the balance of things, we didn’t deserve to win the game so it is probably a lesson learned from losing three points rather than brushing it under the carpet having played badly and got the win.”

The loss was Leinster’s sixth opening weekend defeat in the last seven seasons, even though they fielded a starting XV with 10 internationals and had as many of those who featured in last May’s decider available as their hosts.

The most disappointing aspect for McFadden was the number of missed tackles and he posted warning of the consequences of any repeat against a Scarlets side that favours the same high tempo and offloading style as Glasgow.

“There were a couple of positives, but for 60 minutes, we were generally second best. That hurt us most. We knew they were going to come out of the blocks, considering we beat them in the final here last year. We just weren’t prepared for that mentally or physically for that first 40, and it showed on the scoreboard. Listen, from going in at half-time to getting one point was okay. It was just disappointing after putting ourselves in a winning position, to let it slip.”

It was a deflating experience on the back of such positive news earlier in the week that Jonathan Sexton would be ending his exile in Paris and returning to his old club, though that was old news by that stage.&

“There certainly wasn’t a buzz about the place,” said McFadden. “People knew about it but Jonny is a close friend and it is great for him he can come home with his wife and kid.

“We have Jimmy and Mads in that role at the moment. When Jonny comes back, world class as he is, he will have to fight for his place, like everyone else. It’s only going to be good for Leinster and best of luck for him for the season with Racing.”

There was good news for Leinster yesterday with positive reports on Sean O’Brien and Madigan, both of whom sat out training after the Glasgow trip, but who are expected to be available.

Noel Reid, who was replaced after only a minute with an ankle injury, is also progressing well meaning Leinster are only training right now with long-term absentees Luke Fitzgerald, Richardt Strauss and Dave Kearney.