Murphy anticipating stern test from Glasgow

Leinster Skills and Kicking Coach Richie Murphy is expecting a real challenge when Glasgow Warriors visit the RDS on Saturday for the second RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final (7.35pm).

Despite doing the double over the Scottish outfit during the pool stages of the Heineken Cup, Leinster have yet to overcome Glasgow in the PRO12.

The Warriors are in a rich vein of form having registered convincing wins against Connacht, Aironi and the Cardiff Blues in recent weeks and Murphy knows the visitors will believe they can cause an upset on Saturday night.

“It’s a massive game for us,” he said. “We’ve done well in the PRO12 all year but Glasgow have already come here and beat us and we only got a draw away.

“They’re one of the few teams that we haven’t beaten in the PRO12 this year.

“It’s set up for a massive challenge, they’ll be coming with plenty of confidence and we’ll be looking forward to the battle.”

Having topped the PRO12 table and booked their place in another Heineken Cup final, Leinster have been in superb form and are favourites to progress on Saturday but having faced Glasgow on four occasions this season Murphy refuses to underestimate the challnege they represent.

“They’re strong all over the park. They’re very strong at the breakdown, and were awarded the ‘Collision Kings’ this week at the PRO12 awards.

“They’ve also got a lot of big strong backs and a lot of pace in the wide channels. They’re a very balanced team and they seem to have very good team spirit.”

With their home semi-final already secured Leinster took a relatively young and inexperienced squad to Rodney Parade to face the Dragons last weekend but still came away with a win.

Murphy admits it was a fantastic achievement for the young team and crucially for Leinster they emerged from the game with no fresh injury concerns.

“It’s a difficult place to go and we brought quite a young side over with us but the guys acquitted themselves very well and it was good to get a win there.

“Everyone has come through the weekend okay. Obviously Luke Fitzgerald is going to be out.

“We’re hoping to have Isaac Boss back on the pitch this week as well as Eoin O’Malley and there are no fresh injury worries.”