'Phenomenal' Leinster are the 'envy' of other clubs, says Harlequins coach Danny Wilson

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson during the warm up before the game. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Harlequins boss Danny Wilson has played down fears that the English Premiership is falling behind in Europe and focused instead on a Leinster team that is the “envy of other people” in the rugby world.

Wilson was speaking in the hour after his Quins team was beaten 62-0 by the province in the Champions Cup round of 16. And this on the back of a 72-42 defeat for Saracens away to Toulon in the same competition.

“Our experience last year is we got to a semi-final and had a brilliant run in the competition, knocking over Bordeaux over there and then going and playing Toulouse and we weren’t far away in that game,” he explained.

“We have had some decent wins against URC teams as well in this campaign. Today we were completely blown away, but it is Leinster and, to me, I have experienced playing against them and having tough days and they are a very good outfit.” 

Wilson has coached with the Dragons, the Scarlets, Cardiff and Glasgow in years gone by so he certainly does understand the strength in depth that Leinster can bring to any party, and he put that into perspective in the wake of this pummelling.

“What do they have, 21 in the Ireland squad? You go through that team today and if it’s not an Irish international it’s RG Snyman, Jordie Barrett on the bench, a Test match All Black. It’s phenomenal.

“What they have created here is the consistency of a lot of good players and a system that brings through player after player. It is the envy of other people and it is going to finals and winning them is the cherry on the cake for them to finish off.

“I would only focus on Leinster and not the league, the differences in the league. We are in a salary cap competition, France and others aren’t. Or aren’t in the same position, let’s say, but we and Northampton got to the semi-finals of Europe last year.” 

Leinster scored ten tries against the English visitors who fell apart after a promising opening that ultimately produced no points and one that was complicated by the need for five temporary replacements and two late yellow cards.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen spoke of the need to avoid getting carried away. There seems little chance of that given the team’s haunted recent history in this competition, but this gives them serious momentum approaching next week’s quarter-final at home.

“Yeah, there was lots of good stuff out there, to run up a score like that,” said Cullen. “We're pleased. The most important thing is to get into the next round. We're into the quarter-finals which I believe is on Friday, so it's a short turnaround.

“You just need to move your mind quite quickly onwards. Coming off the Six Nations, a lot of players have had the chance to freshen up with a bit of time off, and with some decent training this week everyone's come back together again.

“There's a good buzz in the group, a genuine excitement and desire to want to play in the team. The majority of guys have come through the academy system. It means a huge amount to them to play for Leinster in these big games.”