AN OLD FRIEND will arrive at the RDS this Saturday intent on giving the hosting scrum-half a torrid afternoon on the back foot.
Eoin Reddan was announced as the man-of-the-match against his former side at the Aviva Stadium and few would argue strenuously after the 80-minute silver platter he served up for Jonathan Sexton.
That game is all-but forgotten now though, as the European Champions turn their attention to a title defence.
Last season, they had to travel to the south of France to meet competition debutantes on matchday one.
This Saturday, the south of England sends the Exeter Chiefs, a side with similar motivations to announce themselves on the continental stage. And they will be led by Tom Hayes of Munster, Limerick and Bruff… and John’s house.
“He’s very skillful, he’s fast, he’s fit, he’s mobile. He’s got everything. I remember when he left I thought he’d be a loss to Irish rugby,” says Reddan of his former team-mate in Munster.
As a former exile, Reddan has been in the second row’s position. He knows just how badly an English-based Irishman wants to come back and win against one of the provinces on the big stage.
“I know when I was over there, these were games you’d love to play in. For Tom in the second row, he’s right in the mix. And it’s easy to impose yourself on the game quickly. I expect him to do that, I expect a big performance from him this weekend.”
Hayes was rested for the Chiefs much-mentioned 42-28 win over Harlequins on Saturday. That alone is fair warning: yet another opponent has targeted Leinster from a long way out – before that, Hayes had played 95 consecutive league games.
Reddan says his old team-mate and the side he leads will arrive relishing the tole of underdogs in a period of the season when Premiership sides should be at their most powerful.
Leinster won’t be shocked by what is thrown at them, the scrum half says:
‘Just a bunch of lads’
“You have a team who will try and come in under the radar and tell everyone they’re only alright and just a bunch of lads together.
“But in reality, they were very close to finishing the top four last year. They had Northampton near the end of the season, a massive fixture that they nearly won to put them in there and they’ve got some quality players – experienced, hard-nosed players.”
“So it is a big challenge. We’ve got to meet the enthusiasm and intensity they’ll come with and try and top it. In front of our home fans, you’d hope we’re able to do it, but it’s a tough task.”
