LEINSTER’S Gordan D’Arcy says they can learn a thing or two from Connacht ahead of this weekend’s Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final.
Eric Elwood’s side defeated Saturday’s opponents Biarritz by a scoreline of 22-14 in the Heineken Cup before losing out in the return fixture a week later back in December.
Reigning European champions Leinster are looking to book a spot in the May 17 final at the RDS and, speaking to TheScore.ie yesterday, the Ireland centre said: “One of the things that Connacht did was they set up a platform up front.
“Rugby is not an essentially complicated game if the tight five lay down a marker and win the set piece and you win the collisions and the tackle line, invariably you come out on top.
“I think there is going to be a hugely physical element to this game this weekend. They have got a big pack. They do like to play rugby, so do we, but I think it is all going to start at the physicality and the breakdown of course, as we say week-in, week-out is going to be a massive telling point for this one.”
On the French side, he added: “They were seventh the last time I checked, so they have already dropped down (the league), so this is all or nothing for them.
They can’t win the Top 14. They are not going to challenge in that. They want to be in Europe next year – this is their way into it and they want to win another trophy.
“Like they way we were back-to-back champions in the Heineken (Cup), these guys would love to be the first team to defend the Amlin back-to-back.”
