LEINSTER COACH JOE SCHMIDT says that his side will have to be wary of the threat of Tim Visser when they come up against Edinburgh in Friday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash at Murrayfield.
The Heineken Cup holders travel to Scotland having recorded their first win in four games against Connacht last weekend.
Leinster are currently four places above Edinburgh in the table, in fifth spot, but Schmidt knows that games between the two sides are rarely straightforward.
“They have a big abrasive set of forwards and proven international performers throughout,” said Schmidt.
“With a player like Tim Visser in their ranks, who is racing clear at the top of the try-scoring charts again this year, we can’t afford any defensive lapses. Greig Laidlaw controls the game for them at either scrum-half or outhalf and they have a number of very effective ball carriers led by the likes of Dave Denton and Netani Talei.
“Edinburgh will be keen to get back to winning ways after their narrow defeats to Glasgow over the Christmas period and they showed real character to come back and almost snatch the win last weekend after Glasgow got away to a flying start.”
Schmidt is hopeful that the pivotal quartet of Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa, Rob Kearney and Brian O’Driscoll will all be fit in time for the match, while Cian Healy, Kevin McLaughlin, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Jonathan Sexton will also make the trip.
“With a short six-day turnaround, the focus in the early part of this week is about nursing knocks and reintegrating players back into the group as a number of players haven’t had much game time in recent weeks.
“It can be easy to allow your mind to drift because January is shaping up to be a big month for us in the context of the season across both competitions, but we’re very much focused on Edinburgh and what is sure to be another stiff test this weekend.”
