SO HERE THEY go again. Leinster get their Champions Cup campaign up and running on Sunday against a Bristol team who have thrilled their way to second place in the Premiership.
Pat Lam marked himself out as an attacking rugby wiseman with Connacht over a decade ago and is currently reestablishing that reputation, with Bristol’s hammering of Harlequins last weekend making it seven try-scoring bonus points in seven games so far.
The Bears are intent on running the ball from everywhere so this weekend’s clash promises to be exciting as they face a Leinster defence intent on blitzing to shut the attack down no matter the situation.
For the first time in a few years, Leinster aren’t the outright favourites for this Champions Cup. The defending champions, Toulouse, have that status following their stunning double success last season.
But it’s not as if anyone is writing Leinster off. Far from it. Their squad, already chock-block full of Ireland internationals, has been reinforced with experienced French tighthead Rabah Slimani, who showed his scrummaging prowess against Ulster last weekend, and two-time World Cup-winning lock RG Snyman, who has been busy so far this season, adding another dimension with his offloading.
The newest addition is All Blacks star Jordie Barrett, who arrived last week after New Zealand’s autumn Tests campaign concluded. The 27-year-old wasn’t quite at his peak in those internationals but his best makes him one of rugby’s truly elite operators.
He is a magnificent player to add to a backline that already features Ireland centres Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose, as well as Ireland fullback Hugo Keenan. Barrett’s two best positions are inside centre and fullback so it remains to be seen how he fits in.
Having a luxury of riches is the ideal scenario for any coach and Leo Cullen, fresh from having his new two-year contract confirmed, knows that he has an enviably strong hand to play with.
His contract extension made sense. Leinster have been in the last three Champions Cup finals, an impressive level of consistency. All three of the defeats to La Rochelle and Toulouse have been by fine margins.
It’s understandable that people question why Cullen can’t get them over the line but the two French clubs have had brilliant teams too. It’s not as if Leinster have failed to turn up and lost to inferior teams in those deciders.
While their supporters might worry that the psychological scars from those finals could mean the pattern continues, Leinster have to get back on the bike again in the months ahead and earn their place in the final in Cardiff in May 2025
There’s no doubt the URC has fallen by the wayside due to Leinster’s obsession with winning the province’s first Champions Cup title since 2018.
For three seasons in a row, Leinster have fallen at the semi-final stage in the URC. The Bulls, Munster, and the Bulls again have done the damage. These failures to even make the URC final are arguably a bigger deal than not winning the Champions Cup but if Leinster had got over the line in one of the finals of the latter competition, the truth is that no one would care all that much about the URC misses.
For better or worse, Leinster judge themselves on Champions Cup titles. You don’t get the sense that coming up short in the URC causes this group many sleepless nights, even if they look more determined than ever to put that part of the record straight this season.
They’ve made a scintillating start in the URC with seven wins from seven, six with bonus points. There has been a steely edge to Leinster’s performances, a clear intent not to leave anything behind them along the way, earning home advantage for the knock-outs.
That’s all parked for this coming fortnight as Leinster travel to Bristol and then host Clermont at the Aviva Stadium on 14 December.
There’s an intriguing visit to La Rochelle on 12 January and a home clash against Premiership leaders Bath a week later, so Cullen’s men need to be sharp in this pool campaign against some good opponents.
Ireland having four November Tests means there won’t be much time to reintegrate their internationals ahead of the Bristol game but many of that big crop of Leinster players are battle-hardened.
It will be interesting to see who Cullen and senior coach Jacques Nienaber opt for at out-half, with Ciarán Frawley, Sam Prendergast, and Ross Byrne having all started games at number 10 so far this season. That’s a key selection call.
As ever, there is fierce competition in the back row while there will be headaches in the backline if everyone is fit. That’s one of the reasons Leinster have to be in the mix for the Champions Cup title once again this season. Their squad is too good not to be contending.
Yet they have no divine right to win this competition just because they look good on paper or because they’ve suffered heartbreak in the last three years.
With familiar foes Toulouse and La Rochelle looking to add to their trophy cabinets, as well as new hopefuls like Bordeaux, Bath, and the Bulls aiming high, Leinster have hard work ahead.
“His contract extension made sense. Leinster have been in the last three Champions Cup finals, an impressive level of consistency. All three of the defeats to La Rochelle and Toulouse have been by fine margins.
It’s understandable that people question why Cullen can’t get them over the line but the two French clubs have had brilliant teams too. It’s not as if Leinster have failed to turn up and lost to inferior teams in those deciders.”
Perfectly put, Murray. I have been (unsuccessfully) trying to articulate exactly this when supporters complain about the 2 year contract and our lack of silverware. This is why you are paid the big bucks!!
@Paul Ennis: stop talking absolute sense Paul. It’s not what the trolls want to hear here. Neither you, the IRFU nor Leinster know what they are doing. Leinster rugby is a shambles, Ireland are a shambles, Andy Farrell, Leo Cullen, Paul O’Connell, Denis Leamy etc etc should all be sacked. They are clueless The all knowing experts here, and god knows there are many, know better and should replace these hopeless coaches. Can you imagine the dizzying heights Irish rugby would reach if only that happened
@Paul Ennis: My thoughts exactly Paul. The arrogance and entitlement of a minority of Leinster fans is something else – Toulouse, Sarries and La Rochelle have been absolutely quality opponents. And each final has been so tight, it’s not as if they are showing up then being blown away. These same fans calling for Cullen’s head must conveniently forget the 2 grim seasons under MOC before he came on board! Endure. Persevere. We’ll get their in the end eventually/hopefully!
@Carmine Lorenzo: I’m a Munster fan but always support the Irish provinces against foreign opponents. In isolation, those 3 CC finals were all tight games but those margins separate the greats (Toulouse) from the nearly men (who will remember those Clermont and Racing teams that delighted fans but won 0). However where I’d criticize Cullen is the displays at the business end of the URC. Ironically, the prestige of the CC is tumbling (audiences and revenues well down on the glory days of the competition) and interest in the URC is really growing. Leinster have the best squad in the URC by far but keep getting bullied out of it by the Bulls, Munster when it counts. That’s probably unacceptable given the difference in ressources.
@Michael Corkery: keep getting bullied by Munster when it counts?? You’re referring to the solitary win in 2023 when Leinster full focus was on CC sent out a mixed side who were disinterested. Munster have been knocked out by Leinster in every other knockout vs Leinster since 2011. Don’t forget that
@adizlack93: my point isn’t about Munster. The Bulls have also beaten Leinster twice in Knock out games also. Leinster definitely seize up a bit in tight KO games IMO. It’s not just the CC.
@Michael Corkery: I get what you’re saying and as a fan am a whole lot more aware of it than you are. But my point is it is certainly not against Munster but the best team in Europe on the day…
@Michael Corkery: Yep the last 3 urc semi finals haven’t been good enough. I don’t think I’d agree that Munster bullied them however. It was one of the very few minster wins in recent years after all. But until they break the hoodoo, this will be the stick they’re beaten with so only Leinster can correct that.
@Paul Ennis: length of contract was probably the only brow raiser unless they caveated he has to win either URC or ERC in year 1
IMO any team to face Leinster in the upcoming CC will have that extra fight in them to beat Leinster and make it difficult for them to progress in this competition… Leinster have really put themselves in the spotlight as to how much this 5th star means to them above everything else …. The 3 big name signings demonstrates how much Cullen and Leinster really want this 5th star…. ⭐ Best of luck to them it’s probably what’s needed to win this competition against the big French star packed squads and not forgetting the English teams …. JVG (Bath) would love to pull one over on Leinster for old time sake…
@Den: I am not sure that Leinster get quite as much attention in England or France as they do here. If anything, some teams show a disinterest rather than an extra fight when visiting Dublin. The big test comes in the New Year when visiting La Rochelle. Having said that, a victory in that game might not be as essential as last year because the ROG demons have been exorcised. An away route through the knockouts might be a blessing in disguise… assuming of course it all doesn’t come undone by the scintillating Pat Lam attack this weekend!
@Paul Ennis: Seven time finalists in this competition….. every team in this competition is fully up to date with Leinster…. Also known as the Irish International squad….. with now the strengthen of 3 world class players ….
@Den: what weird point are you trying to make with your …. ?
@Den: Any team coming up against Leinster will have to be at their best and hope that Leinster are off theirs. Same goes v Toulouse or La Rochelle. They are the 3 to beat and don’t be surprised if the Semi Finalists are a combination of those 3 plus one of Bordeaux / Saracens / Bath. When it gets to that stage, I think each team will be focused on their own game rather than getting one over Leinster.
@Paul Ennis: Don’t rule out the South Africans too
@Kevin Ryan: Maybe… the SF away rule makes it very difficult for them
@Paul Ennis: Agree…. I’ll be keeping a close on the Bath v La Roch…. You’ll see where La Rochelle are for this season.., they’re not doing great in the Pro 14 beaten at home last week…. We’ll see this weekend if they have a big focus on their 3 ⭐️… just a thought. This should be a cracker…