LEINSTER’S KEVIN McLAUGHLIN knows the extent of the challenge facing Leinster against Clermont on Sunday, but says that his side have to stand up to their ‘bullying’ French opponents.

Clermont have not been beaten at the Stade Marcel Michelin in 50 games and stand two points ahead of the holders in Pool 5.

The 28-year-old back row McLaughlin, however, believes that Leinster can turn their opponent’s confidence against them.

“To beat them over there you’ve got to get on top up front. They’re going to try and bully you, that’s the way they play, so you’ve got to match them there to have any chance of breaking their unbeaten run and we’ll take it from there.

“Knowing you can go to France and win big games, you take confidence from it, but it’s a slightly different kettle of fish playing them in their own backyard when they’ve got their unbeaten run.

“They’re taking us into their bearpit and they expect to beat us. They’ve every right to expect that but we’re going to try to cause an upset.”

McLaughlin was also quick to rally his team-mates in the absence of injured centre Brian O’Driscoll, who is currently recovering from ankle surgery.

“We’d like to think we’ve lots of leaders, young guys coming through to step into the breach. You can’t rely on the likes of Brian, he’s not going to be around forever, so at a time when you’re losing your key players it’s time for new players to step up.

“Eoin O’Malley stepped up a couple of years ago, and we need guys to step up this Sunday.

“It’s very early doors, and (trophies) aren’t decided in December, but there’s pressure on us. There’s a certain amount of points we need to get in the next two weeks and we’re very focused on that.”

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