Leinster face Sale Sharks test after Edinburgh scare in Champions Cup

By Chris Collyer

For the casual viewer, last Saturday’s Round of 16 clash between Leinster and Edinburgh seemed like business as usual for the home side, were it not for three expertly taken interception tries – two from Ross Thompson and another from Matt Currie.

Edinburgh currently sit 13th in the United Rugby Championship table and have endured a mixed season across domestic and European competitions, with their last win in the URC coming back in February.

Since then, they’ve endured both heavy defeats and near misses, but for a team with nothing to lose, they still put 31 points on the current URC Champions and Champions Cup contenders.

Sean Everitt’s team had certainly done their homework.

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Edinburgh’s intercepts were no accident

With Leinster putting together a multi-phased flowing attack, quick ball, and their usual trademark pace, some of their set-pieces were read perfectly by Thompson and Curry to disrupt the play and allowed them to keep intercepting the ball to keep their hopes of winning the contest alive.

The general consensus is that Leinster “gifted” the three tries to the Scottish side, but for me, it was a case of excellent game reading and skillset combined with a never-say-die attitude from Edinburgh.

This was apparent in the run-up to Rieko Ioane’s stunning try in the corner when Darcy Graham attempted yet another intercept, but this time came up short.

For me, the intercepts were not the fault of the defence as Leinster were in full attack mode when they were picked off.

Ioane has come under scrutiny recently. Any rock and roll signing Leinster landed after Jordie Barrett’s outstanding season last year would certainly have his work cut out, but in his time at Leinster, it seems he hasn’t quite made his mark yet.

However, with his try in the corner after a superb dummy that led to Leinster’s win perfectly demonstrated the All-Black’s talent and should have silenced some of the doubters.

Irish internationals show their edge

Graham himself was famously quoted in this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations saying that “Ireland are there for the taking”, and considering that 14 of the starters for this game were Irish Internationals, it’s hard to imagine that they hadn’t forgotten Darcy’s choice of words.

With these 14 internationals and an All Black starting, including the return of full-back Hugo Keenan, who put in a performance as if he had never been away, Leinster got the job done and looked as if they were trying new things.

Seeing as this was the first time the entire team have actually been together for a while, what with injury and international duties, it seemed risky but the right game to reconnect.

Leo Cullen’s men looked back to their old ways, and for a team that endures more expectation than any other club, for some, it seems like their season is just starting.

Edinburgh’s well-deserved lead only lasted four minutes before Leinster changed their tactics and set up an anticipated semi-final against Sale Sharks.

Can Leinster earn a fifth star?

The Sharks are currently without front row pair Bevan Rodd, who dislocated his shoulder against Harlequins and Luke Cowan-Dickie, who suffered a potential break in his arm.

On top of that, hooker Nathan Jibulu is banned for six weeks for a bite on Will Hobson, so the Sharks strength in depth, particularly in the front row, will be tested against a very hungry Leinster who always seem to go up a gear in this competition.

If Leinster are to achieve their fifth star, then the speed of which they played, coupled with the rush up defence, needs to be at its peak to go toe to toe with the likes of Bordeaux, Toulouse, Northampton Saints or Bath.

Despite some unexpected losses domestically and the loss of RG Snyman to injury, Leinster have a deep well of experience and talent to draw from and, as Ireland proved against England at Twickenham, they can thrive with the underdog tag when they need to.

Should they get the win this Saturday against Sale, they have a chance to right some wrongs in Scotstoun against Glasgow Warriors, unless Toulon pull out a masterclass away from home.

Either way, no team will be hungrier than Leinster.    

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