As the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages loom, Leinster, under the leadership of Leo Cullen, find themselves in the unusual position of underdogs. Despite a perfect record in the pool stages, their performance in the United Rugby Championship leaves something to be desired, having secured nine wins out of 14. This is a slight downturn for a team typically dominating their league.
Despite the odds, Matt Williams has voiced that Leinster remains Ireland's prime contender for silverware. “This year, instead of being front runners, Leinster are coming around the final curve in the unfamiliar position of one wide and one back. The men in blue are happily watching the pressure that is usually on them clamp on to the shoulders of others,” he noted in his column for the Irish Times.
The toll of last year’s British and Irish Lions tour is evident, with many key players from Leinster and Ireland feeling the strain. Williams pointed out, “With almost his entire team selected on last year’s Lions tour, the first three-quarters of this season have been more than difficult for Cullen to manage.” However, with top internationals poised to return from injuries and national duties, Leinster is expected to regain its formidable form.
“One week out from the Champions Cup Round of 16 and once again it is Leinster, under the calm and careful guidance of Leo Cullen, who are the best positioned of the Irish provincial teams.”
However, Williams didn’t shy away from critiquing the team's defensive tactics, especially under Jacques Nienaber’s direction. He predicted vulnerabilities against strong teams due to a defensive setup that’s too narrow, particularly from scrum set plays. “I hope it is simply a bunch of old guys getting it wrong, but I have not spoken to a single former Leinster player who is not concerned with the club’s defensive system, which is still leaving huge tracts of space out wide unmarked, especially from scrum set plays,” Williams elaborated.
Williams also threw a jab at Munster's defensive efforts, stating, “Munster’s season is not yet over, but without a huge change in their passion and desire to tackle, it will be soon.” As the season progresses, it will be crucial to see how both teams adapt and overcome their current challenges.
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As the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages loom, Leinster, under the leadership of Leo Cullen, find themselves in the unusual position of underdogs. Despite a perfect record in the pool stages, their performance in the United Rugby Championship leaves something to be desired, having secured nine wins out of 14. This is a slight downturn for a team typically dominating their league.
Despite the odds, Matt Williams has voiced that Leinster remains Ireland's prime contender for silverware. “This year, instead of being front runners, Leinster are coming around the final curve in the unfamiliar position of one wide and one back. The men in blue are happily watching the pressure that is usually on them clamp on to the shoulders of others,” he noted in his column for the Irish Times.
The toll of last year’s British and Irish Lions tour is evident, with many key players from Leinster and Ireland feeling the strain. Williams pointed out, “With almost his entire team selected on last year’s Lions tour, the first three-quarters of this season have been more than difficult for Cullen to manage.” However, with top internationals poised to return from injuries and national duties, Leinster is expected to regain its formidable form.
“One week out from the Champions Cup Round of 16 and once again it is Leinster, under the calm and careful guidance of Leo Cullen, who are the best positioned of the Irish provincial teams.”
However, Williams didn’t shy away from critiquing the team's defensive tactics, especially under Jacques Nienaber’s direction. He predicted vulnerabilities against strong teams due to a defensive setup that’s too narrow, particularly from scrum set plays. “I hope it is simply a bunch of old guys getting it wrong, but I have not spoken to a single former Leinster player who is not concerned with the club’s defensive system, which is still leaving huge tracts of space out wide unmarked, especially from scrum set plays,” Williams elaborated.
Williams also threw a jab at Munster's defensive efforts, stating, “Munster’s season is not yet over, but without a huge change in their passion and desire to tackle, it will be soon.” As the season progresses, it will be crucial to see how both teams adapt and overcome their current challenges.