Leinster face Bath in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup this Saturday and coach Matt O’Connor has picked a very strong side.
Several of the stars who lifted the recent Six Nations trophy with Ireland will return Leinster to help them to victory.
Sean O’Brien makes only his second appearance for the province this season, where he is joined by Jamie Heaslip (who captains the side) and with Jordi Murphy. Devin Toner returns to join Mike McCarthy in the second row, while Cian Healy is back at prop, along with his international colleagues Sean Cronin and Mike Ross.
The back-line is a very strong one, with six Irish internationals, along with Australian-born Ben Te’o. Te’o was a well regarded rugby league player who played for several teams in Australia and has been capped at international level by Samoa.
He switched codes to play rugby union with Leinster last year and had an auspicious start, breaking his arm only 20 minutes into his first game. He has only played eight times overall for the province, with the ERCC quarter-final his biggest match to date.
Te’o is partnered in the centre by Ian Madigan. Madigan needs more game time at out-half, but Jimmy Gopperth is the preferred choice at number ten. Isaac Boss starts at scrum-half, while Luke Fitzgerald and Fergus McFadden are on the wings. Rob Kearney togs out at full-back. Both Fitzgerald and Kearney had strong Six Nations’ campaigns and will want to continue their form.
Leinster have some stars in the replacements as well, with Jack McGrath, Marty Moore and Richard Strauss in the forwards, and Eoin Reddan, Gordon D’Arcy and Zane Kirchner in the backs.
Bath don’t have quite so many stars, but they do have George Ford at out-half. Ford was a star for England during the recent Six Nations, and was one of the best out-halfs of the tournament (Ford was the top points scorer in the Six Nations this year). He should have a cracking battle against Gopperth. Ford is still young though, so he can’t be overawed by the occasion.
Bath also have dangerous runners in Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph (who were both Six Nations’ stars for England) and Matt Banahan. Bath also have a strong pack, including Francois Louw, Dave Attwood and Paul James.
Leinster do have the stronger team, and the home advantage, which is very important at this stage. During the Heineken Cup era, 75 per cent of quarter-finals were won by the home team.
Leinster don’t quite have the home advantage, in a sense. The game has been moved from the RDS to the much larger Aviva Stadium. Leinster feel much more comfortable in the RDS, but the game was moved to the larger venue to increase the revenue. This may affect the outcome.
Leinster have won four of their last five quarter-finals, and ten of their last 12 knock-out games. Bath have lost their last seven games played against Irish provinces, but have won nine out of ten away games in European competition.
Leinster are the bookies favourites, with odds of 8/15. Bath are at 13/8 and there are 20/1 odds for a draw after 80 minutes. Both Leinster and Bath have suffered a dip in form recently, but will be buoyed by the return of their stars. Leinster get the slight nod, due their more experienced, talented side.
The winner will travel away to face the winner of the Toulon-Wasps match on Easter Sunday. If Leinster win, they will be hoping for a Wasps victory, as they have a better chance against the English side.
Blackcanelion
Guest
Actually, pretty sure he moved to Australia at the age of 17 to go to Keebra Park. I think his parents are Samoan. So I'm guessing Samoa, NZ or Ireland if he waits are options.
Blackcanelion
Guest
Isn't Ben Teo born in Auckland? If so I'm not sure he qualifies for the Wallabies.
Dublin Dave
Guest
Scrape through was right. What has happened to Leinster's backline? It is impotent this season. It can't all be down to O'Driscoll going, can it?
Birdy
Guest
Bath will be kicking themselves. Lost it in the scrum (I think a dozen points for Leinster came from scrum penalties). If either of Bath's first or second choice tightheads had been available think they would have won with something to spare.
Bakkies
Guest
Released without charge required to go back to Wales in July for more Police queries.
Bakkies
Guest
Harry you will be pleased that Louw had a good game and pulled through. Leroy Houston has to go back to Australia given the dearth of number 8s. He looks in good shape too.
Bakkies
Guest
Leinster scrape through. Soft tries scored by Bath due to weak defensive patterns by Leinster. Can't see them winning in Marseille if the result is as expected tomorrow. Northampton got marmalised by Clermont.
Pat Malone
Guest
Who cares?
Not Bothered
Guest
Teams look pretty even to me.
Not Bothered
Guest
Off you go Steve. Better pack a snorkel. Teo is 6'2 and over 100 kgs. Not tiny.
Rod
Guest
The only footage I have seen of teo playing rugby is when he injured Warburton and he looked bigger than him at least in bulk, not sure about height. But I have seen Teo at the Coogee bay hotel , whilst he is no giant he is over 6 foot and would be over 100 kgs for sure.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Don't look at stat sheets for reliability.
Steve
Guest
If he's 6 foot 2 I'll walk to China
Bakkies
Guest
If Leinster ignore their turgid coach and play their natural game they have a good shot at it. Not going to be a full house as the fans are turning their back on O'Connor's bizarre mindset and tactics.
Harry Jones
Expert
I'll take (a) Bath because Louw & Ford will win it
Bakkies
Guest
bench
Gobbler
Guest
6"2 & 106kgs is "tiny"? You must have been looking at Alfie, there is no way Teo could be called small.
Bakkies
Guest
Mils Muliaina was arrested just before half time in the Gloucester v Connacht match.
Steve
Guest
I think he's too small. I remember seeing him in a pub in Brisbane about 4 years ago and he is tiny
soapit
Guest
disappointing to see all the converts go to the backs. given teo doesnt have a world cup deadline was hoping he might take the longer road and try to be a forward.