CONNACHT LOCK ULTAN Dillane is confident they can get rid of another hoodoo when they take on Leinster at the RDS tomorrow.
Dillane, one of just three from the Pro12 champions to be included in Joe Schmidt’s squad for the autumn internationals, reckons they are in with a good shout of a first ever win at the Dublin venue.
Dillane believes that back-to-back wins over Leinster last season, including the unforgettable 20-10 win in the Pro12 final at Murrayfield, shows they have the measure of Leo Cullen’s men.
But the 22-year old says he is not under-estimating the task facing them tomorrow.
“I am looking forward to the challenge. We have obviously got huge respect for Leinster – they are the team that we played in the final last year,” said Dillane, who has played 34 for Connacht since making the breakthrough two years ago.
“We’ve certainly not beaten them in the RDS and it’s a huge challenge ahead for us, but all the more exciting with the group of lads we have.
“It’s all about how we learn from the little errors against them up there last time. But it’s just about getting the mindset right and training to win from the start of the week, as we always say, definitely goes a long way towards creating history for us,” said the five times capped second row.
Connacht have won their last four games in a row since they had their slow start to the season and they are top of their pool in the Champions Cup.
However, the western province are still well off the pace in the Pro12 – they are eighth despite impressive back to back victories over Edinburgh and Ulster.
But with players like Bundee Aki and Dillane signing contract extensions this week, hopes are high that Connacht can build on last season’s success.
Dillane, who can also play at blindside flanker, has been involved in every game this season as he hopes to add more strings to his bow, calling line-outs.
“Calling line-outs is a learning experience, and something I always want to improve on. Always learning is how I like to go about it, so I am enjoying it.
“Leinster have a huge set-piece, they have quality players with a stack of internationals.
“We’ve definitely got to get our mindset right for this weekend and certainly bring the physicality,” he said.
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He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)