THERE’S PLENTY WRONG with Leinster’s performances of late, but at least complacency can’t be added to the list.
After scrapping out a home win over Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, Leinster turn the focus back to the Pro12 for another intriguing set of fixtures.
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And it just so happens that at a time when they most needed to steady the ship, the all-action rock ‘n’ roll stylings of Connacht are making their way to the RDS.
“It’s kind of make or break, isn’t it? We’re fifth, Connacht sixth,” comes Devin Toner’s succinct preview. And with the top four teams playing each other while the provinces from east and west bid to improve on their total of 28 and 27 points respectively, this weekend could prove a pivotal one in the season.
“If we beat Connacht we’ll be in the top four because teams in the top four will be taking points off each other,” adds the lock.
“Including these last two games [against Quins], it’s a massive block of rugby to get through and it’s make or break for our season.”
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
To ‘make’ it Leinster will have to burst the bubble of a Connacht side with six wins from their last eight outings and, more importantly, an ever-rising confidence in their own abilities.
“They’ve made some great signings, they’ve got great belief and team ethic about them. So we know how hard it’s going to be. They’ve obviously been getting better and better all the time so we’re going to have a huge test this weekend.”
A fact brought home even further by the fresh memory of Leinster’s 10 – 9 defeat to Pat Lam’s side at the Sportsground, four months to the day before this Friday’s fixture.
“Much like that game in Galway, they’re going to be very tough to break down. Set-piece is going to be hugely important and we’re going to have to negate their threats.”
“I don’t think we are performing to the best of our ability, lads are frustrated that we’re just not getting there, but we know that the skill’s there and we know that we can do it.”
Leinster lock Toner treating Connacht match as 'make or break'
THERE’S PLENTY WRONG with Leinster’s performances of late, but at least complacency can’t be added to the list.
After scrapping out a home win over Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, Leinster turn the focus back to the Pro12 for another intriguing set of fixtures.
And it just so happens that at a time when they most needed to steady the ship, the all-action rock ‘n’ roll stylings of Connacht are making their way to the RDS.
“It’s kind of make or break, isn’t it? We’re fifth, Connacht sixth,” comes Devin Toner’s succinct preview. And with the top four teams playing each other while the provinces from east and west bid to improve on their total of 28 and 27 points respectively, this weekend could prove a pivotal one in the season.
“If we beat Connacht we’ll be in the top four because teams in the top four will be taking points off each other,” adds the lock.
“Including these last two games [against Quins], it’s a massive block of rugby to get through and it’s make or break for our season.”
To ‘make’ it Leinster will have to burst the bubble of a Connacht side with six wins from their last eight outings and, more importantly, an ever-rising confidence in their own abilities.
A fact brought home even further by the fresh memory of Leinster’s 10 – 9 defeat to Pat Lam’s side at the Sportsground, four months to the day before this Friday’s fixture.
“Much like that game in Galway, they’re going to be very tough to break down. Set-piece is going to be hugely important and we’re going to have to negate their threats.”
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