IT MUST BE Heineken Cup time at UCD. The marquee players are training with gusto and the scrum to chat to Martin Moore is more daunting than the broken men of Northampton Martin Moore faced at the weekend.
The Leinster tighthead entered the field of play at Franklin’s Gardens with Leinster 26-0 up and hungry for more. The three-time champions finished with 40 points but Luke Fitzgerald was not the only man who rued the failure to rack up a half century.
“It was fantastic but we know this weekend is going to be an even greater challenge,” said Moore. he Aviva Stadium has set to sell out for Saturday’s return fixture so Moore must have been doing his bit to get bums in seats.
Northampton prides themselves on their power up front, says Moore, so Leinster simply decided to get the ball into Eoin Reddan’s hands and feed a backline brimming with attacking intent. The 22-year-old is convinced, however, that the English side will put up a bigger fight in Dublin.
“They’re going to have a tough time of it all week and their fans were giving them a tough time as well,” he said. “We’re ready at the weekend and ready to do the same thing.” The Lansdowne clubman is demanding more of the same from Leinster but insists there will be no talk of bonus points in the camp.
On a personal level, Moore was satisfied with his second contribution to an away day win in the Heineken Cup. He recalled, “We played Northmpton there in a preseason game a couple of years ago and it was one of my first involvements in the team. That was a tough lesson at the time a the scoreline was reversed.
“It was good to go over there in a big competition, and stage, and get that win under the belt.” The defeat in question was a 43-0 reversal at Franklin’s Gardens. Five of the Leinster players that featured in the game featured in the 40-7 thumping on Saturday.
Moore was involved with the Ireland squad for the November Series but released for the Pro12 fixtures that have added up in Leinster’s eight game winning streak. “That was very important. There was 18 lads away in national camp so there was an onus on us to keep the momentum building for these two weeks.
“We eeked out some results; they were tough games but they gave us the belief.”
Firmino should be in the team of the year never mind alternative team. Been brilliant for Liverpool and I’m by no means a Liverpool fan
@Mel Roberts: Definilty, he’s been fantastic.
Lascelles from Newcastle has been outstanding all season. Would have him in at the back. As has Mee from Burnley.
@David OfBrien: They should do an Alternative Alternative Team of the Season.
@Alan J. McKenna: or maybe look outside of the top 6 clubs for a change. Tarkowski and vardy are the only players selected from clubs outside of the top 6.
@David OfBrien: The best players tend to come from the clubs that, you know, perform the best in the season. And you tend to find those at the top of the table. Sorry if that sounds radical.
@Alan J. McKenna: Not radical, just not very intelligent or well thought out.
Many players have performed outstandingly over the season with teams not at the top level, making their performances even better, compared with the likes of Otamemdi for example.
The top teams might have the best players, but it’s a competition for the players who’ve played the best over the season, and those should be considered.
Nice try though.
@James SonofLochlann: took the words right out of my mouth.
Andy Robertson every day of the week, most improved player and what a bargain!
Valencia in for azpilicueta without any question !
Even though Chelsea had a poor season Kante is better than Matic
No Andy Robertson, Again. Underrated obviously.
Ederson? And your reasoning being nothing to do with conventional goalkeeping.
Easy to look good in terms of clean sheets and goals conceded when your team averages like 75% possession and you face barely any shots. De Gea or Pope have clearly been the best in the league.
@Brian: Pope is great with crosses, in fairness…
Lascelles over Sanchez, bit of a donkey if I’m honest. Not very reassuring at the back.
Agree with the team overall but feel like Kante or Shane Duffy are also some good shouts