CLERMONT AUVERGNE WING Julien Malzieu cannot wait to get involved in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Leinster on Sunday.
The veteran has played with Clermont Auvergne for his entire career and Sunday’s clash is the first time the French club have reached the final four of Europe’s premier club competition.
Clermont Auvergne have bowed out in the quarter-final stage of the Heineken Cup on three previous occasions and Malzieu said it was a special moment for his club to finally make it to the final four and take on the reigning champions at Stade Chaban Delmas in Bordeaux.
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“It’s a special game because it’s a European Cup semi-final and Clermont have never played at that level,” Malzieu said. ”To reach this stage of the competition is brilliant as we have all dreamed about it.
“I think it will be a special game and we all want to be part of it.”
Malzieu is expecting a tough challenge from Leinster and said his team must stay focused defensively to have the best chance of progressing to May’s final at Twickenham.
“We have to be focused defensively like we were since the beginning of the season,” he said. ”We will need to prevent them (Leinster) from going forward. If not, it will be hard for us.
“When they play with all their abilities they don’t have any weakness.”
And Malzieu said the fact that Clermont Auvergne will be playing in their own country, will hopefully prove a decisive advantage.
“We won’t be at home, but it’s like playing in front of our fans,” he said. “It will help as there will be a big part of our supporters in the stadium. It will be important and will help us surpass ourselves and give our best.”
Malzieu honoured to play in 'special' game against Leinster
CLERMONT AUVERGNE WING Julien Malzieu cannot wait to get involved in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Leinster on Sunday.
The veteran has played with Clermont Auvergne for his entire career and Sunday’s clash is the first time the French club have reached the final four of Europe’s premier club competition.
Clermont Auvergne have bowed out in the quarter-final stage of the Heineken Cup on three previous occasions and Malzieu said it was a special moment for his club to finally make it to the final four and take on the reigning champions at Stade Chaban Delmas in Bordeaux.
“It’s a special game because it’s a European Cup semi-final and Clermont have never played at that level,” Malzieu said. ”To reach this stage of the competition is brilliant as we have all dreamed about it.
“I think it will be a special game and we all want to be part of it.”
Malzieu is expecting a tough challenge from Leinster and said his team must stay focused defensively to have the best chance of progressing to May’s final at Twickenham.
“We have to be focused defensively like we were since the beginning of the season,” he said. ”We will need to prevent them (Leinster) from going forward. If not, it will be hard for us.
“When they play with all their abilities they don’t have any weakness.”
And Malzieu said the fact that Clermont Auvergne will be playing in their own country, will hopefully prove a decisive advantage.
“We won’t be at home, but it’s like playing in front of our fans,” he said. “It will help as there will be a big part of our supporters in the stadium. It will be important and will help us surpass ourselves and give our best.”
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