EOIN REDDAN HAS been there and done it all before, but the scrum-half admits that even the best performance Leinster have to offer may not be enough to topple reigning European Champions Toulon in this Sunday’s quarter-final.
The 33-year-old scrum-half has been at the heart of Leinster’s finest achievements and certainly won’t be shirking the challenge in Stade Mayol this weekend, but such are the wealth of options within Toulon’s squad, he struggled to identify a tougher hurdle than Bernard Laporte’s side.
“It is probably the toughest game we have had away from home, or the toughest game we have had in the Heineken Cup in a long time. It is big, big day and we’ll find out where we are at the end of it,” said Reddan.
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“They are very strong all across the park, they have loads of options in different positions. They can play different ways. We are going to have be at our very best and be ready for anything to even compete down there.
“It is very hard to put a decent spin on it. They are an excellent team, we are going to be up against it. We are away from home against a very strong pack and a team that can play rugby as well.”
The follow-up question put it to Reddan that Leinster are capable of being equally excellent. Perhaps, though, the bruises from the win over Munster were still too fresh and the quarter-final still a few days too far away for Reddan to bring himself up to match-level confidence.
“We can be. Even at our best, we’re going to find it tough this week. ”
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
If any team is capable of toppling the European champions on their own turf, however, it is the team that preceded Toulon in that role for back-to-back seasons. And after ramping up the intensity, if not efficiency, during Saturday’s win over Munster; Reddan and his more experienced team-mates will have been laying out clear areas for improvement before they board the flight to France.
“We probably need to be more consistent this week. It was bits and bobs at the weekend [against Munster]. The first half actually was pretty intense. It was a good game and the second half was up and down. This week, the nature of the knock-out competition, will mean that needs to be sustained right to the end.”
The Limerick man added: ”We need to hold onto the ball. We got stripped a lot and the way we play is dependent on being strong in that area when you carry.
“The biggest focus for us is just to focus on ourselves, and not trying stupid offloads and carrying the ball strong into contact.”
Leinster's best may not be good enough in Toulon, admits Eoin Reddan
Updated 17.30
EOIN REDDAN HAS been there and done it all before, but the scrum-half admits that even the best performance Leinster have to offer may not be enough to topple reigning European Champions Toulon in this Sunday’s quarter-final.
The 33-year-old scrum-half has been at the heart of Leinster’s finest achievements and certainly won’t be shirking the challenge in Stade Mayol this weekend, but such are the wealth of options within Toulon’s squad, he struggled to identify a tougher hurdle than Bernard Laporte’s side.
“It is probably the toughest game we have had away from home, or the toughest game we have had in the Heineken Cup in a long time. It is big, big day and we’ll find out where we are at the end of it,” said Reddan.
“They are very strong all across the park, they have loads of options in different positions. They can play different ways. We are going to have be at our very best and be ready for anything to even compete down there.
“It is very hard to put a decent spin on it. They are an excellent team, we are going to be up against it. We are away from home against a very strong pack and a team that can play rugby as well.”
The follow-up question put it to Reddan that Leinster are capable of being equally excellent. Perhaps, though, the bruises from the win over Munster were still too fresh and the quarter-final still a few days too far away for Reddan to bring himself up to match-level confidence.
“We can be. Even at our best, we’re going to find it tough this week. ”
If any team is capable of toppling the European champions on their own turf, however, it is the team that preceded Toulon in that role for back-to-back seasons. And after ramping up the intensity, if not efficiency, during Saturday’s win over Munster; Reddan and his more experienced team-mates will have been laying out clear areas for improvement before they board the flight to France.
“We probably need to be more consistent this week. It was bits and bobs at the weekend [against Munster]. The first half actually was pretty intense. It was a good game and the second half was up and down. This week, the nature of the knock-out competition, will mean that needs to be sustained right to the end.”
The Limerick man added: ”We need to hold onto the ball. We got stripped a lot and the way we play is dependent on being strong in that area when you carry.
“The biggest focus for us is just to focus on ourselves, and not trying stupid offloads and carrying the ball strong into contact.”
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European Rugby Champions Cup Eoin Reddan honest eoin Leinster Quarter-Final Toulon