While Leinster were expected to emerge victorious from their Champions Cup semi-final clash with Toulouse on the weekend, their 40-17 point drubbing of the reigning champions was unexpected.
Considering Leinster could have scored more and that the score line flattered Toulouse to an extent, their tag as favourites for to win final on May 28th has grown stronger.
It must be noted that Leinster have looked imperious heading into the last three Champions Cups, but were duly humbled in the last two seasons by Saracens in 2020 and La Rochelle in 2021.
However, this season it is evident that they have improved once more, and with a fully fit squad to choose from they are likely to lift their record fifth title in 11 days time.
Pundits Heap Praise On Leinster
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, former Leinster and Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman detailed an invaluable advantage Leinster possess over most sides in Europe and one of the key reasons behind their success.
The biggest thing they have over everyone else is their second team. If their second team was in the URC I think they’d be top six. When they train on a Tuesday, they’re getting tested by another team. Most teams, if I’m being honest, they only find out on Saturday if what they’re doing is working or not. They probably have the advantage of having more competitive trainings than most teams.”
On The Times’ The Ruck Podcast, Stuart Barnes put the ever controversial contrarian Stephen Jones back in his place when Jones suggested that Toulon’s performance in their Challenge Cup win over Saracens at the weekend would have been enough to take down Leinster.
Steph saying there’s no way Leinster would have beaten Toulon is, I’m afraid, nonsense. Leinster would have beaten them comfortably in France and they would have thrashed them in Ireland, they’re an outstanding team.”
Many members of the Leinster side have improved massively in the last year, such as the likes of Hugo Keenan and Josh Van Der Flier. Jamison Gibson Park is another who has excelled this season, becoming a crucial component to the game plans of both Leinster and Ireland.
Harlequins and 84 cap England scrum-half Danny Care lavished praised on the New Zealand born Gibson Park when he spoke on BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly Podcast.
I think he’s the form nine in Europe at the moment. He’s playing in a brilliant team which obviously helps, but if there’s a Lions Tour right now he’s your starting nine. Which is mad to think, was he in the conversation a year ago?”
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