Larmour in thrall to Kolbe and Co
JORDAN LARMOUR has forged his reputation on his capacity to rip open defences and it gives the Leinster flyer a special appreciation of the threats posed by Toulouse’s menace-laden backline ahead of their Champions Cup showdown at the RDS tomorrow.
In particular, Larmour holds special admiration for Cheslin Kolbe, who has been wowing the Top 14 with his speed and quick feet this season on the back of his breakthrough success with the Springboks last year.
As a highly accomplished stepper himself, the 21-year-old Larmour knows exactly how potent changing direction at top speed can be and, having seen Kolbe up close when Leinster lost in Toulouse in October, he says the diminutive magician will have to be carefully policed tomorrow afternoon.
‘You know it is going to be all hands on deck when he [Kolbe] has the ball,’ says Larmour.
‘He is pretty good off both feet, he is quick, if there is a small gap he will go through it. He seems to embarrass defenders so you know he is going to be a tough man to stop when he gets going or gets in a bit of space.
‘But there are threats all over the park, across their whole backline, so we will have to stay switched on.’
With Toulouse unbeaten at the top of Pool 1 heading into the final two rounds of group matches, two points ahead of champions Leinster, there is a massive amount of stake as both sides seek the crucial advantage of a home quarter-final.
Their first meeting in October was a classic, Toulouse fighting back for a 28-27 win which has whetted the appetite for the rematch amongst supporters and players alike.
Larmour’s sense of anticipation is heightened by his regard for the French side’s reversion to an expansive style over the last 18 months and by the aura that surrounds the four-time European champions — an exclusive club with Leinster the only other members.
‘The way they play, it is so exciting. They thrive off counter-attack, off turnover ball, you have seen the tries they have scored this season, the off-loading game they have, the pace, the players they have...they seem a pretty exciting team to watch and they are a dangerous team as well,’ he stresses.
‘We can’t let them get their offloading game away and not give them cheap turnovers because they will score tries off the back of it.
‘The first time we played them this year we spoke about their culture and the history of the club, everything they have achieved and just how much it would mean to them to win at home.
‘They showed that on the day. These last few days we have been trying to speak of that again and in the last few days it has been building in everyone’s minds again since that loss away. We know the opportunity that exists in this game and we can’t let it pass us by again.
‘Having said that, they are a better team now since we played them last time. They have threats all across the park.
‘They have some fantastic ball players, some electric talent especially in the midfield and the back field. It really is our biggest test in Europe to date. Even last year as well. It’s great we have them at home and big players rise to these big occasions.’
Taking on Toulouse in front of swathes of blue flags at the RDS is a major plus for Leinster, and one Larmour believes could make the difference.
‘Even if you look at the last few weeks, the sell-outs we have had, the people are coming to support us week in, week out,’ he acknowledged.
‘They make themselves heard. It’s different to what it is like in the south of France.
‘But we appreciate everyone who comes to the RDS and makes themselves heard. It definitely adds to the atmosphere, it means so much to the team.
‘It’s part of our culture, our history and something that is always going to be with us and grow as the team grows.’