DAN DESPERATE TO KEEP ULSTER ON THE BACK FOOT
DAN LEAVY says Leinster are ready for a backlash from Ulster.
Les Kiss’s men went down 41-17 to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup last Sunday, a day after Leinster put four tries past Glasgow to maintain their 100% start to the competition.
Now the Irish pair meet in Kingspan Stadium on Saturday, where Leavy is expected to make only his fourth appearance of the season for the Blues after undergoing ankle injury six weeks ago.
“It depends how you take a defeat like that – you can suffer a heavy loss and stay down or bounce back,” Leavy said. “But Ulster will definitely bounce back. They are a serious outfit and they will be hurting from that game.
“They’re a pretty potent team. We have to be ready for a serious physical encounter.
“It’s up to us to go up there and be disciplined and not give them much momentum, keep the pressure on and keep ourselves in the game as long as possible.”
Ulster have won their last five home games against Leinster but Leavy is bullish about the Blues prospects.
He said: “I know they are a very high calibre of player and I’ll respect them, but we want to go up there and look for a victory.”
Leavy is expected to be named in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad today for the November series against South Africa, Fjii and Argentina.
The flanker has just four caps to his name since making his debut against Canada last November, but hopes he’s done enough to convince Joe Schmidt to keep him involved.
“I hope I’ve credit in the bank ahead of November, but the decision isn’t up to me,” he said. “All I can do is keep trucking, try and put in some big performances for Leinster.
“We have Ulster then Glasgow away and then into the November break. It’s not really in my hands.”