LOOKING ROSEY
Leinster
22
Exeter
17 GARRY RINGROSE predicts Leinster are ready to deal with more tales of the unexpected after their Champions Cup semi-final disappointment in May.
A disastrous opening quarter against Clermont put paid to the Blues’ hopes back then of making the European decider for the first time since 2012.
But that painful experience was put to good use at the Aviva on Saturday when Leo Cullen’s side recovered from a 17-3 deficit to beat Premiership champs Exeter.
It came six days after a gritty win at the Chiefs and showed again the Blues have the character to go all the way – even if they still have to prove they have the consistency.
Ringrose said: “It is about being composed at times under pressure, especially coming up against sides like Exeter who are so good.
“Likewise against Clermont last year we were naive at times – and me personally as well.
“What’s driven by the coaches and the senior players is that whether we do win or lose we try to learn as much as possible.”
What will encourage Cullen, Stuart Lancaster and the rest of the management team is that the players overcame a number of big setbacks to win. Leinster conceded a third minute try and Johnny Sexton came off injured in the aftermath while replacement Ross Byrne had to pass a head injury assessment to continue.
Cian Healy and Scott Fardy were both binned in the first half too but the province finished it strongly before shutting out Exeter in the second.
“You’ve got to be prepared mentally for the unexpected,” said Ringrose. “It happens, there’s always yellow cards and there’s HIAS now – the medical team are hot on straight away, they don’t take any chances. You have to be prepared for those circumstances.”
Ringrose had been out since the summer through injury and only returned for the recent PRO14 win at Treviso.
In his absence Bundee Aki, Chris Farrell and Stuart Mccloskey performed well for Ireland.
It puts an added emphasis on the Christmas period with Six Nations places up for grabs. The Dubliner said: “I wasn’t getting too bogged down with what else was going on, what was in my control was that first game back.
“I knew the games were coming up against Exeter and I was trying to best prepare myself to put my hand up for selection.” LEO CULLEN has defended his players’ bravery in the tackle and insisted that full-on commitment is what puts bums on seats.
Both Johnny Sexton (left) and Ross Byrne suffered head knocks in attempting to make big tackles on Saturday - Byrne was successful where Sexton was not.
Sean Cronin also lost a front tooth and, despite concerns over the manner of some of the tackling causing injury, Cullen was having none of it later. The Leinster boss said: “If you look back on the history of the game and all the incidents where people just got up and played on, that just doesn’t happen anymore because player safety is paramount.
“Our medics are under huge scrutiny all the time now and maybe rightly so.
“There’s a huge amount of pressure on those guys, they’re cautious. A lot of people are getting knocks but why are
POOL 3
people attracted to the game? Because it is a physical game. It’s amazing the values there, where guys are flying into contact areas and putting their bodies on the line.
“That’s the amazing thing about the game. It’s an amazing sport where guys are willing to sacrifice themselves like that and that’s why people want to turn up I guess.
“When I was a kid playing rugby for the first time, what did I enjoy about rugby? Going around tackling people!”