SAINT NO LET UP YET

LEINSTER v NORTHAMPTON, SAT 5.15PM

LEINSTER’S surprise Lansdowne Road 2013 defeat to Northampton is at the forefront of Garry Ringrose’s mind as the two sides prepare to meet once again.

Back then the Blues trounced the Saints at Franklin’s Gardens – as they did last Saturday – only to be ambushed in the return at the Aviva Stadium.

Now Ringrose (above) expects some needle this weekend as the Premiership leaders play for pride and their fading European hopes.

The Ireland centre said: “It’s kind of weird you have to go back and play the same team again because it rarely happens other than at this time of year.

“It’s part of the challenge. They will definitely want to react. A team of their quality, they won’t ever want to lose twice in a row.

“They’ll be coming to the Aviva to win. It’s our job to do the same thing. We are playing at home this week but the motivation is still to win no matter what.

“I just think there’s no shortage of motivation because we know how good they are and how the scoreboard flattered us a bit. They will improve and be better with the personnel that they have and also with how well coached they are.”

Ringrose admits to making mistakes and missing tackles in last week’s 43-16 win at Saints but is determined to cut the errors.

He added: “We’re under no illusions about where we are or where we need to get to. We have to be better again if we want to get a similar result.”

Leinster will have to fill the hooker position following reports that Ronan Kelleher (inset) suffered a suspected fractured hand last Saturday, while Johnny Sexton is now feared to be out for eight to 10 weeks with a medial tear in his right knee.

CONNACHT v GLOUCESTER, SAT 12.45PM