FOLLOW THE BLUESPRINT
Conan knows Leinster have the gameplan to put familiar foes to sword
JACK CONAN says Leinster have the blueprint to march into the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
The province will face Leicester in Europe for the second time in just over three months when they host the Tigers at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Leinster were 27-10 winners when the sides met at Welford Road in the pool stages, with a crucial bonus point try secured in the game’s last play.
This weekend’s encounter will be the rivals’ fourth meeting in just three seasons in the competition, with Leo Cullen’s charges winning each time.
The province geared up for this latest clash by extending their lead at the top of the URC last Friday night.
Conan scored one of seven tries against the Bulls, a game the No.8 later described as “perfect” in terms of preparation for this week.
“Leicester are quite similar in that way, quite pragmatic, massive set-piece team,” said the 31-yearold. “We obviously knew what it was like after playing them a few weeks ago over there in Welford Road.
So we’re under no illusions, it will definitely be a tough battle.
“But it’s Europe, and Europe for Leinster Rugby is absolutely huge so we’re excited.
“It’s nice to have the extended run-in as well, an eight-day turnaround, so a nice weekend off to recover and then bounce into work on Monday and prep for a massive game for the club.
“You definitely use it (the January game) as maybe a blueprint of what we did last time around, but we know it’s going to be unbelievably tough.
“Hopefully it’s a good day – it wasn’t the best day when we played them over there, the pitch was heavy and it’s a smaller pitch.
“Hopefully playing them at home on a bigger pitch will suit us more but they have a lot of players coming back over the last two weeks from England who will add a lot of value to them, and I’m sure
they’ll be raring to go as well.
“It will be a massive week of work for us and then a huge occasion on Saturday.”
Conan acknowledges that a bit of niggle has crept into the fixture, given how familiar the sides have become with each other in recent seasons.
“Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “I think it’s always nice knowing your opposition a little bit.
‘It can be difficult when you haven’t played a team before or haven’t played them in a few years.
“So we’re familiar enough with them but also they’re familiar with us, so it just means you can’t rest on your laurels and you have to go back to basics and keep on mastering those aspects of the game.
“Some of the set-piece stuff wasn’t perfect against the Bulls and we know how much of a challenge that will be if we don’t up the stakes again and up our levels.
“Ellis Genge (inset) has left Leicester but we know they’re a team with massive talent across the park and I’m sure they’ll be raring for Europe as well. It’s going to be a huge challenge.”