Contepomi insists Leinster have the muscle to match Saracens
EVERYONE has a plan until they get punched in the face. This is almost as true in rugby as it is in boxing.
Ireland’s evolution from Scotland to Wales was succeeded with devolution against World Cup finalists England at Twickenham.
All the plans designed to undress the English were never revealed because the punches came hard and right through Ireland’s guard.
They were dazed by their hosts’ heavy-handed opening salvo and were 14 points down before they could counter with anything more significant than brave defence.
It is becoming easier with each defeat to buy into the theory knocking around that England have Ireland’s number based on a three-game sample size.
It is not much of a stretch to see the same thumping blows landed when Saracens visit for the Champions Cup quarter-final on April 4.
“England and Ireland are not Leinster and Saracens,” stressed Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi.
“We have many players – both sides – playing for their countries, but it’s still a different game. A different scenario and situation.
“We can learn a lot from the game, but it will be a different game.”
And still. There is the supposition to be made that England’s and Saracens’ power game is just a level above what Ireland and Leinster can come up with in the big games.
When all else fails, it is the gain line that has to be won to implement any strategy.
“You can always learn from your own games and from watching other teams’ games,” said the Argentinian.
“We have personnel in both teams that play for Leinster and Saracens and they have their own experiences and learning experiences as well.”
All we know is that England have over-powered Ireland three times and Saracens looked remarkably similar in how they dealt with Leinster in the European Cup final last May.
Contepomi simply refuses to believe that there is a power deficit to overcome.
“They know the physicality. If you go to Leinster players, I can’t see James Ryan not being physical. Rónan Kelleher, Caelan Doris, when they came in they were both very physical.
“On the other side, you see (Maro) Itoje, (George) Kruis and some others are very physical.
“But, every game is different and it comes also on how you prepare the game, how you start the game, how you’re set up for those games.
“I can’t see why the Irish players can’t be as physical as the English. I think they are.”
One thing is for sure, Leinster will need all the muscle they can muster for that April 4 quarter-final.
They don’t come much more powerful than No 8 Jack Conan, even though Doris and Max Deegan have carried that load impressively for Leinster and Ireland.
Rory O’Loughlin is another who
could be added to the mix if Garry Ringrose’s return from injury is delayed, the centre close to returning from shoulder surgery in November.
“It’s about preparing, game-plan, game management and there are loads of things to consider, not only the physicality.”
Then, Contepomi sat back into the bad memory that was Leinster’s loss to Saracens at St James Park. The rationale was well thought out and fair.
“We were 10 points ahead three minutes before half-time and then, in the second half, we started strong and couldn’t score. That’s the game,
“When you chase the game against the Sarries defence it’s hard.”
And it’s not going to get any easier.