DIVIDE AND CONQUER.. Felipe: We need to prise them apart then go in for the kill
The Blues face Glasgow at Celtic Park on Saturday but a repeat of what occurred against Saracens in Newcastle could be fatal to the province’s hopes of ending the season with silverware.
Leo Cullen’s (inset) men had opportunities to put daylight between themselves and Sarries but failed to convert and it cost them their European crown.
Leinster don’t want to relinquish their domestic one as well and backs coach Contepomi believes they must find a balance between getting the little details right and striking when the iron is hot against the in-form Scots.
“Leinster are well known for playing good, flowing rugby but I think we need to make sure that we have the proper balance of high pressure rugby,” said the Argentinian.
“These are finals. It all goes up one level when you get into finals rugby and definitely we would like to have a lot of opportunities.
“But it all starts in small little details of getting the set piece correct and then making sure we got into our shape on what we practice, moving quickly off the ball so that we get into spaces where we want to and then if we can attack.
“But there’s a lot of other things to put in place first to be able to pass and play that flowing rugby.
“There’s a lot of things that you’d like but the opposition will be playing with more intensity and putting on more pressure and so it’s hard to find space.
“You have to find the moments – and when the moments come, take the opportunities.”
Glasgow have the firepower to do just that, as illustrated by the fact that they put 50 points on an Ulster side that failed to turn up in the semi-finals.
Contepomi, who joined the province’s coaching staff after last year’s double winning triumph, is wary of what the Warriors will bring in their home city.
“They can turn around situations in the blink of an eye,” he said.
“They can turn defensive situations into attack with two, three passes; they have very good individuals as well and they are very well coached.
“They’re a very, very solid team.” ROB HARLEY believes Leinster will miss Devin Toner’s influence in Saturday’s PRO14 final.
Glasgow star Harley (left), who can operate in the second and back rows, is happy enough to avoid the province’s giant lineout director at Celtic Park.
“He’s probably one of the best