HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP SCENARIOS TOP DOGS LEINSTER DETERMINED TO FIGHT TO THE FINISH
Benetton
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Leinster 1pm
LEO CULLEN wants Leinster to “finish the job” in Treviso as he hands his DVD back row a licence to thrill.
The Blues boss has watched his side rack up five wins from five in their pool and beating Benetton today would secure top seeding for the knock-out stages.
Ulster Bath
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With James Ryan back from a calf injury, Cullen has made four changes – all in the pack – and is unleashing a dynamic back row trio in the shape of in-form Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris against the Italians.
Deegan, who was man of the match at No.8 for the past two weeks, switches to blindside flanker to accommodate Doris
P Clermont .................. 5 Ulster .......................... 5 Harlequins ............... 5 Bath ............................ 5 replacing Rhys Ruddock as Leinster seek the win that will give them what they want.
“Home advantage is huge,” said Cullen. “We’ve got ourselves into a great position, let’s just go out and deliver a performance – be nice and clinical in terms of taking opportunities.
W 4 4 2 0
P Leinster ..................... 5 Northampton ......... 5 Lyon ............................ 5 Benetton .................. 5 (recent) winning record we have here,” said Cooney.
“You nearly have your rituals when you’re at home and as a collective we feel really good when we’re playing here. We have good momentum at home.”
With nine tries in 14 games this season and top scorer in the Champions Cup with 67 points, it stands to reason Cooney is being talked up as a potential starter for Ireland against Scotland in the Six Nations on February 1.
Conor Murray, the 78-times capped incumbent, might have plenty to say about that, but the adopted Ulsterman is relishing the personal tussles to come.
Asked if he’s ready to start high-profile games for Ireland, Cooney – who moved north from Connacht in 2017 with that exact target in mind – said: “I’d like to think I am.
“I’d like an opportunity to show what I can do. It would be nice to get that, but it depends how he (Andy Farrell) wants to go, if he wants to pick Conor, Luke (Mcgrath) or whoever.” Full-back Addison (inset) has been passed fit to face Bath, but prop Marty Moore misses out with an ankle injury.
D 0 0 0 0
L 1 1 3 5
Mentally stay in the moment. Let’s not think too far ahead about other things that we can’t control.”
Benetton haven’t enjoyed the same kind of results that pushed them into the PRO14 quarter-finals last season.
W 5 3 1 1
D 0 0 0 0
F 181 107 95 87
L 0 2 4 4
A 95 92 140 143
F 181 130 84 96
Pts 20 17 9 4
A 76 159 105 151
Pts 24 14 7 6
POOL 1
Leinster have the group sewn up but Northampton can join them in the quarterfinals if they secure one of the three spots reserved for the best runners-up. That ranking is decided on points won and then, if equal, on points difference.
POOL 2
Exeter are in the knockout stages and can make certain of a home quarter-final – handed out to the top four group winners – if they beat La Rochelle at Sandy Park. Glasgow can progress in second but need a favour from elsewhere.
POOL 3
Clermont are already through to the last eight and are likely to be joined by Ulster. Victory over Bath in Belfast will confirm it and could even earn the Ulstermen top spot if Clermont slip up against Harlequins.
POOL 4
Saracens, the European champions, are well placed to make the knockout stages for the ninth successive season with the best points difference of the clubs locked on 14 points as they face group winners Racing at Allianz
Park. However, Munster are still not out of it if Racing win.
POOL 5
Gloucester have a chance of a runners-up spot but have the toughest assignment of all the contenders with a trip to unbeaten pool winners Toulouse.
“Over the last few weeks they lost a Iot of tight games which seems to have affected their confidence, whereas they were winning those tight games last year,” said Cullen. “Ultimately, they’re a well-coached team. They’re very big and physical, and when they’re at home, they have a lot more zip and oomph about them.”