Big chance for young bloods – Lancaster
STUART LANCASTER insists Leinster must be at their best tomorrow when facing a Zebre team who’ve won just three PRO14 games all season.
The Blues will be viewed as widespread favourites as the side travel to the north Italian city of Viadana for tomorrow’s match.
And although they ride high at the top of Conference B, the senior coach (pictured) urged caution ahead of the clash with Conference A’s basement side.
“We don’t envisage too many changes. They’ll be difficult to break down. They’re big, strong, physical, well-coached and they’re prepared to play out,” he observed.
“We need to be at our best. We can’t just afford to just turn up there and expect to win. There’s plenty of focus on that this week and then we’ll turn the page to our two home games.”
Management hope to give other players a chance in a blue shirt during the Six Nations period, during which Leinster will next face the Southern Kings and Cheetahs at the RDS.
“It’s a great window for the younger players or the players that are just on the fringes of the Ireland team,” Lancaster said.
“You’ve got people like Ross Byrne and Jack McGrath who are hungry to prove a point.
“And then you’ve this whole raft of young players who should come back and put a marker down again. The likes of Max Deegan and Caelan Doris. It’s great for them.”
The former England head coach admitted to feeling conflicted watching Ireland’s Six Nations opening defeat in the tournament.
Lancaster has been heavily involved in the development of players from both sides, coaching Leinster and as England boss prior to his departure following 2015’s World Cup woe.
“I tried to box myself into coaching mode and look at it analytically, you know, ‘what would I have done if?’” he reflected.
“You can’t help but look at both sides and want both teams to do well because (of ) coaching all the Ireland boys.
“But, equally, when I see the likes of Henry Slade and guys like that who were all on the pathway, the starting point. All the lads who are on 50 caps were on zero caps when I started.
“I think we said from the start that the reality is this England team should peak in 2019.”
As well as some comfort taken from England’s progress, the international competition has given Lancaster some food for thought on the domestic scene.
“We’ve looked at some of the Six Nations games and some of the trends and themes emerging but now it’s time to back what we did against Scarlets over the next three games.”
After watching Ireland’s Six Nations title defence falter, Leinster aim to avoid the same mistakes in their quest to retain the PRO14 crown.