Leinster believes Bulls challenge will stiffen their spine

Leinster are hoping the special “kick” that his team gets from facing the Vodacom Bulls in a repeat of last year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship final will be enough to spur them to victory and not leave South Africa with two defeats from their short tour at the start of the new season.

Forwards coach Robin McBryde was adamant that the fact they are facing a repeat of last year’s final, even though the circumstances are significantly different, is a massive thing for Leinster and will work to their advantage.

The defending champs are still smarting from their 35-0 loss to the DHL Stormers last weekend and have picked up a few injuries along the way. Jordan Larmour (foot), Jamie Osborne (hamstring) and Cormac Foley (calf) all picked up knocks and are expected to be out of the game, while they still don’t have their large contingent that toured with the British and Irish Lions.

UP FOR REVENGE

“Listen, nothing focuses the mind better than the Bulls on Saturday next up. There are going to be similar challenges for us on Saturday. They're very strong up front. They’re one of the most consistent teams in the URC, three-time finalists,” McBryde told journalists.

“Then you've got the added spice of last year's final where we beat them, so they'll be up for revenge. So, it really is backs to the wall and we've got to give a much better account of ourselves on Saturday.”

McBryde also spoke about the “honesty” that the team showed in team meetings after the loss to the Stormers.

“They're very good players and, as I have said, we haven't been able to put our finger on any one thing, really, that contributed to the performance,” he added.

“There's so many areas that need improvement and how we apply ourselves.

“Leo came back from the coaches' conference at the start of the [season] and one feeling, definitely, was that everybody's going to come out gunning for us because we're the reigning champions. So it's to be expected.

NOT MUCH SYMPATHY FOR LEINSTER

“As we found following our loss against Northampton Saints, there's not that many people who sympathise with Leinster when the team loses. So it is very much up to us now, and we've got to stand up to it and come out fighting and earn the right to put on the shirt and be a part of Leinster rugby.”

McBryde also shouldered responsibility for the Stormers loss.

“I obviously didn’t prepare them well enough to stand up to the test last Friday. We have an opportunity to go again and hopefully give a better account of ourselves.”

Both sides are set to name their teams on Friday for Saturday’s game.