Leinster Set For Final
It will require a performance of epic proportion from Glasgow if they are to deny Leinster a place in the final of this year’s Celtic League.
Leinster are just one step away from an appearance in the final of the Celtic League with Glasow Rugby standing between them and a place in a historic final. And Leinster go into this on foot of a marvellous record to date and the type of form that makes them favourites tonight and indeed for the overall title.
The last times the sides met , in August, Leinster won 39-11 and that day they were without Brian O’Driscoll, Nathan Spooner, Malcolm O’Kelly and Paul Wallace. Add those players into the mix, look at the way Leinster have been winning their games of late, think of how they yearn for a trophy and picture the task that faces Glasgow tonight in Lansdowne Road.
For their part Glasgow carry the expectations of their Scottish brethern as they strive for respectability in the new dawn of professionalism that saw the power concentated on the two district sides. Up to now Glasgow and Edinburgh have failed to live up to the hype and tonight Glasgow will feel that the onus is on them to deliver.
They were forced to dog it out in the quarter final against Connacht and although at times they looked pretty impressive going forward, they had just five points to spare in the end and against a home side shorn of some of it’s key players.
Leinster can up the pace whenever they like. They are capable of instigating attack from behind their own posts and as they have shown in several games this year they can absorb pressure and break the heart of any side with stinging counter attack that usually yields tries.
Glasgow will put it up to Matt Williams’s side, but Leinster will be motoring strongest in the final twenty and they could inflict real damage then, if it hasn’t been done earlier.