Leinster Switch Focus Back To League Tilt
The Leinster squad trained at the RDS today as they build towards Friday’s final round meeting with Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League.
Joe Schmidt and his management team report no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game against Glasgow at the Ballsbridge venue.
On the back of their qualification for the Heineken Cup final, the province are hoping to secure a home semi-final in the Magners League play-offs.
Jonathan Sexton’s 22-point haul against Toulouse last Saturday took him to 194 points in 16 appearances in both competitions this season.
Try scorer Brian O’Driscoll made his 149th Leinster career appearance in the 32-23 victory over Toulouse.
Fergus McFadden, meanwhile, earned his 49th senior provincial cap when replacing Luke Fitzgerald during the second half. Fitzgerald, who came back on following treatment, sustained an injury to his nose which will not rule him out of contention for selection this week.
There will be a specially-themed ‘Kids Takeover’ day on Friday night with the emphasis on younger supporters getting the chance to take part in a series of different matchday events.
Over 16,300 tickets have been sold for the clash with Glasgow – they are available to purchase here online and from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
Speaking after the win over Toulouse, head coach Joe Schmidt said: “You do need a bit of luck in this competition but I think there was more heart and soul rather than luck in that performance.
“Toulouse are the yardstick in Europe as four-times champions and they showed that.
“We didn’t make it easy for ourselves by giving them a seven-point lead. We had to work very hard to get any points on the board ourselves.
“The result is all that matters. We are in the final and can book the flights to Cardiff.
“In a sense, it was one of those days when you think maybe we could have done a little better. But we’re through, that’s the thing.
“We have now beaten three of the best teams in France in Clermont Auvergne, Racing Metro and Toulouse and two top English sides in Saracens and Leicester. Now there is a massive desire to go one step further.
“The over-riding sentiment in the dressing room wasn’t one of celebration because we haven’t won anything yet. But it was massively important to win this one. I am just really happy to be going to Cardiff.”
Tickets are on sale here for the Heineken Cup final between Leinster and Northampton Saints at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, May 21. Click here for an update for Leinster Season Ticket holders.