Leinster cruise through to URC final against Bulls but their jaded fans are not convinced

IOL News

4 hours ago

Despite being labelled the 'best in Europe' for years, the Irish giants have not lifted a major trophy since 2018. The semi-final victory did break one curse — they had lost their last three URC semi-finals, including a defeat to the Bulls — but the spectre of failure still looms large, particularly in the Champions Cup, where they've been runners-up too many times for their supporters to count.
The men in blue were emphatic in ending the reign of defending champions Glasgow on Saturday, running in six tries in a 37–19 semi-final win. But for Leinster fans, reaching finals no longer means much — not after a string of near-misses and heartbreaks.
The 'chokers' tag still pinned to the Leinster mast could well be the Bulls' biggest ally in Saturday's United Rugby Championship final in Dublin.
More recently, Leinster were stunned at home by the Northampton Saints in a Champions Cup semi-final, prompting critics to argue the team was past its sell-by date and that some veterans needed to be moved on.
Tellingly, before the Glasgow match, several Irish television pundits tipped the Warriors to win — a clear sign of how far confidence in Leinster had slipped.
But a fired-up Leinster outfit came bursting out of the blocks. Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan crossed early, and centre Jamie Osborne added a brace of tries as the hosts raced ahead. By half-time, the match was effectively over as a contest.
Leinster added two more tries after the break, with Glasgow salvaging respectability through two late consolation scores.
The Bulls' analysts will no doubt take note of scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park's masterclass — the New Zealand-born No 9 dictated tempo and peppered Glasgow with astute kicks that regularly caused fumbles.
However, they'll also have seen defensive frailties in Leinster flyhalf Sam Prendergast, who was exposed more than once. This ongoing issue is widely believed to have cost him a place in the British and Irish Lions squad set to tour Australia.
That gives the Bulls a clear tactical opportunity: pressurise the brilliant Gibson-Park, and target Prendergast when attacking.
The Bulls' back three, meanwhile, can expect another aerial assault on Saturday at Croke Park. Gibson-Park will almost certainly employ the same high-pressure kicking game that undid the Warriors.
Still, for all Leinster's brilliance, few fans will believe they've finally broken their finals curse until they see captain and No 8 Jack Conan lifting the URC trophy.
There is, however, a sense that the team has been sobered by past failures. The complacency that once cost them dearly appears to have been replaced by urgency and humility.
That new mindset was perfectly captured in the post-match comments of Player of the Match Ryan Baird, the blindside flanker.
'We needed to turn up today — no excuses,' he said. 'We couldn't take it for granted. I was telling myself beforehand, I don't have a decision today — I have to turn up.
'We want to win this tournament, and that means you've got to show up. If you don't, you lose and you're out. It's as simple as that.'