2 days ago
Momentum can carry Leinster past Bulls to happy ending
Leinster will have one more shot at silverware this season as they take on the Bulls in a clash of the two hemispheres in the BKT URC final this Saturday evening.
For some it won't offer enough redemption and the URC championship is hardly adequate success considering the investment and improvements that they've made in their squad to get over their Champions Cup hurdle.
Yet, losing the URC would be an even bigger disaster for this star-studded and well-resourced side.
Getting some silverware in the cabinet is vital. Otherwise a golden generation of Leinster talent would quite literally have nothing to show for it.
Winning a competition like the URC would offer a step in the right direction and would begin to counter the psychological negativity that has been circling the province.
It would at least reduce the target on their back somewhat from an external perspective, but more importantly, it would give the players and staff a positive and a much-needed success.
While Leinster are star-studded, they're dealing with some big injury battles, not least their captain and previously ever-present talisman, Caelan Doris.
Tadhg Furlong (above) is another colossal loss when it comes to the big games and others will have to make big moments happen for Leo Cullen's men.
The Bulls travel to Dublin with a good record against Leinster.
They're also competing in their third final in four years after losing out last year to Glasgow and to the Stormers in the inaugural URC season.
They will be hoping to take advantage of Furlong's likely absence with the strength in their scrum.
If they hit the right note from the outset, they could make it a very long and difficult evening for the hosts' setpiece.
The Bulls have their own injury concerns, Cameron Hanekom has been a hugely physical asset in their attack and will miss the game.
Their physicality is one of their typical South African attributes, but they will have to learn to temper it to stay within the confines of the laws as they endured three yellow-card periods against the Sharks last week.
Discipline of that nature won't cut it against Leinster, who would open them up if they concede a numerical advantage at any stage of the game.
The beauty of the Bulls is that they don't solely rely on their physicality.
As soon as the game breaks up, Johan Goosen and Willie le Roux can expose Leinster-like defences with their kicking game.
Le Roux has caused many upsets with his crossfield kick passes.
Even Sebastian de Klerk kicked a crossfield kick to the opposite wing to send Canan Moodie in for a score against the Sharks last week.
He capitalised on a weak Jaden Hendrikse exit and chose to kick pass to Moodie for a lethal transition try in the first half.
That's some of what the Bulls can do, but if they're not disciplined with their play or their penalty count, then they'll give Leinster too much control in Dublin.
Despite being dominated by Leinster last week, Glasgow exposed the potential opportunities in the Leinster defence.
George Horne scored a great try through his support play after a deep attack got to the edge of Leinster's defence and their hard close on the edge meant that the kick in behind can often unlock that type of defence.
However, it's one thing previewing Leinster and pointing out the potential frailties. It's another thing altogether to execute when Cullen's side control so many aspects of the game too.
Jordie Barrett (above) will be playing his last game for the province. He's been in unstoppable form since his arrival and there's no doubt he'd like to sign off with a winning feeling.
The Kiwi's physicality and handling in the middle of the pitch has often provided the spark and difference for Leinster.
Tommy O'Brien is probably their next in line when you're naming in-form players.
His speed and contact skills mean that he's never too far from the last pass when Leinster are scoring tries lately.
The winger, who will tour with Ireland this summer, is playing with a hunger that Leinster are benefitting from too, chasing kicks with tackle and ruck pressure that is leading to turnovers.
There might even be room for subjective bias as Ross Byrne potentially lines out for his final game in the blue of Leinster.
With the physicality of the Bulls, there might not be space for Byrne in a 5:3 split on the bench.
It'll be interesting to see how selection goes for him on Thursday considering the amount he's given to the province.
Croke Park will be the venue once again.
Their latest attendances have been hugely underwhelming, which would make you question the need for a stadium of that capacity.
However, the lure of competition success may add some allure to this fixture.
One thing is for sure, if Leinster can build on last week's performance they'll be back to their rip-roaring best and should see off the Bulls to win their first silverware since this iteration of the competition has begun.
