If the warning sent out by Leinster’s 76-14 shellacking of Glasgow Warriors in this past weekend’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal wasn’t bad enough, the Irish powerhouse team are set to be even stronger for Friday night’s semifinal against the Vodacom Bulls.
Irish internationals Tadhg Furlong, Johnny Sexton and James Lowe are set to be included in the team to take on the Bulls at the RDS Arena on Friday night.
Furlong came off during the quarter-final win over Glasgow on Saturday with a back injury, while Sexton (ankle) and Lowe (shin) both sat out the game.
It is expected that all three will be ready and Leinster will be virtually at full strength for the match that sees them being heavy favourites to head towards the final.
“Tadhg, his back was at him a little bit but I don’t think it’s anything major,” coach Leo Cullen told media after their win over Glasgow.
“In terms of the guys that didn’t feature, we’ll see how those guys are, the four being Rónan, Hugo, Johnny and James. Nothing too major from today, not on first inspection anyway.”
Ronan Kelleher is the only player not available for the weekend.
Cullen also waxed lyrical about the Bulls, who arrived in Dublin as massive underdogs and praised them as being a “good side”.
“It’s good that we have another week in the season. It’s just trying to enjoy the time together and if we can do that for another week, great,” Cullen said.
“If we can do it for another, even better, because the Bulls are a good side.
“When I think back to watching them when I was younger – with Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield – and that type of real power rugby that they play, that’s the great thing about their addition to the URC. So we get to see ourselves playing against them in a knock-out game, which will be a great challenge.”
But the spectre of a full house and a full strength Leinster side facing the Bulls is a tough one – especially as they are a virtual Irish test side that will gather on Friday night to continue a successful run and will be expected to win.
The odds are against the Bulls in every way, but they will know that they have a chance if they play Leinster the right way.
And no matter who is on the pitch, it will be about winning the moments that matter that counts.