Leinster produced a convincing victory over Stade Francais at the Aviva Stadium this evening, although there was never really any doubt about what the outcome would be ahead of this Champions Cup pool stage clash.
The French visitors named a heavily weakened team for their trip to Dublin, opting to rest a number of their big hitters as they clearly felt it was unlikely they would get a result even with their full compliment of players.
This is something that has been a theme for teams visiting Leinster in recent seasons. More often than not in the pool stage or even later in the competition, many sides opt to play a second string side in anticipation of a defeat in Dublin.
This has only served to remove the anticipation around many Leinster fixtures, while some have also said it has affected the province's fortunes later in the competition when they eventually do come up against top class opposition.
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Bernard Jackman calls out Stade Francais over selection issue
There is not much the authorities can do to tackle this issue at the moment, with teams entitled to select whatever team they want for Champions Cup games. What's more, the amount of clubs that advance to the knockout rounds each season mean that many of them are more than happy to punt away one or two pool games.
Speaking on RTÉ after the game, Bernard Jackman said that something needs to be done to fix this problem moving forward.
Did Stade Francais short-change those at the Aviva this evening? Bernard Jackman seems to think so. #LEIvSTA pic.twitter.com/hzUsUaTVgm
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) January 13, 2024
The EPCR are going to have to look at this. Realistically, the current model isn't working. It's too easy to play a second choice side.
It's impossible to fine a club because they're not going to admit it's their second string. The solution is potentially, like in a World Cup, where you pick a 33 or 34 man panel quite early and the only way to bring in someone outside that is medical, a club doctor or neutral doctor has to sign off on that and you can't come back in.
There was 42,000 people here tonight, and realistically, walking into the Aviva you knew the result. If Stade Francais brought their first team, okay it was highly unlikely they were going to win, but there was a little bit of jeopardy there and a bit of doubt.
The fans are being shortchanged. Even Leinster are being shortchanged, because they want a better hit out.
Stade Francais clearly made the decision they felt was best for them, although it is one that certainly affected the spectacle on show.
Many Leinster fans may find it difficult to justify forking out for tickets for fixtures such as this one should this trend continue.
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