It's the Thursday of Champions Cup final week, and the build-up to European club rugby's showpiece event has begun in earnest, with Stephen Ferris giving his preview of Leinster vs La Rochelle.
Leinster are hurting bad after Saturday's URC semi-final loss to Munster, a defeat which was partly blamed on Leo Cullen's largely second/third string selection.
While the team that was picked did back fire that day given that there was a much stronger team available, Ferris reckons that it may have even further consequences for Leinster.
True, resting front liners means that there are no major injury concerns and that most of the main men will be fresh for this coming Saturday.
However, according to Ferris, this may leave the side undercooked to face the reigning European champions.
And I was listening to Graham Rowntree's post match interview after the Munster game when he was talking about his team being battle hardened, being fit, played six consecutive away fixtures, always on the road.
They're living and breathing it, and you sometimes wonder is actually resting a lot of these guys....and it's not just one week here, like I know Porter played, but Furlong has been rested a couple of weeks. Some of the other guys have been rested for longer.
James Lowe might come straight back in with his injury.
Build-up To Leinster vs La Rochelle Has Begun
28 May 2022; La Rochelle players, including Will Skelton, celebrate with their head coach Ronan O'Gara, second from left, after the Heineken Champions Cup Final match between Leinster and La Rochelle at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
READ HERE: Watch: The Stormers Squad And Staff Went Mental Moments After Munster Beat Leinster
While La Rochelle, who had already secured a Top 14 playoff spot, did rest players against Montpellier last weekend, Leinster have been more prone to resting players throughout the season and in big league games such as the recent URC playoffs.
"You'd Baird and Jenkins in the second row, your first choice second row is Maloney and James Ryan by the looks of it", said Ferris of Leinster's selection in their URC quarter-final clash against the Sharks.
"There was no Jack Conan that started in that game or didn't start in that game. Harry Byrne starting ahead of Ross Byrne again.
"So like Ross Byrne didn't start the quarterfinal. He didn't start the semifinal, and now all of a sudden a handful of these guys are expected just to pitch up without having played for a few weeks.
"I know they'll be training well together, but we all know there's nothing like getting out there and lacing up the boots in a full bore match against battle hardened opposition."
SEE ALSO: O'Gara Makes It Clear That There Should Be More Focus On Leinster Stopping La Rochelle
