Leinster head coach Leo Cullen claims the focus from his side is going to be on managing the six-day turnaround for their quarter-final against Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup.
Cullen’s side advanced to the next round after defeating rivals Ulster 30-15 on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.
It was a brilliant performance by the side that was loaded with international stars fresh off their Grand Slam success in the Six Nations.
Tigers challenge
The Dublin men beat the Tigers in the quarter-finals last season, but Cullen insists that things are different this time around.
“We played against Leicester last season, they’ve a couple of changes in personnel. Obviously, George Ford is gone, Handre Pollard is there, so they’ve a tonne of experience in their team,” Cullen said.
“It’s going to be a great test, isn’t it? A really good test but, again, it’s the occasion. The dynamic of the tournament is very unusual but the occasions are still pretty special.
“Hopefully, it’s a slightly drier day so you can see bit more fluid running rugby from both teams. You see the way England played here a couple of weeks ago, that sort of Steve Borthwick template.”
Recovery is key
The coach thought his side did well and commended the forwards for their effort. However, all focus is on recovery for the clash against the Tigers.
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“I thought the forwards did a good job in terms of laying the platform for the team. That’s on the back of a good week’s work.
“We’re pleased to be through. Ulster put it up to us.
“Just talking to the guys in the dressing room, it’s all about recovery and trying to turn the page quickly.
“It’s a very unusual sort of dynamic, isn’t it? In the past, you’d have a couple of weeks’ lead-in into this game. Now it’s a six-day turnaround.”
Meanwhile, Ulster head coach Dan McFarland gave full credit to Leinster for an impressive win but was still proud of how his side approached the game.
“Leinster were certainly the better team today,” he said. “I was proud of the effort that our guys put in. I was proud of the way we approached the game physically.
“I think some of the bits and pieces around our discipline, potentially in the aerial and territory game, we didn’t match up to them so fair play to them – good win.”