Rob Kearney: "Leinster's defence has improved immeasurably" but believes attack needs more work for Champions Cup glory
Today at 03:59 AM
The former Leinster and Ireland full-back spoke to Ruck, ahead of another weekend of nail-biting action in the Investec European Rugby Champions Cup.
Leinster travel to La Rochelle for a fixture on Sunday against Ronan O'Gara's side which will prove to be the next chapter in a blossoming rivalry. Stade Rochelais defeated the Irish side in successive European finals in 2022 and 2023, with a combined victory margin of four points over the two matches.
Leinster however return to the Stade Marcel-Deflandre hoping to reproduce their successful visit to France last season where they were victorious in a 16-9 scoreline.
Rob Kearney, who has featured in all four of Leinster's triumphant campaigns in Europe, has been impressed with his former side's defence this season, under the influence of former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.
"I think you can see Jacques' fingerprints all over their defence now and that is a real step-up in that part of their game. They look to have taken to his system pretty quickly."
However, the 95-capped Irishman highlighted that Leo Cullen's men must improve their attack as the season goes on:
"With their attack, there are elements that can be fine-tuned and ironed out… Your defence wins finals, but you've still got to score tries".
The match on Sunday afternoon, which kicks off at 15:15, is expected to be Leinster's most difficult game in the tournament yet, following victories over Bristol Bears and Clermont Auvergne.
Kearney highlighted this sentiment, claiming that in his experience France is "by far the most difficult place to play away, potentially in world rugby… It's an uncomfortable place to play and it's a very difficult place to go and win".
Yet, the signatures of RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett will be crucial for the men in blue to get past challenges like this, and those they might face later in the season:
"The addition of Snyman and Jordie Barrett are huge not just for in the season but when you get to the last 10/15 minutes of that semi-final and final and you need a little more firepower, you've got them in your squad now".
Another intriguing rivalry set to be renewed is that between O'Gara and Leinster. The Munster legend had several iconic moments against this opposition in his playing days, and has masterminded La Rochelle's recent European victories against the Irish side.
His former teammate Kearney is unsurprised by his coaching success: "What I admired most about ROG was his bottle… He was a great rugby player, but he is smart too."
He also cited O'Gara's emotional intelligence as a particular strength: "That's what sets great coaches apart, and I would see him as having that".
Kearney, a British and Irish Lions tourist on the 2009 and 2013 tours (to South Africa and Australia respectively), reminisced on his playing days and explained how important games like this will be in deciding selection for the tour to Australia this Summer:
"It's always in the back of your mind. As soon as you hit a Lions season… You know you have to be performing that yet because what you have done in the previous three years doesn't necessarily matter".
Kearney will be part of the Premier Sports commentary team with live action of La Rochelle v Leinster this Sunday live on Premier Sports 1 from 3pm (UK & Ireland).
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