TIGER ROLL
Leinster coach Andrew Goodman issues warning to side ahead of Champions Cup clash against Leicester
ANDREW GOODMAN has insisted Leinster will need to be at their best to beat Leicester Tigers on Saturday, despite winning the three recent meetings between the sides.
The teams faced off on January 20 at Welford Road in the pool stages of the Champions Cup.
And the province will renew acquaintances with their Premiership counterparts in a last-16 bout at the Aviva.
Leinster also defeated the Tigers at the quarter-final stage of the competition in the past two seasons, including a 55-24 triumph in Dublin last year.
Yet even though the quarter-finals are next week, assistant coach Goodman acknowledged it would be dangerous to look beyond this weekend’s fixture.
He said: “We know we have to be at our best to win these games. We’re not looking ahead of this game, because we know this is knockout football now. We’ve got to be at our best come Saturday.
“We’ve got massive respect for Leicester and the way they play. They’ve a clear DNA, they’re so clear around how they play and attack the game.
“So Monday, Tuesday are really important days to set up a great performance.”
Ahead of Saturday’s showdown, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen could have a number of selection dilemmas.
Along with Jimmy O’Brien, Luke McGrath and Charlie Ngatai, Six Nations stars Robbie Henshaw, Ciarán Frawley, Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose and Andrew Porter will have injuries assessed this week.
BLUE BROS
Meanwhile, the Byrne brothers — Harry and Ross — are in line to feature, though it remains to be seen who will get the nod to start at out-half.
Thanks in part to his elder sibling suffering with an arm injury.
Harry Byrne has started eight games in the 10 jersey for Leinster this season and also made two appearances for Ireland in their Six Nations campaign.
Having found his development hampered by injuries of his own, Goodman believes the younger Byrne has grown in confidence recently.
The Kiwi, who joined as coach in 2022, added: “He had a pretty torrid couple of years, the year before I came and then last year.
“He has had a couple of little injuries but a lot more consistency in terms of being on the training field running the team. Then opportunities to start big games.
“All that experience he builds up there will help us going forward as well.”