Two weeks after winning the European Champions Cup, Leinster have the opportunity to complete a green sweep. Victory over the Scarlets in the Pro14 final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday would deliver a triple crown after Ireland’s Six Nations grand slam.
Leinster defeated the Scarlets even more comprehensively than the 38-16 scoreline suggested when the two sides met in the Champions Cup semi-final last month, dominating possession and territory after denying the Welsh region turnover possession to exploit.
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The Scarlets, though, are the reigning Pro14 champions and defeated Leinster at the RDS Arena in last year’s semi-final before overwhelming Munster in the final at the Aviva. They won their semi-final last week in Glasgow comfortably, moreover, even if a number of players had a few nights of discomfort after suffering friction burns on the artificial pitch, and have kept reminding themselves of the manner of the Champions Cup semi-final defeat.
“We were bitterly disappointed with the way that day went,” says the wing Tom Prydie, who a few hours after the match will fly from Dublin to the US to join up with the Wales squad after his first call-up for five years. “We did not fire many shots: they were physical and beat us up. Ever since, we have focused on putting right what we did wrong then.”
Leinster won the battle of the breakdown, supporting the ball-carrier to ensure players such as Tadhg Beirne, the former Leinster player who is appearing for the Scarlets for the last time before moving to Munster next season, John Barclay, who is out of action for at least six months with an achilles tendon injury suffered at Glasgow in what was his final game for the region, and James Davies were unable to pilfer possession.
“We have to be more physical at the breakdown,” Prydie adds. “We were unable to get over the ball and we have looked at stopping them making gains with every carry. You cannot only jackal effectively if you knock them back in the tackle and we also have to be smart when we have possession. There were times against Glasgow when we did not respect the ball enough and gave them opportunities.”
It is not only the Scarlets who are thirsting for revenge. Leinster may have hurled them out of the Champions Cup, but they have not forgotten the play-off defeat last year when they were kept at arm’s length despite enjoying a man advantage after Steff Evans was sent off for a dangerous tackle at the end of the first half.
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“What happened last month will be fuel in the fire for them, but we owe them one in this competition,” says Jack McGrath, the Leinster and Ireland prop. “It will be the fourth time we have played them this season and we know each other very well. We cannot stick to the blueprint we used in the Champions Cup because they will be prepared for that. Changing not too much but just enough is they key for us. It is a special time in Leinster and we want to give the guys who are going away something to take with them.”
Leinster have yet to achieve a European Cup and league double, although they did win the Challenge Cup and then the Pro12 in 2013. After conquering Europe in 2011 and the following year, they lost play-off finals to Munster and Ospreys respectively.
“We know what we are up against and what it will take to win, but we are the champions and we want the trophy again,” Prydie said. “The stadium will be mostly made up of Irish supporters, but there will be a sizeable contingent shouting for us. Our supporters have been magnificent all season and we want to show our gratitude to them. We are playing away, but we are comfortable with that.”