Kiss not underestimating Leinster

Editor

Although Ulster head into Friday's semi-final clash with Leinster at the RDS in fine form, their head coach Les Kiss is not underestimating their opponents.

Ulster have won their last four matches which includes a 30-6 triumph over Leinster on April 30. But despite that result, Kiss expects to face a stronger Leinster outfit in their play-off.

"It was a good win, without a doubt," he told the Irish Times.

"But I’ve got to say that Leinster were probably a little bit underdone. They had some guys that hadn’t played a lot of footy.

"I think they’ll be in a far better place,” added Kiss, "and I know what they’ve got up on the wall. Leinster think that Ulster think that Leinster’s predictable. 

"We don’t think that. We just know that on that day they weren’t the type of team they are. They’ll be building an attitude and a mindset around that.

"We’re likely to expect a lot more of the tactical kicking game. They will not be the same team we played here, and I don’t just mean the personnel. I mean the type of game they’ll play.

"I’m wary," admitted Kiss. 

"They are a very good attacking team. We know what Ben Te’o gives them in terms of momentum. We managed to control Garry Ringrose last time, but he’s fleet of foot, and if you give him space he can really hurt you. 

"I do expect an aerial battle. I think they’ll put the ball in the air with some tricky kicks. 

"Without a doubt, the set- piece battle will be important. I wouldn’t say it’s an area that I’m worried about, but it’ll be key, at times. If it’s not quite right, we like to think we can play away from it pretty well.

"We built a little bit of momentum and it’s made it easier because we’re not trying to fix a lot of things. We want to manage things and improve things, and hopefully we can negate what they do well."