Focussed: Cian Healy
Defending champions Leinster face the daunting task of travelling to Clermont for Sunday's first of two Heineken Cup encounters between the duo.
The Irish province and French giants are both unbeaten in Pool Five, but Clermont have a two-point advantage thanks to two crucial bonus-points garnered from games against the Scarlets and Exeter.
It must also be remembered that Clermont are unbeaten at their Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin venue in more than three years, a record which they will defend with great pride.
The matches throw up the chance for Leinster's Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt to return to Clermont - where he worked under compatriot Vern Cotter before relocating to Ireland - and he is now being touted as a likely candidate for the coaching team for the British and Irish Lions to Australia next June.
"Qualifing from the pool will depend on this double header," said Cotter.
"They, as we have done, have long marked this date in the calendar.
"My players are very excited, focused and motivated by the idea of playing this match."
Cotter said Leinster, who beat Clermont 19-15 in last season's semi-final, were not a team to be underestimated.
"They're a team which controls the ball well and plays with a lot of speed," he added.
"They're used to big matches and this competition.
"With a two-point deficit on us, they know that they don't have any other solution than to go away with a result here.
"I know Joe well and I'm sure he'll try to move the ball around. We'll have to be ready to adapt by remaining focused and accurate."
Leinster prop Cian Healy knows that beating Clermont in their own backyard will not be easy but he believes they can achieve that goal.
"We're pretty focussed on Clermont and what we have to do there," he said.
"It's a big two games and what we have to bring to that away game is going to be a big ask.
"We expect the exact same again. Their physicality is a big thing they bring and their defence is hard."
Comments
KubilaKhan says...
Last time these two played I got so nervous I bit the end off a bottle of beer, this time it's cans only. Going to be a war and I cannot wait to see it, Lets Go Leinster!!!!
Posted 17:25 06th December 2012
blue_n_green says...
Well said leinster goy . Should be a cracking game.
Posted 14:20 06th December 2012
curates_egg says...
Very excited to visit the Michelin. Not expecting to leave with more than a losing bonus but should be a great experience.
Posted 10:49 06th December 2012
leinster_goy says...
a lot of people on this website and other fora are already touting clermont as favourites for the Heino this year. i don't deny that they are an awesome side on their day and i've great respect for the club and their fans. but for all their quality and resources, time and again they have bottled it on the big stage
they especially seem to lack the mentality to win tight games against the best european opposition. its difficult to forget in the semi last year that once Leinster pulled their fingers out, clermont were utterly clueless in that 2nd half (for 35 mins at least). even when wayne barnes helped them get back down the pitch at the very end, they couldn't do the job, despite having multiple opportunities to do so
i should reiterate that i have a lot of time for clermont and their fans, and they might well beat us comfortably on sunday...but until they break their european duck, i will always think of them as "Butterfingers Fofana, Choke James and the Auvergne Bottlers"
Posted 10:44 06th December 2012