Between his playing career at club and Test level, and his enormously ambitious coaching crusade so far, Ronan O’Gara has seen more of the professional game than just about anyone else.
So, when he pinpoints a place where today’s hotly anticipated meeting between Leinster and his La Rochelle could be decided, it’s worth paying attention – to an extent.
In his newspaper column on Friday morning, O’Gara said Prendergast would be ‘key’ to the outcome.
La Rochelle’s Ronan O’Gara looks on prior to the French Top14 rugby union match between Castres Olympique and Stade Rochelais at The Pierre-Fabre Stadium in Castres, south-western France on April 20, 2024. Pic: Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP
He knows a bit about the demands made of an out-half in a white-hot European tie, and perhaps it’s instinct that’s tugging him in the direction of Prendergast.
But he knows enough about rugby generally to know, surely, that today’s game could be decided in places far darker than those usually occupied by a No10.
Looking to make the 21-year-old Prendergast sweat, on and off the field, is an understandable approach, but O’Gara must secretly fear the power of Leinster in the tight.
BKT United Rugby Championship, Thomond Park, Limerick 2712/2024 Munster vs Leinster
Leinster’s Sam Prendergast scores a try. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane
There was a time, not so very long ago, when Leinster’s inability to deal with the power of Saracens and La Rochelle was their fateful weakness in this competition.
Win today and that will be decisively corrected.
Then it’s just a matter of addressing their wider European neuroses, which as a result of falling short again and again in an assortment of agonising ways, now relate to more than pack problems.
Beating La Rochelle will not see them declared fit to drive on and claim that longed-for fifth European Cup, not with Toulouse imperious and Bordeaux another enormous French obstacle likely to loom before the eventual champions.
Investec Champions Cup Quarter-Final, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 13/4/2024 Leinster vs La Rochelle Stade Rochelais’ Will Skelton comes up against Tadhg Furlong of Leinster. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Nonetheless, a triumph in Stade Marcel Deflandre would come with significant benefits.
It would go a long way towards assuring them of extended home advantage in the knock-out stages, but it would also provide just the sort of evidence of progress needed after last season’s latest final heartbreak.
Everyone knows Leinster are one of the best teams in the competition, but they have needed to change. And thus far, discussion of how they’ve adapted has focused on the growing influence of Jacques Nienaber.
In defence, they have become much meaner, exemplified by the fierce tackling of Garry Ringrose, who has been rattling dentures across both the URC and the Champions Cup this term.
Hugo Keenan celebrates scoring a try with Jamison Gibson-Park and Garry Ringrose
Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Their beefed-up power will be as important if they are to win here and later in the year, too, and there is ample evidence of that in a team selection that qualifies as a flex.
Tadhg Furlong’s first appearance since October was the eye-catching detail when the teams were first announced, but that was until the glittering assortment held in reserve was noted. The return of Furlong is an obvious boost, but it is his established prop partner that could have a bigger impact again.
A reprise of the move that saw Andrew Porter come on after 20 minutes against Munster looks a strong possibility as Cian Healy is picked to start at loosehead on this occasion. The tactic of giving Porter an hour but in a way that keeps him on for all of the second half could be inspired, even if Healy faces a busy first half opposite Uini Antonio.
Porter is just one third of a potent replacement front row whose appearance, along with that of RG Snyman, Jack Conan and Ciaran Frawley in the second half, could, and should be decisive.
Frawley was a late call up to the bench after injury to Tommy O’Brien saw a reshuffle in the backline, with Jamie Osborne switching to the wing and Jordie Barrett starting at 15.
Being able to start the All Black instead of keeping him in reserve hardly weakens the side but this still looks sure to be a tough, tight encounter. The benches could provide the game-breakers, and Leinster have more of them in reserve.
La Rochelle don’t look the team of old, and defeat here will not only bring more scrutiny of their aging resources, but also of the need for O’Gara to start building a new side on the Atlantic.
Victory for Leinster would, conversely, vindicate the sizeable investment in squad improvements, but also in a definite coaching decision to move away from attacking brio towards more a more obdurate style.
And they look plenty good enough to find that way here – most probably through their power-packed forwards.
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