Scars of humiliation 12 months ago linger for Leinster ahead of URC opener

Leinster were rocked by their season opening game last term, a 35-0 thrashing at Stormers.

This may have played out far from the madding crowd in Cape Town but Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber were left watching in horror as a manageable 6-0 half-time deficit spiralled out of control in the second-half.

Not least as Leinster had fielded and all-international backline Jimmy and Tommy O'Brien, Henshaw, Frawley, Larmour, Prendergast and McGrath.

And while the forwards had significantly less test stars there was better expected from Boyle (subbed by Paddy McCarthy), Gus McCarthy (McKee), Slimani (Sparrow), Mangan, Deeny (Deegan), Baird, Penny and Culhane (Connors).

There was an improved performance the following week, albeit a 39-21 loss to Bulls in Pretoria, featuring two backline changes with Thomas Clarkson, Deegan and Connors among the five changes to the pack.

Hooker Gus McCarthy, first capped by Ireland in November 2024 was one of those to retain his place and he admits that opening game had been a chastening experience.

And one, some nine months later, Cullen and Nienaber hadn't forgotten as they instituted adjustments to this season's September/October preparation.

This would contain more hard, physical work, aiming to make sure they didn't travel as under-cooked this time.

“Pre-season has been very good," says McCarthy, "we’ve had a nice, extended pre-season for most of us.

"I think the workload and intensity has stepped up a bit this pre-season.

"We’ve worked very hard and hopefully now the work we’ve put in can pay off into the season, but only time will tell."

At the same time, and as the season unfolded, there was an acknowledgement as to just how good the Lions could be on their own patch.

"I think they lost once at home last year in the whole URC. Obviously they’re a very exciting team, they like to play a lot of rugby, good, enjoyable rugby too.

"The altitude piece, we haven’t really put too much thought into that. I think we’re fit enough.

"That’s kind of what I was talking about with the pre-season being extra tough, it was probably catered to these first few games. Hopefully that should stand to us and we’ll be grand hopefully. It is going to be a good test for us."

This should also make for a good start for McCarthy himself, a player who will be looking to challenge Dan Sheehan and Rónan Kelleher at both provincial and international level, in the lead in to a Rugby World Cup.

“100 percent, it’s not something I’ve been overly thinking about, but the World Cup is in the back of my mind as I’m sure it is with the majority of players.

"Any chance I get to play for Leinster, you want to take it with open arms. There’s a lot of us hookers, it’s competitive.

"That would be the pinnacle obviously, playing at a World Cup, but that isn’t something I think about. Obviously it is something I would absolutely love to do, but it’s just trying to take it game by game.

"That’s kind of the plan, to play as much as I can and try to prove myself. If possible, try to knock on as much doors as I can."

The idea this is Leo Cullen’s final season as Head Coach is also in the mix.

“Definitely, it’s an extra motivator. Leo has been such a servant to Leinster Rugby.

"All my memories of Leinster as a club growing up, Leo has been coaching since I was earlier than 10. I don’t know if that’s wrong, it’s a long time anyway!

"He’s all I remember. He was a great player for Leinster. We're all 100 percent committed to go out on a high note for Leo if possible.

"It’s sport so you can’t guarantee anything, but just 100 percent committed among the other coaches and players to have him go out on a high note if possible."

There is a point to prove this fortnight following that tough start in South Africa last season.

“The way we started the season last year, that loss away to Stormers was very, very disappointing

"It’s something we’ve reflected on and we’re looking to put that to bed, a big two games for us now. Hopefully we can prove a point and improve our performances.”