Greetings everyone, what an event today at Croke Park over in Dublin, the first Leinster game at this venue since 2009 as Northampton Saints bid to pull off surely one of the greatest results in English club rugby history against the four-time champions.
During the Six Nations after Ireland’s win over Wales I went to a GAA game between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park, standing on the The Hill for a Dubs win, and can happily confirm it’s a brilliant stadium.
The historical significance of playing at this ground has been well documented this week, with Northampton lapping up a history lesson on the importance of Croke Park to both Irish people and Irish history.
But the actual game itself has the potential to be special. Leinster have put away La Rochelle after a run of defeats in Europe, including last year’s painful loss in the final at the Aviva, and with that monkey off their back and given they are playing on home turf, you can see why they are favourites.
Yet no one is sleeping on Northampton after a superb season in the Premiership and Europe. The quarter-final against the Bulls was a bit of a damp squib but they have already seen off Irish opposition in this year’s Champions Cup, defeating Munster both at Thomond Park and in the round-of-16 at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Premiership leaders this season have added improved physicality and defence to their already impressive attack, with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith running the show with plenty of flair.
Are Leinster too strong in terms of forward power and depth on the bench? Potentially. But if a team can spring a surprise given how well they have run the ball all season, it’s Northampton.
Plenty of build-up to follow before we kick off at 5.30pm.