THREE LIONS, the best number sixes in Europe right now, Shane Jennings and Denis Leamy, make up the respective backrows on Saturday evening. It promises to be an almighty collision.
Jennings would be an established international by now if not for the presence of David Wallace; Leamy, while hampered by injury, has seen Jamie Heaslip take over as the Test and potentially Lions number eight, while Alan Quinlan and Rocky Elsom are simply awesome at the moment.
Something has to give.
Connacht tearaway Johnny O’Connor is best placed to run the rule over Croke Park’s battle of the breakdown. O’Connor makes an interesting point about this head-to-head: it’s not who can make the greatest impact; it’s who can make the least mistakes.
“One error could well decide this match. It becomes a battle to retain your concentration. You can’t switch off for a second and you are waiting for someone to make that error. It’s about holding your head.
“If a guy is overly aggressive and trying to engage others in fights it is a good sign that he is frustrated. I’m sure there will be a few incidents – they will probably be unavoidable but real aggression is best shown in the tackle area or hitting a ruck.” Quinlan’s form has been rubber-stamped by the Lions management. After being overlooked for the Irish 22 in the Six Nations, he outshone everyone in the recent Leinster match at Thomond Park, carrying his disruptive qualities into the dismantling of the Ospreys and maintaining that in-your-face approach against the Scarlets last weekend.
Long seen as a potential liability, O’Connor hotly contests such an assertion. “Quinny has this reputation for being a dirty player but I would dispute that. It has been a very long time since he has been sinbinned never mind sent off. I think he has been operating within the laws for a long time now. He is a nuisance, but sure that’s what he is there for, but his discipline has been very good. He knows how to play within the rules.”
Like all good flankers, Quinlan quickly gauges a referee’s mood. “You have to do your preparation work on the referee (Nigel Owens) and make sure not to double up on any early mistakes,” adds O’Connor.
Munster have always sought out the opposing bully, the go-to man in a rival pack. The list is long but Sébastien Chabal’s treatment in Limerick a few seasons back is the best example. They kicked to him and then buried him.
“Rocky Elsom quickly became Leinster’s go-to guy. I can see the Munster lads targeting him much like they did Chabal.”
Heaslip and Leamy’s influence will also be crucial on the ground but observe the breaks in play on Saturday, when the Leinster huddle are gasping for air, awaiting the next play, and Shane Jennings will be calling the shots. He faces the resident Irish openside wing forward on Saturday.
“David Wallace is rightly at the top of the list at the moment,” said O’Connor. “He is extremely strong so once he gets a grip on you it can be very difficult to shake. His work on the ground has also dramatically improved. He is so fast and a great ball-carrier.”
