Fear factor not an issue for Cheika

Leinster coach Michael Cheika insists his side will travel to Toulouse on Saturday 100 per cent confident of turning over the…

Leinster coach Michael Cheika insists his side will travel to Toulouse on Saturday 100 per cent confident of turning over the European champions in their own back yard.

While the Australian is under no illusions as to the enormity of the task Leinster face in Saturday's quarter-final in Le Stadium Municipal, Cheika remains convinced he has the personnel capable of pulling off a massive upset.

Speaking at today's squad announcement, where it was confirmed that he will have a full squad to choose from when he names the starting XV on Friday, Cheika paid tribute to Guy Noves side but warned the three-time winners they would be in for a stern test.

"Toulouse are a good team," he said. "You don't become a good team overnight. You've got to be doing it regularly. We respect our opposition but we also understand that we're a difficult team to handle.

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"We have a clear knowledge of how we want to play the game. The players are confident and everyone has bought into the one programme."

With both backlines among the strongest in Europe, many feel that Toulouse will have the edge up front where the Leinster pack, a potential weak link, will be unable to cope with relentless French pressure.

Cheika, however, was quick to dismiss such a notion.

"It's very important that we get it right (up front)," he added. "We need to dominate them all over the park. Our pack is aware of the perception that exists with some pundits about them and we want to prove those people wrong."

Over 5,000 Leinster fans are expected to make the trip to southern France, more than double the number that traveled to Bath in January.

Leinster Squad

Forwards (14): Will Green, Reggie Corrigan, Ronan McCormack, Emmett Byrne, David Blaney, Brian Blaney, Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O'Kelly, Bryce Williams, Cameron Jowitt, Niall Ronan, Keith Gleeson, Jamie Heaslip, Eric Miller

Backs (11): Guy Easterby, Brian O'Riordan, Brian O'Meara, Felipe Contepomi, Girvan Dempsey, Brian O'Driscoll, Kieran Lewis, Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie, Gordon D'Arcy, Rob Kearney