Kearney says revenge will be motivation

Rugby: Ireland fullback Rob Kearney admits revenge will be a motivating factor when Leinster meet Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park.

Leinster’s hard-fought 6-5 victory over Harlequins yesterday set up the All-Ireland showdown in a repeat of the 2006 last four encounter at Lansdowne Road.

They were crushed 30-6 by the eventual champions that day and are determined to step out of their domestic rivals’ shadow on the European stage.

Munster, favourites to defend their crown, swatted aside the Ospreys 43-9 yesterday and have beaten Leinster twice already this season - scoring 40 points in the process.

“Given what happened last week when we were well beaten by Munster it’s important that we make a real statement,” said Kearney.

“There’s a lot of hurt from the two games we played against them this season but we have to approach it like any other match.”

Kearney, a contender for Lions Test duty in South Africa this summer, believes Leinster can take enormous encouragement from their bruising victory at the Twickenham Stoop.

The Magners League champions defended for most of the match yet clawed their way into the semi-finals with two Felipe Contepomi penalties.

“It was exhausting and everyone was very fatigued in the changing room afterwards but those are the type of games players enjoy winning most,” he said.

“We really had to work hard for it. We’re still only in the semi-finals but as a team we took a really big step against Harlequins.”

Munster, seeking to become only the second side to successfully defend the Heineken Cup, are in ominous form as they target a hat-trick of European titles.

Croke Park will give Irish rugby another memorable occasion in the season the nation celebrated its first Grand Slam for 61 years and Leinster coach Michael Cheika is braced for another high-octane contest.

“We know that we will have to bring our performances up another level for Munster,” he said.

“Whenever you play them you always get a very tough game. It will be a hell of a challenge against the best team in Europe.”