Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said that his side need to be wary of the Scarlets ruck if they are to repeat their dominant Champions Cup semi-final win over the reigning PRO12 champions.
Leinster were beaten by the Scarlets in last year’s semi-final at the RDS but made amends earlier this season when they routed Wayne Pivac’s side at the Aviva Stadium in the Champions Cup semi-final.
Leinster had 59% possession that day and did a brilliant job of protecting their own ball, a feat which Cullen thinks his side will have to repeat if they are to once again prevail over the Scarlets.
“The Scarlets obviously turned us over here in the semi-final,” said Cullen after his side’s PRO14 semi-final win over Munster on Saturday.
“Watching their game last night was like an action replay of that game. Three quick tries in the first-half, 21 points and it was us last year and Glasgow this year.
“It’s almost like playing into a trap. A lot of those Scarlets guys are great around the ruck and they’re very hard to break down when they’ve got a lead.
“Even that conversion that hits the post… there was so many similarities it was incredible.
“Both teams know each other well having played three times over the course of the season. The big thing is that both teams are banged up I would imagine so it’s just sure whatever team is fresh going into the day and who can hold their nerve.”
Cullen said that the Scarlets will have a slight advantage given that they will have an extra day of preparation and that Leinster’s main focus is now on recovery with several players nursing their way back from injury.
“It wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination but we’re delighted to get a win and we’re delighted to have another game to look forward to.
“Scarlets have a slight edge on us this time, one day extra preparation, but for us now it’s about trying to recover well and try to get over what was an unbelievably physical win.”
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