Leinster’s Rhys Ruddock has called on the fans to make an impact on Saturday night, as his side look to make amends or last weekend’s Champions Cup defeat to Harlequins.
The Blues looked flat in the 24-18 defeat, but the Irish International says that they’ll have no problem raising their game within front of the Aviva Stadium crowd this weekend.
“Personally I think it plays massively into our favour. Playing in the Aviva always makes it that bit more special”, he says.
“A home game for us is always a massive lift, but playing in the Aviva will definitely be motivation for us and i think if the fans get behind us then hopefully we can give them something to cheer about as well.”
Ruddock points the finger at his side’s indiscipline, rather than defensive errors that cost Leinster the game last Sunday, saying that cheap penalties let Harlequins get an easy foothold in the game.
“Defensively I think we felt quite good for the majority of the game. We just let ourselves down with penalties and letting them into the gane that way.
“I don’t think it’s so much a defensive thing, just being a bit smart and not giving away as many penalties, and getting more of a foothold in the set piece in order to be able to play off quality ball.
Writing those wrongs, he says, is imperative.
“Like I say if we don’t put pressure on ourselves, if we don’t give away penalties we’ll be in a better spot. The overriding feeling was frustration and disappointment that we didn’t do what we set out to.
“I think we all need to lift our game, myself included, come out all guns blazing and show what it means to play at home.
“A lot of us feel like we could have played a game the next day, because you don’t feel tired when you’re hurting, you just want to get back out there are right a couple of wrongs.
“If we can get good quality set-piece to launch off, if we can get over the gainline a bit better, then it all has a knock on effect,” he said.
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