Former Springbok propHeinke van der Merwe is convinced the Lions can challenge Leinster when the two sides clash in next Saturday’s URC quarter-final in Dublin.
Van der Merwe is in the unique position of having represented both clubs, playing for the Lions between 2005 and 2010 before joining Leinster and helping them to successive Champions Cup trophies in 2011 and 2012.
The Irish giants have long ranked among Europe’s elite clubs and underlined that status earlier this month with a commanding 31-7 victory over the Lions in Dublin.
However, that match was much more competitive than the scoreline suggests until the last 10 minutes when Leinster ran in three late tries, and Van der Merwe insists the Lions can not be ruled out in next week’s rematch.
“It certainly won’t be easy. Leinster are a formidable side, just like the Lions are,” he told Netwerk24.
“Both teams have played good rugby throughout the season and are probably among the best attacking teams.
“I recently looked at some statistics and saw Leinster have scored 77 tries this season compared to the Lions’ 73.
“There is not a big difference between the teams. The Lions have made 199 linebreaks compared to Leinster’s 160.
“That shows the Lions play good running rugby and are dangerous on attack.”
The Lions were one of the URC’s most dangerous attacking sides this season, producing numbers that rival – and in some cases even surpass – those of Leinster, although they were well contained by Jacques Nienaber’s defensive system in Dublin a few weeks ago.
With Leinster set to contest a Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Begles this Saturday, however, they might be able to take advantage of the disruption that could cause to their URC campaign.
“It’s not always easy when you play another match the week after a final,” Van der Merwe added.
“You enjoy yourself after winning the Champions Cup, but the following week is a bit disrupted. You have fewer and shorter training sessions and the question is always whether you play the same players again.
“I definitely think the Lions have a chance, and in sport anything is possible.
“It certainly won’t be easy, but ultimately it doesn’t matter where you play because the field stays the same size and it’s still rugby.”
