Hugo Keenan says that Toulouse reaching five stars for Champions Cup tournament victories before Leinster is motivating his side ahead of their crunch semi-final in Dublin this weekend.
The two European rivals clash yet again on the biggest club stage as only four teams remain in the race to be crowned Champions Cup winners in 2023.
Two European giants
Leinster have been in outstanding form all season long and have only lost one game in all competitions.
Toulouse meanwhile have also found a purple patch typified by their 54-20 drumming of the Sharks in the quarter-finals.
The Irish full-back is under no illusions about the quality of the French side and said these are the kinds of games he wants to be a part of.
“They’ve talent all across their team, and international talent, and they’re up there with the best club in the world at the moment, aren’t they?” Keenan told The 42.
“They’re playing such good rugby, top of the Top 14. So, yeah, these are the weeks you want to be involved in and the games you want to be involved in.”
The two European heavyweights met at the same stage last year and Keenan knows that Toulouse will be using that as motivation for this week.
Meanwhile, in the Leinster camp, they are leaning on the fact that the French side has five Champions Cup titles for extra hunger.
“They’re in a rich vein of form so they’ll be fancying their chances and they’ll be motivated after last year,” said Keenan. “But I suppose they’re the ones with five stars (Champions Cup titles), they got there before us. That’s the way we’re looking at it, so we’re not going to be shy of motivation either.”
Dupont threat
Toulouse have many weapons at their disposal spearheaded by superstar Antoine Dupont, who is undoubtedly the leading scrum-half in the world.
His ability to kick deep from the base of the ruck with either leg is unparalleled and makes the life of a full-back, in this case, Keenan, that much more difficult.
“Yeah, he keeps you on your toes alright, and you just can’t switch off I suppose,” added the Leinsterman. “You might be a bit deeper when they’re deeper, if he’s looking to set up kicks or what not, but once he’s running you have to expect a line break, you have to be starting to connect to the front line, helping them as much as possible.
“But it’s probably not about going after these lads individually is it? You have to go in twos, threes, fours. That’s the only way to take down those talents in their team.”
The clash is made all the more exciting considering Ireland and France faced off not so long ago and many of the players from that clash will be playing this weekend.
“Yeah, absolutely. Like, we (Ireland) would have reviewed individuals throughout the week building up to France, getting to know what they are like,” said Keenan.
“There is a big correlation and crossover between the two teams and they don’t play too dissimilarly as well.
“So I think it is an advantage, but at the same time they are probably saying the same about us with Leinster.”
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