‘There’s no way Lancaster goes out on a low today

There are a lot of people nervous about Leinster’s chances in the European Champions Cup final today.

A lot of jitters around the place. A lot of doubts and you can completely understand why.

The fact it is bogey team La Rochelle once again; the fact the French side look better (and bigger) than last year; the fears that South African referee Jaco Peyper will favour the robust, Bok-esque approach of the champions; the unsettling loss to Munster last weekend and, finally, the ROG factor – a Corkman who has a long record of harpooning Dubliners and their dreams.

That’s more than enough to promote the narrative that Leinster, for all their wonderful and undeniable attributes, have a tendency to choke when the real pressure is applied.

A valid contention, especially when you consider one European Cup in 11 years, and the reason why the majority of pundits are predicting an incredibly intense contest that will only be decided in the closing minutes and could go either way.

We disagree. Get ready to witness an explosion of blue affirmation this evening, crescending into a performance for the ages that will not only beat La Rochelle, it will blow them asunder.

There may be jitters surrounding the Leinster camp and in the wider Irish rugby community but the vibe from within the squad could readily be described as one of ruthless intent.

It will be tough for Munster and their supporters to hear but the reality is that last weekend’s loss to their southern rivals did not mean a whole lot.

That much was obvious once the teams were announced and Leinster sent out their understudies. If they won it and made the URC decider, fine, but winning their gazillionth league title would not count for much if they missed out on another European title the week before.

Last week, Leinster boss Leo Cullen spoke about Munster’s ‘singular focus’ but Leinster’s own myopia was even more pronounced – as their team selection proved.

Today will be the culmination of years of frustration, of not achieving the glories their talent and meticulous preparations merited and of not receiving the wider respect they unquestionably deserve.

The pot-shots at Leinster this season have stung. There were consistent accusations of unfair advantage, financial and situational, which positioned Leinster alongside the likes of Manchester City and PSG in football and rugby’s big-spending serial winners Toulon and Saracens.

These attacks were simplistic, disrespectful and way off the mark.

Those clubs used their financial clout to hoover up the finest talents available whereas Leinster created their own roster from within – a massive point of difference that trumps all snide swipes.

They have every reason to be p****d off today and that is a powerful motivator – as is the knowledge that this is the last Leinster hurrah for Stuart Lancaster, the co-inspirator with Cullen behind a remarkable period for the province.

There is no way Lancaster goes out on a low.

No chance. Neither he, nor the players, would allow it.

They know what’s coming from La Rochelle today, they have spent a year preparing for it, and they will know how to counter it and then rip it apart. The bully-boy tactics that have caught Leinster out in the past are hardly a surprise at this stage and have been successfully countered by Leinster and Ireland (predominantly Leinster players) this season.

La Rochelle are an elite outfit with a quality coach in Ronan O’Gara and he will have a plan but, if Leinster get it together as they should this evening, it won’t matter.

When overviewing today’s Lancaster send-off, there is a quote from The West Wing (regarding President Bartlett’s chances in the key election debate) that comes to mind.

‘It depends who shows up,’ says press secretary CJ Cregg.

‘If Uncle Fluffy shows up, we have got problems. If the President shows up for this one, his last debate in his final campaign, then it could be a sight to see, I mean a sight to see’ – Leinster have a record of soaring through seasons imperiously before fluffing their lines when it matters.

Today feels like the day they show up.

This is going to be a sight to see.