Leinster likely to flood ruck and blitz as tactic proved effective when limiting La Rochelle’s powerful forward carriers
Leinster v Toulouse : Cullen calls for bench impact with Ryan, Conan and van der Flier among the replacementsInfringements in quick succession only added to the problem. Last year, in a handful of minutes, Toulouse lost Ramos to a yellow, conceded a score off that penalty and offered Leinster another attacking platform with a needless neck roll after the restart.
Facing the bigger carriers, such as Meafou and his 145kg of ballast, Leinster either used multiple defenders to limit yardage or cut him down with chop tackles; specialist Will Connors starts on Saturday. Yet barring Dupont running in a try from a blocked kick in 2022, this transition threat was non-existent across against Leinster. Part of the issue was luck. While Toulouse forced 10 turnovers over the two games, most came via jackal penalties where the game stopped and allowed the defence to set; they did not get quick turnover ball which could be flung wide and kept alive.
The actual kicking strategy itself was accurate. Leinster frequently found grass inside the 22 over the head of the backfield cover. Dangerous runners had to turn their backs to regather possession instead of coming on to the ball with momentum. At times, Toulouse stood too high in the backfield, leaving space in behind.
Toulouse's backfield cover is a touch high, but Ngatai still doesn't have a lot of space to work with. His kick is pinpoint accurate, finding touch inside the 22.
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