Preview: Euro Cup, Toulon v Leinster

 

The French side are seeking to be crowned kings of European club rugby for an unprecedented third-straight season having won the last two finals in Dublin and Cardiff. 

 

Leinster are chasing a fourth title, which would move them level with Toulouse as the most successful side in the history of continental club competition.

 

But O'Connor knows his squad need to improve on their recent form in the Pro12, in which they are without a win in their last-four fixtures.

 

"The fact is we have got to go there and perform very close to our potential to beat Toulon. The lads understand that," said O'Connor.

 

"It is a huge challenge for us, they have world class blokes in every position. We need to come up with a plan to go there and get a result."

 

Leinster have shown themselves more than capable of overcoming the odds by winning knock-out games on the road in France, picking up a semifinal win at Clermont Auvergne in 2012 and a famous quarterfinal triumph against Toulouse in 2006.

 

But they were on the wrong end of the scoreline when they last faced Toulon at the quarterfinal stage 12 months ago, losing 15-21 at Stade Felix-Mayol.

 

"We are massively excited to be going down to play a semifinal. Everyone outside and supporters might be frustrated we are not fulfilling our potential, but it is a difficult thing to do sometimes," said fullback Rob Kearney.

 

"We do a huge amount of review work on games. We are unbelievably critical of ourselves and are pin-pointing the things we need to improve on.

 

"We are not oblivious to the fact there is still a huge amount of things we need to improve on, but we are still very excited by the opportunities available to us."

 

Toulon, meanwhile, warmed up for the last four clash with a Top 14 victory over Grenoble, although fullback Leigh Halfpenny picked up a shoulder injury which has made him a doubt for this Sunday's game.

 

But loose forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe believes the French champions are well set, saying: "Even though we were under pressure against Grenoble, we remained united and that's the most important thing.

 

"Everything was there within the side, there was real spirit and commitment and it's nice to enjoy that sort of dynamic when you are building up for an important semifinal."

 

2014: Toulon won 21-15, Stade Felix-Mayol

Prediction: It is never going to be an easy task against the reining champions, especially when it comes to Toulon in the European Cup. The French side seems to find another gear for the continental championship. Meanwhile Leinster have not been on top form themselves, struggling to beat bath in the quarterfinal and flailing in the Pro12. It will come as a shock to many if Leinster overcome the French Giants, but in saying that, it should still be a competitive game.

 

 

Toulon: Toulon: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Delon Armitage, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 8 Chris Masoe, 7 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Xavier Chiocci.

Replacements: 16 Jean-Charles Orioli, 17 Alexandre Menini, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Steffon Armitage, 20 Drew Mitchell, 21 Rudi Wulf, 22 Michael Claassens, 23 Jocelino Suta

 

 

Date: Sunday, April 19

Venue: Stade Felix-Mayol, Toulon

Kick-off: 16.15 (15.15 BST; 14.15 GMT)

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Greg Garner (England)

Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)

 

Source: @ChampionsCup