Leo Cullen is confident his full-strength Leinster side will cope with playing at altitude against the Vodacom Bulls in the URC semi-final clash in Pretoria.
Cullen named a starting lineup stacked with 15 Ireland internationals for the semi-final at Loftus Versfeld, which serves as a teaser for the upcoming July Test series in SA.
In total, Cullen’s side boasts 1522 caps in their starting lineup and a further 1088 on the bench, making them the most experienced provincial team to visit Loftus Versfeld.
However, for most of Leinster’s team it will be a first experience in front of fans at Loftus, owing to the club resting their stars for South African tours to target the Champions Cup.
“I think they will be okay. I think it’s more of an issue when it’s hot as well,” Cullen said.
“So, it’s a 4pm kick-off, watching where the sun is, three quarters of the pitch is in shade, and the temperature has dropped pretty drastically.
“Certainly by half time, it will be 10 or 12 degrees, so it’s not particularly warm. It’s warm during the day.
“Maybe if you were playing at midday it might be a bit more of an issue because the sun is the big factor but we will see. I can’t see it being a major issue.
“We’re making sure we just try and embrace the challenge, what it is,” Cullen added. “Now as we get closer to the game mentally you hope you are in a good place.
“Lots of our guys have played in big games over the years and making sure they go out and, as I say give a good account of themselves.
“We have had great support all year and we’d love to have another crack at a game next week, a final wherever that would be.”
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Eight-time URC champions Leinster are looking to end the season on a high, after the disappointment of a Champions Cup final defeat in extra-time against Toulouse.
“It’s our sixth knock-out game [this season],” Cullen said. “Like that’s an unbelievable challenge, isn’t it?
“Six knock-out games is an unusual dynamic to be able to do that and not many teams have played six knock-out games at this stage of the season, and that’s the challenge.
“You’ve got to do it the hard way, you’ve got to manage the group etc, it takes a squad effort and a huge effort from the backroom team.
“But I think we’ve got a strong 23 players fit and available and ready to go and hopefully you’ll see them all give a good account of themselves.
“I think there’s always a test of character, every time you go out and play and that’s the beauty of the game of rugby, because it is a proper test of character.
“For our guys, they’ve been through so much since I’ve been involved in coaching here, so many different challenges, the group, how it’s evolved.
“The Bulls will have their plan in place, they’ve a huge amount of strengths in their game, that’s why they have a home semi-final in the first place. So it’s a beautiful challenge.”
Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile/Gallo Images
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Leo Cullen is confident his full-strength Leinster side will cope with playing at altitude against the @Vodacom Bulls in the #URC semi-final clash in Pretoria.
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