Countering Connacht’s style of play is “easier said than done”, says Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip.
The sides meet at the RDS today (5.15pm, live on RTÉ Radio 1) for the first time since last season’s Pro12 final, where in the words of the Ireland number eight, Leinster got a “good whupping.”
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“They won the league last year because they were the best team in the league and that’s a fair reflection of how they’re playing right now,” Heaslip told RTÉ Sport.
“Connacht are playing some great rugby. We were on the receiving end of a good whooping from them in the final.
“They’re playing wide, they’re stretching teams.
"If you don’t have your systems in place you can very easily get caught out by the way they play that expansive game.”
Pat Lam’s men got off to slow start but after three successive losses have won four in a row, including impressive Champions Cup wins over Toulouse and Zebre, while Leinster have won five out of six in the league.
Heaslip, who is rested for today’s clash, says there are ways to counter their attacking style of play.
“I think teams have posed them problems when they’ve realised [how to disrupt their game plan] but it’s easier said than done,” adds the 32-year-old.
“Because they play with such width, if you do make a mistake they can punish you.
"We are in a good place and focused on Connacht. They’re going well, it’s a massive challenge against them."
