When it comes to atoning for disappointment, Josh van der Flier is acutely aware that Saturday’s opponents Northampton have history when it comes to the back-to-back European games.
Leo Cullen’s side will be favoured to complete the double over the Premiership side at the Aviva Stadium ( 7.45pm, live on RTÉ Radio 1) after their comprehensive 37-10 victory at the Franklin’s Gardens last weekend.
The dismissal of England captain Dylan Hartley just eight minutes after his introduction dominated the headlines, but it was an impressive showing from the Irish province after losing both out-half Joey Carbery and flanker Seán O’Brien during the contest.
Leinster sit top of Pool 4 ahead of the return fixture, a point ahead of Montpellier, with Castres and the Saints looking out of contention for a place in the knock-out stages.
Despite just featuring in his second European campaign, van der Flier is cognisant of the fact that when it comes to reversing fortunes in December, Jim Mallinder’s have form.
In 2013 the Saints recovered from a 40-7 defeat at home to disappointment the majority of the 43,370 spectators at Lansdowne Road the following week in an 18-9 success.
Last season they were again humbled at home when Racing 92 dished out a 30-point defeat, before recovering the following week to record a much improved performance.
Stephen Meyler and Dan Carter shared six penalties as the English club left the Stade Yves-Du-Manoir with a 9-9 draw and the 23-year-old is wary of a wounded Saints outfit travelling to Dublin.
“I think it helps a lot that everyone would have watched the games [in 2013] when we won 40-7 and then the next week won by 12 points [18-9],” he said.
“Northampton have a history of doing that. Last year they got beaten quite badly by Racing 92 and then the next week they drew with them
“It will definitely be a very tough challenge. Everyone’s pretty switched on to that.”
Cullen has had to deal with something of an injury crisis at out-half and Ross Byrne looks set for just his fourth ever senior start on Saturday.
Carbery will see a specialist over the ankle injury sustained at the weekend, Johnny Sexton is continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury and Cathal Marsh is a few weeks away from his return to full fitness.
Byrne stepped into the breach last weekend and van der Flier, a former Leinster A team-mate of Byrne’s, has full confidence in his ability.
“Ross I thought did brilliantly when he came on. He controls the game really well.
“It’s not too much of a loss [Carbery’s injury] that way that we have someone of his quality.”
