Robin McBryde reckons Leinster's loss to Scarlets wasn’t necessarily a "bad thing" in the context of the team’s overall goals as they move into the business end of the season.
Leinster missed out on the opportunity to cement a top-place finish in the BKT United Rugby Championship when they fell to a 35-22 defeat at Scarlets at the weekend.
Prior to that, Leo Cullen’s men had scored 24 tries and conceded just two in huge wins over Harlequins and Glasgow in the Investec Champions Cup, and Ulster in the URC.
On Saturday, Leinster, beaten in the last three finals, face a repeat of last season’s European semi-final when Northampton Saints visit Aviva Stadium (5.30pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
"I don't think it's a bad thing that we had a shot across the bows last week against the Scarlets," assistant coach McBryde told RTÉ Sport.
"They were better than us on the day, they played well and it sort of put everybody back on their toes.
"Maybe in the long run it’s not a bad thing that we’ve had that little bit of a warning shot, that things we thought were locked and loaded, or signed and sealed, that we’re not quite infallible as we thought.
"It’s definitely put everybody back on their toes. We need to get more consistency, build intensity and be focussed on the task at hand.
"There's a big focus on the here and now. What's happened in the past, we can't change and we can't look too far forward.
"A lot of guys had an opportunity last week against the Scarlets and we’ve all done a little bit of soul-searching after that game, asking how we could have done things better."
Leinster look set to continue without Ireland lock James Ryan but will welcome back RG Snyman (above), who had missed the trip to Wales with a dead leg. Will Connors has been ruled out.
The Saints are seventh in the Premiership but have impressed in Europe, recording wins over Castres twice, Bulls, Munster and Clermont.
After surviving a late scare in last year’s semi-final meeting at Croke Park, McBryde says Leinster won’t underestimate Phil Dowson’s side.
"They are a very dangerous attacking outfit, they are very comfortable in how they approach the game, their mindset, they do everything very well at pace," said the former Wales hooker.
"We are going to have to have our wits about us. I’m sure they are going to try and run us ragged.
"We’re going to have to try and be one step ahead and have a good feel for what’s coming."
Watch the Champions Cup semi-final, Leinster v Northampton Saints, on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
