Bernard Jackman says everything is in Leinster's favour ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton but warns that doubts will remain until they lift a trophy.
Leo Cullen’s side have not reigned in Europe since 2018 and have lost the last three finals.
English champions Saints, last year’s semi-final opponents, stand in their way of a Cardiff showdown against Bordeaux or Toulouse, who play on Sunday.
Leinster scored 114 points and conceded none in their last two European games, against Harlequins and Glasgow, and have the additional firepower of RG Snyman, Jordie Barrett and Rabah Slimani in their arsenal this year, while their coaching ticket appears to be more settled.
Even last weekend’s URC loss to Scarlets, just their second defeat of the season, may work in their favour at Aviva Stadium, argues Jackman.
"I don’t see how Leinster could lose this game. It would be a massive shock," the former Ireland and Leinster hooker told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"That’s not disrespecting Northampton, they have the potential to put in a really good performance.
"But this Leinster team based on [their wins over] Harlequins and Glasgow, rested up, the quality they have, Barrett, [Andrew] Porter, RG Snyman probably on the bench, [Rónan] Kelleher on the bench, the quality of their starting team, it’s mind-boggling how strong they are.
🗣️ "Until they win a couple of titles you're probably always going to have that slight doubt around their ability to deal with pressure."@bernardjackman expects Leinster to beat Northampton on Saturday but can they go all the way? ⭐️
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"They should win it this year, [they are] unbelievably consistent, they have an unbelievable [senior] coach in Jacques Nienaber, [Tyler] Bleyendaal is hitting his straps, Cullen is keeping it all together, hurt from the last couple of years.
"I think they are better than they were last year.
"Northampton have lost Courtney Lawes and [Lewis] Ludlam, they aren’t as good.
"Are they capable of putting in a good performance? Yes, but you would argue they are not even the best team in England at the moment, they are a bit off that.
"[It’s] a home game for Leinster, last weekend before the Lions selection, on the back of a loss, even though it wasn’t this group of players, just to focus the minds, it couldn’t be better for them, an ideal scenario.
"Unfortunately, that puts massive pressure on Leinster.
"Until they win a couple of titles, you’re probably always going to have that slight doubt around their ability to deal with pressure and momentum.
"I can see them coming unstuck in a final against Toulouse, but I don’t think Northampton or Bordeaux will live with them."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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.
