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Brian O'Driscoll breaks do...

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Brian O'Driscoll breaks down the threat Racing 92 pose to Leinster

98FM
98FM

05:55 11 May 2018


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Will Leinster win their fourth Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup?

Will Bilbao be added to the list of celebratory locations?

We'll find out on Saturday when Leinster take on Racing 92 in the Champions Cup final.

Leinster and Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll joined us from Bilbao to build up to the decider. 

While Leinster are billed as clear favourites, what do Racing 92 have to do to upset the applecart?

Brian O'Driscoll breaks down the threat Racing 92 pose to Leinster

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"I think defensively they have to be as good as they were in the 40 minutes," he said.

"Ronan O'Gara's legacy is clearly evident in that they're playing very aggressive. They're marking the ball rather than the man and they're not thinking about drifting a whole lot.

"Their ability to stop momentum on the gain-line with Nyanga and Le Roux and Lauret and these guys are going to be hugely important. 

"They're good at identifying when to steal the ball when there's slow rucks. Their defensive first of all has to be excellent.

"I also think their star players like Vakatawa, Nakawara and the Teddy Thomas of the world all have to have huge individual performances and to be able to show their real European X-factor class because they will need scores.

"Leinster are going to score points. Leinster are going to score 20 to 25 points, you would imagine, conditions allowing, and so Racing are going to have to score points themselves."

BOD added that if Leinster build up a lead, it's hard to see any other conclusion than a Racing 92 defeat and that the French side would need a near "perfect game" to emerge victorious against his former side.

"It's hard not to get excited like the other Leinster supporters out there. The favourites tag is absolutely warranted. But they still have to go and deliver on the big stage," he added. 

Tune into Off The Ball on Saturday for full live commentary of the Champions Cup Final.


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