Leinster coach Jonno Gibbes refused to take the bait following Rob Penney's attempts to crank up the pressure ahead of the sold-out Rabo Direct Pro 12 clash between Leinster and Munster this Saturday. Gibbes was asked about the Munster head coach's claims that his men would be facing the "Six Nations champions" at the Aviva.
"I don't buy it really. I think you've got two top teams, two points seperating them in the league with not many games left, in front of a sell-out crowd and they happen to be the two biggest rivals in Ireland. I think that's the story right there."
We want to promote as many of our players as we can into that international picture so we need to win games like this on Saturday. That's a pretty difficult thing to do against these guys as round five has shown," said Gibbes referring to Leinster's 19-15 defeat at Thomond Park back in October.
It's a crucial period for the Blues who go to Toulon for their Heineken Cup quarter-final date nine days later and prop Mike Ross feels the Munster game will be the perfect match to get primed and ready for Europe.
"I think both teams would agree that if you want preparation for the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup, this is perfect. You get to see where you are very quickly whereas if you're playing, maybe an easier game, it wouldn't be as good preparation."
Head coach Matt O'Connor watched the whole squad train today with prop Jack McGrath looking like the only player who could be a doubt for the Munster match. The international is suffering with a shoulder niggle sustained in action against France in the Six Nations decider.
Leinster Rugby confirmed this morning that all tickets for this Saturday's match had been sold.
