Dillyn Leyds has warned La Rochelle of the never-say-die attitude of his former side, the DHL Stormers, when the teams clash in the winger’s first game back home since 2020.
Leyds will start for a powerful La Rochelle side in the Champions Cup tussle against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Returning to the Mother City, the Springbok flyer is part of a potent backline that features veteran fullback Brice Dulin, Frenchmen Jonathan Danty and Antoine Hastoy as well as former All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
The Stormers are fired up to log their first win of the competition this season after giving an excellent account of their depth in the first round last week in Leicester, and Leyds expects a tough challenge against a few familiar faces.
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“If you score three tries and think you’re going to win, the Stormers will outscore you by five,” he was quoted by Netwerk24.
“There’s just something about playing at home for the Stormers. You gain an arm and a leg, and defend your goal line with dedication. That’s what we expect.
“But as much as we can talk about the Stormers, we can also catch fire when we want and we have quality players everywhere on the field.”
Leyds played a key role for Ronan O’Gara’s men in winning back-to-back Champions Cup titles (2021-22, 2022-23), yet the Somerset West-born speedster is delighted to be back playing in his hometown, albeit on the opposing side.
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“Actually, it will be extremely strange to sit in the visitors’ dressing room in Cape Town and not wear the same jersey as guys like Herschel Jantjies and Damian Willemse,” he said.
“Nevertheless, it’s exciting for anyone to play against their former club. I have been excited since the draw took place. Never in my life could I have imagined that I would be returning to play against the Stormers, especially after making the move to France.”
The defending champions have brought their best and brightest to the Republic in a bid to bounce back from an opening round defeat in France against Irish giants Leinster.
Leyds added: “Everyone knows that we are in a tough group. You will find yourself in a difficult position if you lose your first two games. You will have to win your remaining two games and will also depend on other results in your favour.”
Photo: AFP/Getty Images
