The DHL Stormers will be stronger and wiser, regardless of the result in Friday’s top-of-the-table clash against Leinster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, according to MARK KEOHANE.
Defending champions, the Stormers welcome back a host of Springboks – including captain Steven Kitshoff – to face the five-time European champions at the RDS Arena on Friday night, and are set to clash for the first time in Dublin.
Despite missing a host of Ireland’s Six Nations stars, Leinster have still been able to name a strong match-day 23 as Leo Cullen’s troops look to stretch their 15-game unbeaten run in the URC this season.
In his TimesLIVE column, Keohane argues that Dobson’s charges have “never invested in the easy route or shied away from the reality” of testing themselves against top-tier opponents in the URC, and that this week’s duel will give the Capetonians an indication of what is required to win a final in Dublin.
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“Dobson gave his current Boks the softer option of playing for Western Province in the Currie Cup in Durban, but all seven national players wanted to play against Leinster,” he writes.
“It said everything about the character of these players and the belief within the Stormers camp that they are good enough to topple Europe’s most consistent club side.
“Leinster, whenever they play at home, are expected to win and by all accounts if the Stormers are to defend the URC title, then they will have to go back to Dublin for a final.
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“Whatever the home team lineup, it will give the Stormers an indication of what is required to win in Dublin. If they win and it is not against the full-strength Leinster, they will have the memory of winning in Dublin.
“If they lose, they will have a month to fix those areas in which they were not good enough, should they make it through to a final in Dublin against the strongest available Leinster.
“The Irish province are to the northern hemisphere what the Crusaders are to southern hemisphere regional rugby. They are the best and the Stormers can only be better off for playing against the best.
“It is an all-win situation for John Dobson’s Stormers in Dublin on Friday night.”
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