Speaking ahead of tonight’s match against Edinburgh in the RDS Arena, Rhys Ruddock told of how the squad discussed the final run of fixtures in the GUINNESS PRO12 regular season before the match at Aviva Stadium against Munster.
With four games to go, the discussion focused on Leinster being in as strong a position as possible by the time the final whistle blows in the RDS on 7th May, when the province face Treviso in the final scheduled game of the season.
The first match in that sequence ended in victory against Munster at the Aviva. Part two comes tonight against an Edinburgh side that will be just as hungry for the win as they chase Champions Cup and potential GUINNESS PRO12 playoff qualification.
“Before the Munster game we spoke and just said ‘four games left, we need to make sure we’re in the best position possible come the end of them, no regrets’,” Ruddock told the media on Thursday afternoon.
“It was tough but we managed to get the win against Munster. Much of the same this week, it’s a massive game for both teams. Edinburgh are scrapping for a place in the playoffs, and ourselves as well. We’re at the top of the league at the moment but it’s so tight up there that a win is a must for us.
“Obviously a game like Munster in the Aviva brings that added bit of spice; something about playing Munster there is particularly big. But, I think, come the tail-end of the season now, we would hope we would have the same level of support – a full RDS is just as special when it’s rocking. We’re hoping to put in a good performance this week and keep that momentum going but also keep the support from the fans right up there as well.”
After the Edinburgh match there will be another two-week break as the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals take centre stage next weekend.
Ulster await in Kingspan Stadium on 30th April before the boys in blue return to the RDS Arena for the final scheduled game against Treviso.
For now, though, Ruddock says the squad are very much focused on taking it one game at a time as the season enters its final stage.
“When you’re at the top of the league everything is in your control. You’ve got to focus on one game at a time, win that one and see where you stand. It’s a nice place to be with it in our control. If we carry on winning our games we get those rewards at the end of it.”
Leinster face Edinburgh in the RDS Arena tonight and you can be there. Tickets are on sale now from €;20.
Tickets can also be purchased from the RDS Ticket Office (located inside Gate D on the Anglesea Road) from 6pm.
