It’s simple but it could not be more true.
Leinster have had an incredible season so far and there are many reasons for this.
There is the effect which Stuart Lancaster has had on the team’s defence, the incredible form shown by the eastern province’s established Ireland internationals but perhaps, the most important reason is the almost meteoric rise of some of the youngsters at the club.
Joey Carbery, Adam Byrne, Luke McGrath, Dan Leavy, Ross Molony, Tom Daly, Barry Daly and Rory O’Loughlin have all impressed this season.
The academy which belongs to this Leinster side is the envy of most of Europe.
And it’s not hard to see why when you see the aforementioned talent settling in so seamlessly in the first-team when called upon.
Leinster have named a strong team for their quarter-final clash with Wasps in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday but the matchday 23 is still brimming with a flourish of youthful exuberance.
Really going for it https://t.co/gedLnawhin
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 31, 2017
Two of the players who are are named in the starting lineup for this weekend’s clash are Byrne and Carbery.
At today’s media briefing, captain Isa Nacewa told SportsJOE how far the two players have come this season.
“Look, we’ve been building throughout the year. Joey and Adam Byrne have come a huge way since the preseason and they look to try and get better every week and I think that’s what we’ve been driving…”
Nacewa was quizzed on whether Byrne and Carbery will be able to handle the pressure of playing in a Champions Cup quarter-final in front of a raucous 50,000 home crowd but the 34-year-old veteran had no qualms about outlining his confidence in the duo.
“It is a big occasion but these guys have stepped up in Europe already. Joey’s been exposed to international rugby over the last eight months…”
Perhaps the most important thing Nacewa told the media at today’s event was that the most important thing for the players to remember is that they should enjoy themselves playing on such a wonderful occasion.
“It’s about enjoying the moment at the end of the day and focusing on what we can control. So those guys looking forward to the occasion and it’s going to be a good one.”
Games don’t get much better than playing in front of 50,000 home supporters in the biggest game which your side has had in some time.
Although there will be an element of pressure on the players, it will be a situation which they will relish and will ultimately enjoy.
