Ex-Ireland forward Bernard Jackman believes that 2025 is the year Leinster finally end their drought and win the Investec Champions Cup after embracing Jacques Nienaber’s methods.
The Irish province, despite being stacked with Ireland internationals, have lost the last three finals, going down to La Rochelle twice before succumbing to Toulouse in 2024.
They have looked imperious so far this season, however, topping the United Rugby Championship table and qualifying for the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a dominant 62-0 triumph over Harlequins in the round-of-16.
Easier side of the draw
Leinster have Glasgow Warriors next up in the last-eight and, should they get through that challenge, either Northampton Saints or Castres await in the semi-finals.
But Leo Cullen’s men will ultimately be judged on whether they are lifting the trophy at the end of the campaign.
They are on the easier side of the draw but, should they make it through to the showpiece event, a monumental test will await, as it did in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
If the Irish side get through to the final, thoughts may go back to those previous disappointments but Jackman reckons that “this has to be Leinster’s year.”
In his column for the Irish Independent, the former Leinster hooker detailed why the province are in a better position than they were a couple of years ago.
“There seemed to be a lack of acceptance that they needed a radical change of approach following the disappointments in Europe since 2018, but it looks like the penny has finally dropped,” he wrote.
“You have to give credit to those in charge for grasping the nettle. There is no silverware to show for it yet, but they look in rude health on the field and off it.”
Jackman firstly credits the signing of top-class overseas talent, who have added to the depth and quality already at their disposal.
“The first change that was noticeable was in their foreign player recruitment which began before they lost to Toulouse in last year’s final. Signing three world-class players of the quality of Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett was a statement of intent,” he wrote.
“They haven’t signed any player of that quality in a decade and to get three together was a serious flex of their muscles.”
Leinster’s biggest change
However, the main alteration has come in the game plan following the arrival of double Rugby World Cup winner Jacques Nienaber, who was the mastermind behind the Springboks’ blitz defence.
The ex-Boks boss has revolutionised that Leinster rearguard and, as a result, teams are struggling to cope, as evidenced by their 62-0 hammering of Harlequins at the weekend.
“To replace one world-class coach in Stuart Lancaster they went and got one of if not the best coach in the world in Jacques Nienaber. They were incredibly brave and ambitious,” Jackman added.
“If you bring someone as good as Nienaber in, then you have to let him do his thing and do it his way and with a full pre-season now under his belt we can see that his methods are really getting buy-in from the players.
“I have said before that I don’t think the way Leinster play has helped Ireland, but I think that is an issue for Ireland. Nienaber is here to deliver silverware just as he has done for the Springboks with two World Cups and a Lions series.
“Leinster brought a line speed and desire to hurt in the tackle that they (Harlequins) don’t normally experience and will not want to face again for a long time.”
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/bernard-jackman-claims-leinster-finally-embracing-radical-change-of-best-coach-in-the-world-jacques-nienaber
