Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Ireland 'the best team in the world' admits South African coach

Ireland players celebrate after teammate Ciarán Frawley, hidden, kicked their side's winning drop goal in the last seconds of the second test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The Lions are setting their sights on the ‘best team in the world’ as they get ready to head to Dublin to face the mighty Leinster in Round Six of the United Rugby Championship.

ADVERTISEMENT

This will be the Lions’ biggest test in the competition thus far but they head into that clash second in the standings and know this will be their best possible opportunity ever to beat Jacques Nienaber’s charges in Dublin.

There’s little doubt who the best team in the URC is through five rounds.

Leinster made that perfectly clear in the first 15 minutes of its historic match against Munster in Round 3.

Video Spacer

Louis Rees-Zammit – Walk the Talk trailer | RPTV

Wales try-scoring wizard Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for an exclusive chat about life in the NFL. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

Louis Rees-Zammit – Walk the Talk trailer | RPTV

Wales try-scoring wizard Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for an exclusive chat about life in the NFL. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Leinster, arguably the best European club in the sport for the last four years, and certainly the best to have not won a major championship in that time period, seems to be on a warpath in 2024-2025.

Fixture
United Rugby Championship
Leinster
24 - 6
Full-time
Lions
All Stats and Data

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen revealed he has been plotting his game plan for a while, relishing the thought of taking on the Irish giants after two victories on tour.

That time is here and Van Rooyen says his side will in all likelihood face the full might of Leinster’s best this weekend, something they have not done in the past.

“We are under no illusion that it is probably 90% of the best team in the world currently, with Ireland ranked No. 1, so we know where Ireland’s Test ranking is,” Van Rooyen candidly stated after his team’s victory over Zebre on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Leinster is ranked No. 1 in the world. So we are under no illusion that it is going to be tough, but we are excited to see how and where we can push them.

“To see if we can push them and set us apart from where we were last year.

“We will start selling that picture to the team soon,” he stated with a wry smile.

The coach was evidently very pleased with how results have gone in their favour up to now.

“It’s important to keep on holding on to what has been working for us.

“It is going to be an exciting clash next weekend.

“It is probably the first time, I am assuming, that we will play Leinster’s real A-team and we are playing at Aviva which we know how proud they are there,” Van Rooyen said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It is a big week for us.

“[We’ve played] four really different games in four different conditions and with four different ways and styles.

“I think Zebre played us really well, especially in the last 20 minutes, when they didn’t really play any rugby, they just kicked back to us finding grass.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
4
Draws
0
Wins
1
Average Points scored
23
22
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
80%

“So there’s some nice lessons to learn for us. We feel there is growth internally which is good,” the coach explained.

But the challenges will take a humongous leap this week as they have to navigate facing one of the lower teams [Zebre] one week and then arguably the best in the world thereafter.

“Next week will be a totally different challenge for us, different beast, different tempo, different running options, rushed defence because Jacques [Nienaber] is there.

“They have been going well so [it’s] a totally different challenge for us which is exciting.

“If you offered me eight points pre-tour, I probably would’ve taken it.

“We knew the first two games were going to be tough. The Dragons are a tough team, and the way they play at home, disrupting breakdowns, spoiling as much as they can – it’s tough to beat them there.

“And Zebre in these conditions – all the x-factor went out the game, it became an arm wrestle and kicking game.

“So it has been a big character lesson for us, a lot of rugby lessons for us so if we keep on growing, anything is possible next week.”

Related

Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

4 Comments
C
Cosmo 16 days ago

Yeah nah

B
Bull Shark 17 days ago

He confirmed that they’re the no.1 ranked team in the world. Everyone calm down.

R
RedWarrior 18 days ago

I am really looking forward to this match. Lions have won pretty and ugly. The pitch will be superb in the Aviva. Will be a great test for both teams.

Coach comment re Leinster is normal: big up the opponents so understandable to lose but huge result to win. Flattery can make opponents casual but Leinster are in the zone for now.

J
Jmann 18 days ago

Let the bonfire of vanities commence.

T
Terry24 18 days ago

Its normal to egg up your opponents before a tough looking game. If you lose: we lost againstthe best team. If you win: we beat the best team. Lions are playing really well: great match play v Zebre while demolishing the likes of Edinburgh at home on fast surfaces. Aviva is in perfect nick. Should be a great match.

Leinster are on a mission this year though and improving every game.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ Borthwick the innovator needs to trust his instincts and cut England loose Borthwick the innovator needs to trust his instincts and cut England loose
Search