OConnor pushing for a complete performance

European Champions Cup Pool 2 Leinster v Castres Today: RDS, 5.30pm TV: Sky Sports 2

Chances are that some tired old cliches will be trotted out about 5.30pm today when Castres go about fulfilling their obligations against a Leinster side expected to amass at least four tries and five points.

Bad travellers. Disinterested in Europe. Both observations are true, even if they havent given the entire first-team the weekend off, but they are accusations that shouldnt be swept over the wider French landscape anymore.

Only Castres and Montpellier, both of whom lie bottom of their respective pools, approach round five of the inaugural rugby Champions Cup with the air of dead men walking. That leaves four of their compatriots very much in the mix.

Toulon, Clermont and Toulouse all sit at the summits of their respective piles while a Racing Metro side devoid of Jonathan Sextons services for now sit one point behind Northampton, but hardly for long, given they face Treviso at home tomorrow.

That European form is mirrored at home, where Castres sit second from bottom in the Top 14. Montpellier lie mid-table knowing they could also find themselves immersed in a relegation battle every bit as quick as a push for the play-offs.

So, going AWOL in Europe may be distasteful but emptying their ammo on such manoeuvres would be grounds for court martial given their circumstances and Leinster coach Matt OConnor doesnt believe that is in any way devaluing the competition.

Not really, he explained. Its the reality and the dynamics that are at play. There is no point wasting your resources when the stakes are so high in your domestic league and then youve got to make sure that you stay in the Top 14.

What is surprising about all this is that a Castres side that was good enough to win the Top 14 two seasons ago, and which lost the final to Toulon last summer, should find itself wallowing in the basement halfway into the season.

The departure of some key players has played its part in blunting their spears and undermining the foundations of success at a club that lacks the financial firepower, stadium capacity and population base of the big guns.

Visit link:
OConnor pushing for a complete performance