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'No room for error in finals rugby' | Leinster coach Felipe Contepomi

Felipe Contepomi has thrown down the gauntlet to the Leinster squad ahead of what could be the mo...



Felipe Contepomi has thrown down the gauntlet to the Leinster squad ahead of what could be the most intense few weeks they will ever face as players.

The Blues restart their season this weekend with a inter-provincial derby against their fiercest rivals Munster before another local derby against Connacht which precedes the Guinness PRO14 play-off semi-finals and possible final.

If Leinster make the decider, they will have just seven days to prepare for the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Saracens and the backs coach said that it has seen competition for places really ramp up.

"Yeah it's tough obviously because we have a lot of fit players and players with the desire to get on the pitch so there will be very tough calls to make," said Contepomi.

"Having said that, it's all about Leinster and the players understand that we are making the best for us to finish the season as best we can.

"For the coaches it's a bit of headache but it's a good headache to have, it's a good problem to have and how the players have been training the last few weeks has been amazing.

"I know it will be tough for some players but we have to see the bigger picture. We have a lot of big games coming and straight away we are into finals rugby.

"So there's a lot to play for and everyone has to be ready because you don't know when you'll get your chance."

The double is still on for Leinster but with the season having been pared back due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it gives them very little game time to hit their straps for the deciding matches.

Contepomi sent out a warning that the players cannot afford to make any mistakes in what will be a very intense few matches.

"There's no room for error because in finals rugby there's no room for error," said the former Blues outhalf.

"That's the weird part of this, going into such big, important games after four months without playing but we'll all be in the same situation.

"That's what we are trying to prepare for and I'd like to think we are preparing as best we can and hopefully we get it right.

"As I said, there's no room for error. It will be very intense and that's why we need everyone switched on."

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Felipe Contepomi Guinness Pro14 Leinster Leinster Rugby Munster