Leinster forwards coach Robin McBryde says Leinster are still hurt by the manner of last year's European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints. Photograph: Grace Halton/InphoOutside of Leinster, qualification for a sixth Champions Cup semi-final in a row is almost taken as read. Saturday’s quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm) against a free-hitting Sale Sharks is Leinster’s biggest game of the season by a distance. Sale Sharks' George Ford (centre) passes the ball during last Saturday's Champions Cup round-of-16 match against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop, London. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA Wire“If you look at the Sale game against Harlequins last weekend, I think they played championship rugby, really – Test rugby.

Source: The Irish Times April 08, 2026 14:02 UTC