Matt Williams: Leinster must invoke the spirit of Croke Park as they close in on destiny

Leinster’s rushing defence system will be tested on the vast expanses of Ireland’s iconic stadium by a highly-skilled Northampton teamLeinster finally return to the scene of their iconic victory over Munster in front of a packed Croke Park in 2009 which reshaped the nature of the relationship between the two provinces. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Here, let me remind you that rushing defence, as it is now termed, is not new. It was Warren Ryan, a rugby league coach, who created the rushing system when he led the Canterbury-Bankstown rugby league club to win the Sydney Premiership in 1984 and 1985. Then, it was termed “umbrella defence”. “Each defender takes up approximately one square metre of space,” Box declared. “So every one of these defensive systems leaves 6,985m² of space to attack. Every defensive system has weaknesses, failings and vulnerabilities. None are perfect. Your job as a coach is to figure out what those vulnerabilities are and then create tactics to exploit their weaknesses.”The universal truth from that day still remains.

Like South Africa at last year’s World Cup, Leinster are now leaving vast tracts of territory vacant outside their last defender. Ireland’s accurate, skilful and effective passing game unlocked the Springboks’ rushing system twice this season, proving that Box O’Shea’s statement remains relevant. When Northampton defeated Munster at Franklin’s Gardens in the Round of 16, they exploited the space out wide with some exquisite passing and kicking skills. The key to that highly impressive attacking performance was that the Saints earned the right to go around Munster, by first going through them.

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