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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Toulouse have no fear about playing Leinster in Dublin, insists Richie Gray

They went to Racing's shiny new arena and won their quarter-final with 14 men, so having to go to the Aviva Stadium to face Leinster for a place in the final doesn't faze Toulouse.

At least that's what Richie Gray insists.

“I won't get into that," said the Scottish international when asked about the fairness of the last four tie being played at a venue that Leinster can call their own. 

"We're happy to play Leinster at the Aviva. It's a huge privilege for us, obviously, playing at the national stadium. The boys are looking forward to it.

“Racing is an incredible stadium, as is the Aviva. We’ve got the young guys coming through here, who’ve won the under-20 World Cup. 

“They've a huge amount of confidence and experience from that. They’ve not got much fear. 

“They just want to go out and play some rugby, which is a great way to be.”

Toulouse's Richie Gray in action against Racing 92 (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

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Gray also claims Toulouse have not spoken about the first team to win to five Champions Cup titles. 

“I’ve not heard the conversation happen," he confirmed.  

"But he's not surprised that Leinster have had it.

“When a team has been as successful in recent times, it’s normal to have that motivation and to go back-to-back as well," the 29-year-old stated.

Having returned from a back injury at the end of January, Gray is pumped to be involved.

But Toulouse have already lost in Ballsbridge this year, albeit not on Lansdowne Road.

Instead, the free-scoring Top 14 leaders were limited to one try at the RDS in January as Leinster gained revenge for their earlier pool defeat in Toulouse.

Adam Byrne scores a try against Toulouse when the sides met at the RDS Arena (©INPHO/Oisin Keniry)

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“We weren’t as clinical as we could be," acknowledged Gray.

“There were dropped balls in key areas - if we had held onto, who knows – which let Leinster off the hook. 

“Leinster did what they do well - put pressure on, put us back in the corners and kept the ball. 

“We know that we just have to be more clinical. If we can fix those things, it will be a good game.

“We definitely have to hold onto the ball better and make good decisions. That’s rugby all-round.”  

But Leinster are aware thatl it has been vintage Toulouse in general this season on both fronts.

If they needed reminding, the thrilling 47-44 victory over Clermont last weekend provided it.

“In the dressing room (afterwards) there was a huge amount of relief," said Gray. "In all honestly, we got out of jail. 

"So a bit of relief obviously. Delighted to beat a team like Clermont and stay top of the league but we know we need to sharpen up against Leinster.

“If we give Leinster 44 points, it could be a very difficult day at the office. We'll need to sharpen in attack and defence.”

And, despite the Red and Blacks' position at the head of affairs in their own league, the 30-year-old stresses that their main focus is not the Bouclier de Brennus.

"Not at all," he said. “This is still a huge club with huge ambition and we want to do well in both competitions. There is no priority given.”

Second rows Gray and Richie Arnold will relish the opportunity to go up against Leinster's twin towers, Devin Toner and James Ryan.

"He's a fantastic player," said Gray of Ryan. "I was just looking at stats from the competition so far and some of his numbers are incredible.

“His work rate is unbelievable and he just seems to get better and better.

"Devin has become an integral part of the Leinster and Irish sides. He runs the lineout incredibly well and he poses a lot of problems for the opposition.

“Obviously he's a big boy and carries well. He gets a lot of weight behind his carries. 

"He's just grown and grown and become such an important player for club and country.”

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