Leinster vs Glasgow: Fatigue not an issue for Irish province, insists Jacques Nienaber

For much of the Leinster squad, the past month has stirred a broad spectrum of emotions.

There was the agony of an Investec Champions Cup semi-final loss at home to Northampton, denying the province a shot at redemption after a hat-trick of final defeats in the previous three seasons.

Just a few days later, the bulk of the squad were confronted with the whirlwind that is British and Irish Lions squad announcement day.

For most of them, it was good news, but for those who missed out it was another bitter pill so soon after their Champions Cup demise.

But the rugby season is relentless and Leinster can still end the season on a high note. Winning the United Rugby Championship title would both prevent a fourth successive season without silverware and soothe some of the lingering European pain.

However, the challenge of fending off exhaustion while chasing trophies has seemingly weighed heavily on the players in recent weeks, labouring to a 33-21 URC quarter-final win over Scarlets at Aviva Stadium last weekend despite having raced into a 12-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes.

Next up is a last-four encounter with holders Glasgow on Saturday (14:45 BST). Leinster have beaten Glasgow twice this season: a whopping Champions Cup quarter-final shutout and a less convincing URC win, both in the past seven weeks.

And while the prepare for a trilogy at the end of an enervating campaign, Jacques Nienaber – under whom the team’s defence has thrived – does not sense depleted levels of energy or focus within the group.

“No, not at all,” said the 52-year-old South African.

“We’re cracking on. It’s a privilege for any team to be involved in the knock-out stages.

“It’s a privilege for us definitely to be testing ourselves against Glasgow this weekend, the reigning champions, who obviously understand how to play knock-out games if you look at what they did last year. It’s a privilege to test ourselves against a quality side like that.”