Kenny Logan told skysports.com why Leicester will have the edge in the Heineken Cup final.
Battle hardened Tigers too much for Leinster says Kenny Logan
Skysports.com caught up with Kenny Logan to get his views on the Heineken Cup final.
Leicester take on Leinster in the Heineken Cup final on Saturday just sevens days after lifting the Guinness Premiership trophy and Logan, who won the double with London Wasps in 2004, believes the quick turn around will give them the advantage.
"I think it is good for them and will hold them in good stead," Logan told
skysports.com.
"I know from my Wasps days when we had big back-to-back games many people said it would harm our chances. I disagree and believed it was a massive advantage for us.
"The same can be said for Leicester - having the Heineken Cup final seven days after they won the Guinness Premiership will work in their favour. They are flying high at the moment and there is definitely an air of confidence in the Tigers camp."
Leinster on the other hand put out a under strength side in their 18-9 loss to the Dragons deciding to rest their star players - a decision that could prove costly according to Logan.
"Going into the Heineken Cup final you would have thought they wanted to put out their strongest side and get a good performance," added Logan who won 70 caps for Scotland.
"But the Celtic teams - especially the Ireland sides are renowned for resting their top players for the big games. Does it work? Well sometimes it takes them a good 15 or 20 minutes to get back into game mode which could be too late by then.
"I am a big believer that you have to play and keep on playing, especially when the other teams are still going at it hard. If you stop and try to rest players, there is the danger of losing momentum. At the end of the day the players want to play - they don't want to be rested at all.
"I think that Leicester are going to be a bit more battle hardened and ready for what ever Leinster throw at them."
Pressure on Sexton
Led by Brian O'Driscoll, Leister were superb in the semi-finals were they shocked arch rivals and defending Heineken Champions Munster with a scintillating display to win 25-6. And it is that man O'Driscoll who Logan is expecting to lead the charge once again.
"O'Driscoll is the one player who can turn this game on it's head - he is just pure class. Leinster will be looking at him to lead the way and they will follow wherever he goes.
"There big worry will be the loss of Felipe Contepomi to injury though. Jonathan Sexton came on against Munster and played really well when Contepomi went off however he did come on when Leinster were on the front foot.
"Sexton has had two weeks to think about starting this game and how he has to control it. The pressure is going to be on him from the start and will be a good test of his character. His forwards are going to be crucial for him - they have to get on the front foot to allow him the space and the time to do his thing.
"I guess the big question is can Leinster can reproduce another performance like they did against Munster?"
Backrow battles
Logan is relishing seeing the two backrows climb into each other, and with Alan Quinlan set to miss the Lions tour there could be the added bonus of a Lions place for the victor of that battle.
"Leinster's backrow were outstanding against Munster and if they can play like that again well they will put Leicester under all sorts of pressure. Their battle with Tom Croft could decide who takes Quinlan's place on the Lions tour."
Despite beating London Irish in the Guinness premiership final, the game was far from a classic game. While many people believe that the Tigers will have to improve their performance if they want to do the double, Logan believes Leicester's ability to grind out wins gives them the edge.
"Leicester have got that monkey of their back by winning at Twickenham even though it was not pretty," explained Logan.
"Much has been said about Leicester having to step up their game but the thing with Leicester is that they can grind out the wins. I am not sure Leinster can do that.
"If the flair is going to come from anyone then it will come from Leinster, but Leicester are a superb defensive unit and they have that dogged determination that wears down teams.
"I think it is going to be close but Leicester will win by seven points. Then again I did have Cardiff and Munster down to win the semi-finals."
Kenny Logan is a Heineken ambassador. Heineken, the premium continental bier, have been proud sponsors of the Heineken Cup since its inception in 1995.
