Rob Baxterâs side have now won their last eight successive home games in this tournament and have not lost against French opposition in their last six meetings. Without the benefit of a proper pre-season this winter has occasionally been a grind for them but the return of Hill, Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie from Test duty supplies a sprinkling of hard-edged class which visibly lifts those around them.
Any collective rust has also now been banished and Baxter was suitably pleased at the impact of Hill and Slade, who had previously been involved in just three club games this season. âThey just add that bit of killer something,â said Baxter. âI think we needed a game ⦠Iâd expect us to be at least 10% better next week.â With no major injuries and last Octoberâs European final triumph against Racing 92 still relatively fresh in the memory, the Leinster game has all the makings of a classic.