Leinster's result against Northampton on Saturday will determine if their approach to the Investec Champions Cup semi-final was correct, says Robin McBryde.
Leo Cullen's squad travelled to South Africa for a BKT URC double-header against the Lions and the Stormers minus a number of regular European starters.
They lost both games without picking up a bonus point with the majority of frontliners preparing for the weekend’s Croke Park clash in Dublin.
For many of Leinster's likely starters, it will be three full weeks since they kicked a ball in anger, the comprehensive quarter-final victory over La Rochelle.
Meanwhile, Premiership leaders Northampton went toe-to-toe with Harlequins, who face Toulouse in the other semi-final on Sunday, at Twickenham, eventually losing a highly entertaining tie 41-32.
"It’s a fine line between being battle-hardened and battle-weary.
"A lot of those players would have played a high number of minutes during the Six Nations so yeah, the result on Saturday will dictate whether we got things right or not.
"Each individual is different. Some players, especially the big-game players, they are not interested in some of the week-in, week-out stuff.
"They want to be on the big stage, they get energised by being on the big stage.
To them the level of opposition warrants a reaction from them and they want to be tested against the best.
"From my experience, coaching experience as well, you know the players, even during the week, they’ve got so much confidence in their own ability they’ll just turn it on on a Saturday.
"Not everyone can do that. You've got to earn the right to do that.
"They are able to sharpen their tools at training and just turn it on on a Saturday, you get those players."
Phil Dowson’s Saints won all four Pool 3 games, and beat Munster and Bulls in the knock-out stages.
Saturday’s defeat to Harlequins was just their fifth defeat in 22 games this season.
"They are playing with a lot of confidence; they are not afraid to try things from anywhere on the field," said McBryde as Leinster confirmed Garry Ringrose and Jimmy O'Brien are available after injury, while Hugo Keenan will be further assessed for a hip issue.
"They pride themselves on being the best attacking team in the Premiership so yeah, they are well-drilled, well coached.
"Up front is going to be a big battle, they’ve got a very strong lineout, a very strong scrum so yeah, they are a good team, and they deserve to be on top of the Premiership.
"It’s going to be a tough game for us. We can’t let the Croke Park [factor] - and everything that goes along with it - get in the way. It’s going to be a tough test.
"Home advantage is one thing, but it doesn’t win you the game."
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