You have got to be a very good side to get to the last four in Europe, and Northampton are certainly that. They are top of the Gallagher Premiership and went to Thomond Park last January, and despite having their hooker sent off just before half-time, managed to win with a hugely impressive performance that day.
They repeated that dose in the round of 16.
They have threats, play a brilliant brand of rugby and have more players in the England squad than any other club.
A halfback line of Alex Mitchell and Finn Smith both featured for England this year, as did George Furbank, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman.
They won't be found wanting and will take huge stock form England’s Six Nations victory over Ireland at Twickenham, where the Northampton contingent were all involved.
They are a quality side and defensively sound.
However, they are coming to Dublin and a full Croke Park. It’s going to be a phenomenal day for them and they have their history done as well.
One of their backroom team is Irish and he has given them a full rundown on what happened on Bloody Sunday. They will know what to expect on and off the field.
Leinster have put all their eggs in the European basket. While 30 travelled to South Africa for their URC double-header, they left the first squad at home for the last three weeks with nothing but Northampton on their minds.
Given the disappointments of the past number of years, given that they finally got over La Rochelle with an incredible quarter-final display, I think this is the day they are going to show up.
I expect they will stamp their mark in Europe. Everything they have done until this point of the season has been geared to making a final, and what a final it could be in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
It looks as if Toulouse will progress in the other semi-final against Harlequins.
It’s going to be a massive occasion. Northampton are a really good side, but Leinster are that bit stronger.
And more importantly, they have been preparing mentally. Jacques Nienaber, I think, could be the difference, I've seen what he has done with South Africa, how he prepares his teams, and I think that could be the difference this time.
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