Rob Kearney simplifies next step for struggling Leinster

As shots at redemption go, it could actually be worse. The one potential positive about back-to-back clashes with the mighty Toulon in front of a huge crowd at the Aviva Stadium is that it should provide more motivation than visiting one of the Pro12's less glamorous destinations.

"One hundred per cent," agreed Rob Kearney, before also conceding: "It is tough, it is difficult. They're three times reigning European champions. The chances are we are out of Europe. But it's nice to get another crack at them. First, to see if they are beatable."

Clinging to the evidence of last Sunday’s first 40 minutes, he believed that a first win in four attempts against Toulon, after three meetings in the south of France, was achievable. “We do need to beat them, they are beatable. But they are hard to beat at the same time. I mean, you can go 15 or 20 phases against them and they will just back one of their poachers, just to get over a ball and steal. But there are any opportunities against them and there will be more this weekend. We just need to take them.”

Courage and intent

“We did create a couple at the weekend. We could have been a bit more expansive at times. We have to continue to try to play them outside the 15s, because that is where the space is. We need to maintain that courage and intent to play, which we did have at the start of the game.”

Thus, while they might also cling to the faintest of qualification hopes, that in effect is a side issue. “This week is less about mathematics and qualification and more about a performance, trying to win,” said Kearney.

When Leinster were cutting a swathe through Europe, especially in 2011 and 2012, their passing and skills set them apart. But in Toulon, and not for the first time in the last couple of years, handling errors as well as kicking errors, stymied their momentum.

“When you’re capable of a certain standard and you’re not producing, it is frustrating,” admitted Kearney.

“If you are a mediocre team, and you’re playing mediocre, sometimes that can be a bit easier to take. When you’re not fulfilling what you have, the talents you have, it is frustrating. That is why it’s all about performance this week.”

There is a danger of trying too hard in trying to rectify that. “It’s a balance coaches have to get right,” said Kearney. “We don’t have much time. We need to recover as well. You can’t just got out and pummel, pummel, pummel, train, train, train. Everyone has the skills. We’ve all proved through the years that we can pass the ball and do it well under pressure.

“We’ve lost three on the bounce in Europe. We’ve never done that before.

“It is an opportunity for people to step up too. We are in a tough time. There is a little bit of adversity there, in terms of the European performances. You need characters to stand up. There is big onus on us as players for the weekend.”

Although Kearney did not think confidence had been affected, he did admit: “It is a struggle when you’re not winning. When you win games and you’re playing well, you want to see here on a Monday morning. The lads are bouncing in here, having the craic. It’s not the same after a loss.

"There is no World Cup hangover. Any team that was not New Zealand in the World Cup could argue that they have a hangover. That's an excuse. It's not something that we, as players, are talking about. It was difficult coming back into the provinces. But every country had to do that."

Countered

In all of this, perhaps a little unfairly, the prodigal Sexton was looked upon as the messiah, even more than was the case for the newly promoted Leo Cullen. Kearney countered: "We all are frustrated with our form. He's his biggest critic.

“The outhalf generally gets more flak when the team is doing poorly and when the team is winning, the amount of man of the match they pick up is quite staggering at times. Johnny, as I say, is his own worst critic. He’ll be looking for a performance, as we all will. If the 14 other people around him are playing better, the chances are he’ll play better.”