Ospreys must bury Leinster 'fear factor' says Williams
MAGNERS LEAGUE GRAND FINAL - LEINSTER v OSPREYS Venue: Royal Dublin Showground Date: Saturday, 29 May Kick-off: 1830 BST Coverage: Live on S4C and full commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & online, score updates on BBC Sport website highlights on Sunday's Scrum V (BBC TWO Wales & online, 1730 BST)
Ospreys wing Shane Williams hopes to end a five-year Dublin losing streak
Shane Williams says the Ospreys must overcome the fear factor when facing Leinster on their impregnable home turf in Saturday's Magners League final.
The Irish region have not lost a home league game since September 2008 and have beaten their opponents in the previous six meetings home and away.
But 33-year-old wing Williams insists Leinster are "beatable" in Dublin.
"It's not good statistics for us but we don't pay too much attention to that. It's all to play for," he said.
"Last time out was a close game [a 20-16 defeat in April] and we felt we were in control, especially in the first half. The try at the start of the second half took the wind out of our sails.
"But the game took the fear away from us - they are beatable at home, even though it hasn't happened for a while.
"They've beaten us the last few times so we've got to play with a little bit of fear, but not too much respect. They are a good side with a great squad - the strength in depth they've got is quite frightening to be honest.
Jones relishing Magners 'showpiece'
"But we're pretty much the same as well. We are a good side and we can't think we're going there for the sake of it because we know we're good enough to win it."
Leinster secured home advantage for the final by finishing top of the table at the end of the regular season, beating the Ospreys to the summit by just three points.
Both squads are among the strongest in the league - and in Europe to a certain degree - with an array of experienced internationals to call upon in every position.
A large contingent developed strong links by playing alongside each other last summer as part of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured South Africa.
One of many mouth-watering match-ups on Saturday will be at full-back where Ospreys' Lee Byrne faces fellow Lion Rob Kearney.
Byrne's injury in the first Test defeat to the Springboks gave the Dubliner the opportunity to fill the Welshman's boots - an opportunity he grabbed with both hands as he delivered two outstanding performances in the final two Tests.
And Kearney, who has scored eight tries in 16 appearances this season, says the various personal battles on the pitch will give the final some extra spice.
"It's always nice to play against these boys that you've share a huge amount of memories with," he said. "They are fantastic players and you always want to test yourself against the best in the world."
And getting one over fellow Ireland and Lions team-mate Tommy Bowe, recently voted Wales and Irish player of the year, will give Kearney particular delight.
"He does enough bragging as it is already so it would be nice to shut him up for once," he added. "To put ourselves in this situation to win the competition is fantastic but it'll all count for very little unless we actually win it."
Saturday's winners will become the first side to complete a hat-trick of Magners League titles since its inception in 2001. They will also become the first to lift the trophy under the new play-off system.
Williams was one of seven from the Ospreys to tour with the Lions last summer, and Wales' record try-scorer says the players are ready for one final push to end the domestic season on a high.
"It's been a long old season but we wouldn't give this game away for love nor money," he said.
"It's all to play for in a one-off game and the guys are really looking forward to it. We've trained well this week and it's good to see the boys fresh."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?