Stuart Barnes, the former rugby union player and current pundit, believes that despite the furor around Croke Park hosting the Champions Cup semi-final, it won't give Leinster a psychological edge in their Champions Cup semi-final against the Northampton Saints because the Aviva Stadium is their natural home.
Leinster hosted the Saints in Croker this weekend because of scheduling issues with the Aviva. The other Dublin venue will host the Europa League final this month. As a result, the game will be hosted in Croke Park for the first time since 2009, when Leinster famously beat Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-finals.
Barnes, a former England player, knows how special Croke Park can be.
"Croke Park is an iconic stadium and comes with a lot of history and prestige due to previous events like Bloody Sunday, and for any Irish sports star to play there is an honour," said Barnes, writing in The Times.
"Croke Park, the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, is one of the great sporting venues, but rugby union is a rarity in this sporting temple. The 82,300-capacity stadium is the home of historic events that will not be forgotten. Without going into the bloody deeds, Hill 16 is the stuff of bloody facts that merge into a national history, all merged with mythology.
Who remembers the last time we were at Croke Park in 2009? 😍
Sold out again this weekend, atmosphere will be WILD 🙌#ThrowbackThursday #InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/IpYxt3KSoM— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 2, 2024
Many believe that Leinster could be spurred on by the historic venue, but according to Barnes, Leinster won't be inspired by the ground because they've had one win in 15 years at the venue, and the Aviva is the home of Irish rugby. He believes both grounds are not the same.
"The Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road to those of a certain age and determination not to bow to the corporate takeover of sport) is a home from home for the Leinster team. This is where the European giants are used to playing their knockout games," he added.
"This is where the vast core of the Irish team represents their nation. They probably have their own pegs in the dressing room.
"Leinster playing at the Aviva would be a home semi-final. Croke Park is not the same. One epic win 15 years ago is a happy memory, not a psychological edge...
"Leinster could be inspired if things start well. They could equally be intimidated if the Saints run up a few early scores—a majority of 80,000 fans favouring you can be both a blessing and a curse. Likewise, if the occasion does not intimidate Northampton, it might well inspire them.
Leinster Rugby takes on the Northampton Saints in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup at Croke Park on Saturday, May 4th, at 17:30.
See More: Champions Cup, Leinster, Rugby
