Champions Cup hero warns SA sides of wounded Leinster: 'They've sounded their warning'

Heineken Champions Cup-winning outside back Raymond Rhule says Irish powerhouses Leinster mustn't be underestimated despite their loss to La Rochelle last week.

Leinster missed out on a fifth Champions Cup title when Rhule conspired with his team to get past the Dublin side.

Leinster still have an opportunity to salvage their season with success in the United Rugby Championship when they host the Glasgow Warriors in the quarter-finals on Saturday afternoon.

They're expected to win that game, from where they'll host a home semi-final too.

Rhule said Leinster remains a threat for South African teams.

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The Bulls host the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld, with the winner of that game likely to travel to Dublin for a semi-final.

"They've sounded their own warning. They're an excellent side, well-polished and always in place," Rhule told Sport24.

"If you don't pitch up on the day, you'll get 50, so I would think the South African teams are wary of Leinster's standard and I'm sure they'll do their homework.

"Leinster remains one of Europe's greatest sides."

Rhule felt that Leinster's untroubled 40-17 win over French giants Toulouse in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup left them underprepared mentally for an arm-wrestle with La Rochelle.

"I think Leinster played their final against Toulouse. They played that beautiful game in the semi-final where they won by a wide margin," Rhule said.

"We had a scrappy showing against Racing, so we were more battle-hardened for a scrap because of a previous experience while Leinster had a captain's run."

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