Mike Ross full of praise for impenetrable Leinster

Former Ireland prop Mike Ross believes Jacques Nienaber's fingerprints are all over Leinster’s impressive start to the season as their defence shut down La Rochelle to secure a fine 16-14 win in France on Sunday.

Leo Cullen and his players had to endure a nervy finale as Ronan O’Gara’s charges pushed for a winning score, but in the end they added another notable result to the list as they made it three wins from three in their Investec Champions Cup pool.

The hosts were held to a meagre 14 points on Sunday, their joint lowest home tally this season alongside their Top 14 loss to Vannes back in November.

Even with O’Gara’s side managing just 14 points, it was the third highest tally that the Irish province have conceded in 12 games this season with opponents failing to reach double figures on five occasions already.

For Ross, that owes a lot to Nienaber’s influence.

"Defence wins games and certainly Nienaber’s defensive style that he has brought with him has been incredibly effective," he told RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland.

"Watching some of their defensive sets, they're incredible. La Rochelle started five yards out from the Leinster line and by the end of it they were back out on the 22.

"The line speed that they bring, the amount of competition that goes on for the ball at the rucks, which also slows down the offence ball – Garry Ringrose absolutely hammering a few guys in the tackle."

It was the sixth meeting between the two sides since 2021 with Leinster easing some of the pain of back-to-back Champions Cup final defeats to the French outfit with two victories last season, including a 16-9 win at the same venue.

Ross believes that consistency will build confidence as the campaign progresses towards knockout rugby.

"Over the