Nervous Ngatai pleased with seamless Leinster return

Charles Ngatai was asked to "empty the tank" and walked off the pitch on Saturday after a job well done.

The New Zealander hadn't featured for Leinster since early January due to a hamstring injury but was thrust back into the fray last week when Robbie Henshaw suffered a quad injury.

The former Lyon centre couldn't have asked for a much tougher reintegration with the visit of five-time champions Toulouse to the Aviva.

He got off to the perfect start, his run from deep setting up a Leinster penalty in the fifth minute.

Thereafter, the 32-year-old, who joined the club last summer, didn't put a foot out of place and made Henshaw's absence academic.

The All Black made seven tackles, won two turnovers and kicked a rousing 50:22 in the 41-22 win that sets up another Heineken Champions Cup final against La Rochelle.

He received a rapturous applause when he took his leave in the 53rd minute.

"Yeah, it was good," smiled the 6' 2" Kiwi when asked about the game.

"I was pretty nervous leading up to the game. Obviously, an injury early on in the week with Robbie going down and then I wasn't too sure what the deal was.

"Then I found out on Thursday that I was starting. It was a bit of a shock, lot of nerves but good to be out there playing again, it’s been a while, start of January.

"[Leo Cullen] said pretty much just do your role and we’ll back you and empty the tank.

"They knew I wasn’t going to go the full 80 so they just asked to give me what you’ve got and I pretty much did."

Assistant coach Robin McBryde said that Ngatai, who was making his 12th appearance for Leinster said that Ngatai fitted in seemlessly.

"He’s a quality player and a quality man, he’s been very diligent in regards to being able to step in," said the former Wales