URC: Jake White relishing Leinster challenge at Loftus

The men from Pretoria were made to work hard for a tense 30-23 win over Italian outfit Benneton, who punched well above their weight in the knockout clash.

The win earns the Bulls a semifinal berth against Irish giants Leinster, a familiar foe. White reminded the press of the short but spicy history between the two clubs.

"The one really positive thing is [after] they beat us 31-3 in the opening game the first year, we beat them in the semifinals at Leinster," said the World Cup winning coach, as per rugby365.com.

"So it's not something that hasn't been done by our group.

"We are the only South African team that has ever played Leinster's full-strength side and this will be the third time. There is no other franchise that has played Leinster's full-strength side. In three years, not one of the other franchises.

"When they came here, they brought their second stringers and at the beginning of the season when we toured there with the South African sides, they were at the World Cup.

"But there's a positive to that. It means we've played their best players â- this is the third time."

"For me it's like, let's recover, let's get ready, get our bodies right. It's not going to get any easier now."

White went on to heap praise on Benneton's resolve and admitted that close result - combined with Leinster's 43-20 mauling of Ulster - has seen his charges branded with the underdog tag for next weeks' semifinal.

Not that he minds.

"No-one thought Benetton could beat us, and they nearly did," continued White.

"So we probably got no chance against Leinster and no chance against Munster, in everyone's eyes. Probably two of the best clubs in the world. But that's sometimes a nice place to be."

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