Self-styled heavy metal Vikings at Leinster ready to make a splash against Munster

"He’s like the bigger Viking and I’m the smaller Viking," says the prop of his second-row teammate

Andrew Porter and RG Snyman, the self-styled 'Leinster Vikings' are aiming to make a splash.

It's been fun so far this season but both the prop and the second-row are targeting Croke Park and Munster this Saturday for lift-off.

And from there, to take winning form on to Champions Cup and latter-stages URC rugby in search of a trophy, a first piece of silverware for the club since 2021.

READ MORE: Leinster told they have more to fear from Munster than they do from the ghosts of Croke Park

READ MORE: URC Irish Team of the Week: Conan, Casey and Forde lead the way for the provinces

“Myself and RG have a lot more in common than I thought, music tastes!" says Porter of his newly-found, heavy metal (Metallica, Rammstein Iron Maiden etc ) buddy Snyman.

"He’s like the bigger Viking and I’m the smaller Viking. He is an incredible lad, well-decorated rugby player with two World Cups. He has an incredible rugby IQ, he's an incredibly smart and bright rugby player as well.

"He is bringing something very special to this team. You are bringing a different perspective and with his physical attributes that’s a good advantage to us. It adds more beef to the pack.

"He is a great bloke on and off the field and everyone knows how skilful he is. He’s not one of those players to shove the ball up the jersey, he can throw it around as well.”

Porter is one of Snyman's designated lifters with the prop adding the second-row has excellent technique in the jump.

“No, he has a good spring in him so it is half-and-half. Not like some of the other lads!”

Porter has also struck up a good working relationship with French import Rabah Slimani, they are constant opposition at scrum sessions in training.

"He has a different perspective and is a different challenge in that he has a different style of scrumming to a lot of the lads in here. It’s so beneficial for this team that you have guys with different styles, different perspectives.

"He was one of the best tightheads, represented France, been with Clermont for so long, to have someone as experienced as him here in that tighthead position is incredibly valuable, not just for us when we are playing other teams but for internal learning.

"The biggest part is learning from these guys who have got incredible experience. They bring so much to this club, RG and Rabah. Great additions to the squad, great lads on and off the pitch. Looking forward to having a great season with them."

The prospect of Croke Park at the weekend is exciting, the history and the recent history is not lost on Porter.

“Its hard not to think of the game in 2009. Being at that, it's hard not to relive those memories. I remember being in the stands watching that so it is even more special to be playing in it.

"You never know how many games you are going to play in Croke Park. It's such a special stadium and you have to seize the opportunity when you do, given the history and the cultural importance of it to the whole of Ireland.

"It's incredibly special as a stadium and a privilege to be able to play there.”

Leinster had a comfortable win at Benetton last time out with Porter suggesting it was a ball balanced win, both attack and defence proving cohesive.

“Yeah, it just goes to show, especially what Tyler Bleyendaal has brought in as Attack Coach and Jacques in defence as well. It shows what we have been doing in pre-season and off the pitch.

"We have had to gel as fast as we can with different combinations week in and out as we drip-feed lads back in.

"First half we got good purchase and took the foot off the pedal a bit after it but overall happy with the performance, five points in the bag away from home and that’s a tough place to go. Benetton had a lot of internationals back as well.”

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