O’BRIEN-INSISTS THAT LEINSTER WILL BOUNCE BACK

JIMMY O'BRIEN says there is an onus on Leinster fronting up and taking points home from South Africa after the “100 per cent shock” of getting nilled in their URC opener.

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

The Bulls, who lost to Leo Cullen's side in June’s Grand Final, are next up on Saturday - so it doesn't get any easier for Leinster, even if the hosts are without their Springboks.

But there's a fear factor at play now for the players on tour after their 35-0 drubbing by the Stormers - a desire not to let down the Ireland and Lions stars watching from home.

“You don't want to go back there without getting any points for the team or the club,” O'Brien said.

“When you come down here, you become a pretty tight knit group and you really want to play for each other, try to put out a performance for each other. It's definitely something at the forefront of all our minds. After last week's performance, this week has gotten even more important.”

The title holders trailed 9-0 at halftime in Cape Town in the first game of the new season but the Stormers drove home their obvious superiority in the second half.