Leo Cullen tells GERRY THORNLEYLeinster will have to up their game if they are to beat Toulouse
LEINSTER ARE where they want to be, at the sharp edge of both League and Heineken Cup. Last week’s thrilling and draining win over Clermont maintained interest in both competitions and therefore gave everyone in the squad a lift. Injuries having also hit the squad, they all now realise that Michael Cheika will have to make full use of his squad for the remaining five to eight games of a potentially thrilling end-of-season run-in.
All eyes, for the moment, are firmly fixed on the Ospreys when the Welsh region play their third away game in seven days at the RDS on Friday night. But captain Leo Cullen is wary of thinking that might be beneficial, maintaining Leinster have to focus on themselves, and adopt the clichéd one-game-at-a-time mode.
“We’re back to the league and we want to try and get into those semis and get a home semi as quickly as we can. I suppose that gives us a little breathing space as well. But yeah, we’ve a good squad. Any time recently when guys have come in, no matter what combination we’ve gone with, guys have acquitted themselves pretty well and we need more of the same over the next six to eight weeks.”
All that said and done, it’s hard not to look back and further beyond Friday. No doubt in part mindful they were let off the hook by an unusually unsure Brock James last Friday, the sense of relief in Leinster is still palpable, mixed as it is with a realisation that a repeat will not be sufficient to overcome Toulouse in the semi-finals.
“Clermont came at us pretty strong in the first 20 minutes and we were hanging in there, to be fair,” admits Cullen.
“They created opportunities. We weren’t quite at the level required. Looking at us defensively, we were soaking tackles and they were making inroads into us in a few different channels. The fundamentals of our defence were pretty poor and it leads to holes opening up and ill-discipline; we’re scrambling that bit more and so more inclined to give away penalties and do silly things.
“We weren’t in control of the game. They have very good players as well, so definitely we did stand off them at the start. We had a 10-minute bright period in the first half that saved the game for us. It put us in a 10-point lead at half-time and take that out of the game, we were very much in second place.”
Toulouse loom large in three weeks’ time in the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup and captain Cullen was as keen as any other television viewer. “They looked pretty impressive, yeah. Once you allow them to get into the off-load game, they try to play with width and pace. When they are playing like that they’re very, very dangerous.
“In the first half Stade (Français) got into them and made life difficult; they turned them over at the breakdown quite a bit. As Stade got tired a bit in the second half, Toulouse emptied the bench. The quality of players they have in their squad really told. As the game wore on they got more and more dangerous.”
Though perhaps a little weary, the challenge is returning to domestic fare after the excitement of last Friday’s frenzied atmosphere at the RDS is as much mental. “Yeah, it was pretty cool. A lot of the credit must go to Clermont as well. There was a massive amount of noise from them, even when we were warming up beforehand. It’s not quite the style of the Leinster supporters to arrive too early for games,” he adds, laughing.
“Half an hour before the game, it was all Clermont. Obviously there are the two terrace pockets of hard-core Leinster fans but yeah, they added massively to the atmosphere. I think it’s unusual when their kicker is kicking and they’re all clapping – not that it seemed to do him any favours! It was a quality atmosphere. We’ve had a few good days this year and over the last couple of years at the RDS. It definitely is building as a venue.”
The atmosphere can only seem muted by comparison next Friday, which will add to the challenge, and Cullen exhales deeply when asked about Leinster’s current form. “It doesn’t matter really, y’know? In many ways it’s just about progressing. I think there is scope for improvement, no doubt . . . Yeah, everyone’s working hard. We’re in a really exciting time. The next three weeks is an exciting time for the provinces. We just need to work hard, do all our preparation and really enjoy the games and once we’re doing that preparation hopefully we’ll get the performances as well.”
By Cullen’s estimation, Leinster require two more home wins to secure a home semi-final, but believes the Ospreys are unlucky to be out of Europe and will now put all their focus on obtaining a home semi-final themselves in the Magners League.
“They don’t have much choice and they’re still in the shake-up to make the semis. They have one of the best squads in Europe in terms of playing talent. That will be another tough ask.
“We’re involved in two competitions and I suppose the ultimate aim of the squad is to win two trophies. It’s easy to say it. I presume anyone who’s still in the shake-up will try and win the tournament. But I think it’s always about the process that’s in place, doing our work week to week and being in the right frame of mind when it comes to playing the games.”
