Cullen ends his seven-year itch

IT WAS a special day for Leo Cullen, and not just because he more than played his part in what was a solid display by Ireland to kick off the defence of their Grand Slam Six Nations title.

Hard to believe, given that he’s been around for so long, and a top second-row forward through all that time, but this was just Leo’s 21st full cap, and more surprisingly, his first Six Nations match – either as starter or replacement – in seven years.

“I knew it was seven years (since the last appearance), against Wales. I remember vividly being dropped. I had played the first four games, we had won all four, now it was the Grand Slam decider in Lansdowne Road, against England. I remember that morning, Eddie (O’Sullivan, then Irish coach) calling me to his room, maybe 20 minutes before the team was announced; I hadn’t seen anyone at breakfast so I thought I was in the clear. Every week, you were a bit on edge, you knew there were guys coming back in who had been injured. I had started the week before, had come on in the previous three games, so yeah, it was a very emotional time for me, very tough to take.”