Captain Fantastic Cullen ready to face familiar foes

AN OUTSIDER doesn’t get to captain Leicester Tigers without being a deserving recipient; neither, even, does a homegrown player get to lead Leinster in the face of a challenge from national captain and rugby’s iconic Brian O’Driscoll.

Very few come back to resurrect an international career that was flagging during his sojourn across the water, but Leo Cullen has done it all.

He has been that overseas guy to lead a very parochial club in England 15 times out of 56 appearances and has participated in 12 Heineken Cup games with the club. He also came back to lead Leinster to a first Heineken Cup title, to play a significant role in Ireland’s Grand Slam last season and, now he is ready for more.