Looking Good: Leinster skipper Cullen backs rising star Ruddock to shine

LEO CULLEN has given young flanker Rhys Ruddock a resounding thumbs up as Leinster face into several competitive fixtures without many of their star players.

With national commitments taking up considerably more time for the established players, the 19-year-old Ruddock, capped for Ireland on the recent tour to New Zealand and Australia, will be expecting to step up to the mark in Leinster’s upcoming Magners League campaign.

Leinster’s international contingent will likely miss up to 65% of the league programme; Ruddock and his ilk will therefore feature more strongly than ever during the campaign.