World is finally Cullen’s oyster

LEO CULLEN could have cited revenge as a motivating factor for success against the United States on Sunday but there are reasons aplenty why the Leinster captain has a point to prove at international level.

Should Cullen be given the nod to start in the Irish second row against the Eagles, the 33-year-old lock will be making his World Cup debut in New Plymouth this weekend. Cullen was twice overlooked by former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan, omitted from both the 2003 and 2007 squads.

And for all his success at provincial level with two Heineken Cup winners’ medals to his name, dislodging the Munster second row of Donncha O’Callaghan and Paul O’Connell has been a constant struggle and Cullen feels there is still another rung to climb after just 31 caps gathered since June 2001.