Toner can carry load for Blues

Devin Toner accepts he will be one of those senior players expected to plug the leadership gap in Leinster’s pack created by Leo Cullen’s off-season move upstairs to coaches’ office.

Cullen’s playing time was already beginning to drop before he hung up his boots, but the absence of a grizzled vet like the three-time Heineken Cup-winning captain, or even a Brad Thorn or Nathan Hines, leaves Leinster looking to their giant second row.

“With Leo stepping down, there is a gap there,” said Toner yesterday. “I think I took last year to step in and run the lineout as I did. I’ve learned pretty much everything I know off Leo. To have him still around is pretty cool.