Leinster happy to play role of underdog to crack Toulon

Leo Cullen believes Leinster’s surprise defeat of Munster in the classic 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park can serve as a template as the province contemplates the prospect of facing Toulon at the same stage in Marseille.

As is the case this Sunday, the eastern province was written off in many quarters ahead of that historic meeting at GAA HQ. After all, Munster were holders and two-time winners, Leinster the perennial underachievers.

The perceived gap between the pair was only deepened by Munster’s evisceration of Ospreys in the last eight hours before Leinster scratched out a 6-5 win against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop. Few need reminding as to what happened next.