Leo Cullen ‘outstanding leader for Leinster’

Leo Cullen is the type of special character who can make light of his limited coaching experience and succeed in the daunting task of guiding Leinster back to the summit of the Pro12 and European games, according to Jonathan Sexton.

Cullen was yesterday confirmed as the permanent head coach for a two-year period after a summer as the interim man in charge, with chief executive Mick Dawson describing the 37-year old as the best candidate interviewed after what he termed to be a “thorough and robust” interview process.

However, it is believed that the province struggled to attract applicants with the sort of glittering CVs expected by the fans due to perceived issues such as the number of players missing on Ireland duty during the World Cup and the growing financial muscle of clubs in England and France.

The former captain now takes over the reins with the three-time European champions on the back of just one season as forwards coach under his predecessor Matt O’Connor and with Kurt McQuilkin confirmed as defence coach for two years and Richie Murphy as skills coach.

John Fogarty will assume the scrum brief while Girvan Dempsey will continue in the role of backs coach until the end of the World Cup and with Sexton hinting that there would probably be some foreign influence ushered in to aid that homegrown backroom team after Dempsey.

“Special people do special things and he’s been an outstanding leader for Leinster,” said Sexton when Cullen’s inexperience as a coach was put to him. “He was always the voice that people went to in the set-up when I was there anyway.

“I don’t know how the last two years have gone down, I haven’t really gotten into it with the guys too much, but it was always Joe (Schmidt)’s voice first and foremost and then not too far behind was Leo’s. And at times Leo was able to tell Joe how he saw things and Joe took it on board.”

Cullen was always going to be a member of the coaching team, whatever transpired, said Sexton who dismissed suggestions that he was frustrated by the behind-the-scenes turmoil since the departure of O’Connor, having last summer agreed to return to the club from Racing Metro.

The new coach’s familiarity with the players has been identified as another possible stumbling block, but Sexton believes his familiarity with the club and its ethos will stand to him and there was also the ultimate compliment when he claimed Cullen was “similar” to Schmidt.

“Just the honesty,” he explained when asked to expand on Cullen’s best traits.

“As a player, that’s what you want from your coach. Sometimes it’s hard to take, but you want someone who gives it to you straight-up and leaves you not in two minds.

“I’ve had coaches before where they tell you you’re doing great, but then drop you in the very same conversation and you’re left wondering. I’d rather a coach just said to me ‘this is how it is, this is what you need to improve on.’’

“If you go and do it, you are going to be picked. I think he’ll bring that to the environment. Discipline would be an important thing. Already I can see around the place it’s such a big thing and it’s so important in an environment.”