Worrier Leo Cullen hopes Leinster can sense danger

Not even the biting cold everyone expects to sweep through the dilapidated RDS should penetrate the feelgood vibes before kick-off tonight as Leinster attempt to seal a spot in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.

The arc is undeniably rising for Leo Cullen and his squad after the head coach’s difficult first season in charge last time around, what with the province nestled in tightly behind Ospreys and Munster in the Guinness PRO12 and perched on the summit of Pool 4 in Europe.

Stuart Lancaster has added experience and talent to a young coaching roster, a slew of greenhorns have prospered on promotion to the senior ranks and recent form — an understrength side’s loss in Limerick aside — has been more than encouraging.