Leo Cullen tackles tough questions on physical toll

Awe-inspiring bravery or wince-inducing punishment? That depends on who you talk to, but the physical toll experienced by the Leinster and Exeter Chiefs players after two combative Champions Cup encounters inside a week was painfully plain to see at the Aviva Stadium.

Jonathan Sexton, Ross Byrne and Sean Cronin all paid the price for putting bodies on the line, the first of them failing a head injury assessment (HIA), his replacement passing one after a clash of heads and the last of the trio losing a tooth late in the afternoon.

It was an obvious talking point afterwards, but Leinster coach Leo Cullen sensed some ulterior motives in what was a straightforward line of questioning after confirming that Sexton had failed his HIA and Byrne had passed his.