Cullen excited about new season

Leinster captain Leo Cullen has learned to treasure this part of the season as he moves inevitably towards the end of a magnificent career.

"The first weekend of matches is always an exciting time and the older you get, the more excited you become around this time of year," said Cullen, speaking ahead of Leinster's Magners League opener against The Scarlets tomorrow at Parc y Scarlets.

"You work hard in pre-season to get the chance to play and it's the start of a busy period for us as we're away from home three games out of the first four."

"I was amongst the first group who were back after the summer break and over the following weeks we welcomed back those players who were involved with the Churchill Cup and then the Lions," Cullen added.

"It will all come together over the next three or four weeks and I know how eager the players are to get back playing".

Cullen has been taken with the quality of signings made by coach Michael Cheika: "The new additions to the squad are settling in well. Shaun Berne is a very experienced player and is a good leader on the field, with a calm head. Mike (Ross) is a very strong guy and has done brilliantly over the last few seasons over in the Premiership.

"After getting his first Ireland cap earlier in the summer he'll have aspirations to do well with Leinster and push on into the Ireland reckoning. Nathan (Hines) and Redser (Eoin Reddan) haven't played yet, but they're hugely experienced and I'm sure that both will make a big impact, along with Richardt Strauss, over the coming months.

"Our form in the earlier rounds last year wasn't as consistent as we would have liked and it ultimately cost us. We're determined to push on and the Scarlets will be dangerous opponents. They're a great club with great traditions and we know that we will need to face up to the passion and skill levels that they will bring to the game.

"We were lucky to win both of our games against them last year, but this is a fresh start and we're expecting another tough test."