Leo Cullen takes positives from defeat as attention quickly turns to La Rochelle

'We know it’s going to be a great challenge. They’re in great form. You saw in their game against Sale how dangerous they are'

Leinster's Scott Penny dejected after the Rainbow Cup defeat to Munster. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Leo Cullen must have known the risks he was taking in choosing an under-strength side to face Munster in Saturday’s Rainbow Cup opener but if Leinster leave La Rochelle this Sunday having secured a place in the Heineken Champions Cup final, it will have been a worthwhile exercise.

Even a squad with as much depth as Leinster possess can only fight so many battles successfully and with his team selection to face Munster, Cullen clearly prioritised Europe over the end of season “mishmash” that Sam Warburton last week declared the Rainbow Cup to be.