Leo Cullen: Ross Byrne ready for 'massive step up' of Champions Cup semi-final

'Ross has played a lot of big games for us already. He's had some pretty important ones for us over the years'

Leinster's Ross Byrne will start at fly-half on Sunday. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

For all the highs and lows this Leinster squad has experienced on their European travels, Sunday's trip to Stade Marcel Deflandre is very much a step into the unknown, and not merely in terms of the opposition.

Leo Cullen may have been to La Rochelle on his holidays before but his side will face the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final debutants for the first time when they lock horns on the Atlantic coast and they will do so with a burden of expectation on the shoulders of fly-half Ross Byrne to deliver at a level he has not previously been required to in his six seasons as understudy to Johnny Sexton.