'Who are the players we could go after? The Barretts. Let's go after all three of them'

"That’s the way it sort of started,” explained Leo Cullen ahead of Saturday’s URC tie at home to Ulster.

Head Coach Leo Cullen during a training session. Pic: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott.

Leo Cullen has explained how all three of New Zealand’s Barrett brothers were among their targets when the idea of signing world-class talent on short-term sabbatical contracts first dawned as a possibility.

Jordie Barrett has proven to be a sensation for the province since arriving after the November Test window. His Kiwi teammate Rieko Ioane will join on a similar deal next December, by which time Barrett will be back in New Zealand.