Leo Cullen insists Leinster were free to start Jordie Barrett for semi-final

The All Blacks star has been named at No 23 for the game with Northampton Saints. 

LAST FOUR: Head coach Leo Cullen with Caelan Doris during a Leinster Rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium on Friday. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Leo Cullen has declared that he was free to start All Black superstar Jordie Barrett in Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints at the Aviva Stadium had he wanted to.

The world-class Kiwi will wear the No.23 jersey for the game in Ballsbridge, which is notable given who he is and the performances he has put in since joining the province on a short-term contract last December.