Leo Cullen: "We always feel like we have a point to prove"
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen. File picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Leinster captain Jack Conan has warned that Saturday’s return to form against Glasgow will be worthless if the province can’t back it up by producing the goods in next week’s BKT URC final in Croke Park.
Leo Cullen’s men produced a statement, six-try performance in overcoming the reigning champions 37-19 at the Aviva Stadium having failed to impress in their last two outings and lost a Champions Cup semi-final to Northampton Saints last month.
“Even though it was good today it was disappointing to concede those two ties close to the end and there’s lots of things we want to get better at,” said Conan.
“It will all count for nothing if we don’t go on and win again and show that level of dominance that we did today. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, we know it is going to be a tough task next week.” Head coach Cullen was equally calm about this semi-final display and it’s evident worth but there is no denying that, while far from perfect, it represented a massive improvement on their efforts of late and it should dispel the gloom that had taken hold around the club.
“We always knew we had it in us,” said Conan. “It has obviously been a trying few weeks and a bit of disappointment and we said we want to go out there and be our best. We prepped well all week and the message from the coaches and players was spot on.
“When you play a team you play quite frequently, and that gives it back to you in spades, there is that motivation to do your best. We spoke just about being physical and dominant and we were for the majority and that is really pleasing.
“We’ll use this as another stepping stone for next week.” Leinster’s media team had posted a tweet on Friday showing numerous newspaper headlines that highlighted their struggles and Joe McCarthy told RTÉ after the game that “everyone hates Leinster and it drives us on”.
Cullen has never been one to engage with social media, but he was asked if the team felt they had something to prove against the Scots given the debate that has swirled about them at the back end of this season.
“We always feel like we have a point to prove. Certainly I do anyway. Because that’s just the nature of the job I’m in and the team are in a pretty similar situation so listen we would love to go out and win every week.
“What have we played this season now? Eighteen regular season games and two knockout games, four pool Champions Cup games and three knockouts. What’s that, 27 games, next week we get to play a 28th. A perfect season you get to play 29.
“We will get to play 28, we have lost three. Every week you play you feel like you have a point to prove. I don’t think it’s hugely different, to be honest.” Their reward is that final in seven day’s time against the winner of the other semi-final between the Bulls and the Sharks at GAA HQ. Leinster haven’t won a league title since 2021 and have never even been to a final since it morphed from PRO14 to URC.
Next week is big for them.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Cullen. “I find I am pinching myself when I am in South Africa in those stadiums which as a kid watching rugby you… Personally I have so much respect for those teams. We lost the semi-final in Loftus last year and it’s not a great place to end a season.
“There is joy for us in the fact that we have another week together. There are some great characters in the group that have been around a long, long time and have been great servants for the club.
“It’s making sure we have a great week now and get excited about putting on another performance, showing what it means to play for Leinster and to represent the province.”
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