Cullen keen to build on Leinster's strong start

The eastern province over-powered Harlequins in D4 on Saturday.

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025 - 07:59

Daire Walsh, Aviva Stadium

INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP POOL THREE Leinster 45 Harlequins 28

Leo Cullen has identified a couple of key areas that he will require attention as Leinster aim to build on their bonus-point win over Harlequins in the Investec Champions Cup at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Despite facing a ‘Quins side that were missing 15 players through a combination of injury and mandatory rest periods, the eastern province were put to the test before eventually kick-starting their pool stage campaign with a 17-point victory. Despite registering seven tries at Irish Rugby HQ, Cullen felt there was an over eagerness at times from his troops when the opposition whitewash was in sight.

The Leinster head coach also believes there are elements of their work around the breakdown that needs to be focused on ahead of their latest European pool encounter against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road this Friday.

“Some of those cheap turnovers around the breakdown. That's probably the big thing, and when we get close to the try line, we're over eager to get to the try line as quick as possible. Whereas sometimes we're taking passes right on the line and we're getting hit, man and ball,” Cullen remarked after Saturday’s game.

“Considering the conditions were quite greasy, it's just that bit of composure close to the try line, but it's also some of our work around the breakdown. Probably those are the big two ones. That's how you score points, ultimately.

“It's just making sure that we have a bit of composure within there as well and a bit more accuracy as well in terms of dealing with some of these messy pictures. That's probably the big thing.” Despite opening the scoring when Jordan Larmour crossed over for an early five-pointer, Leinster found themselves in arrears after ‘Quins centre Luke Northmore clinically bagged a converted try on 12 minutes.

Yet Leinster regained the initiative when Garry Ringrose touched down off a subsequent attack and following a sublime crossfield delivery by Sam Prendergast off the outside of his right boot, player of the match Larmour was in for his second try in the 25th minute.

While Leinster were missing some key figures themselves (Andrew Porter, James Lowe and Robbie Henshaw were all dealing with injuries earlier in the week), ‘Quins were without Marcus Smith, Fin Baxter, Chandler Cunningham-South and Jack Kenningham owing to the aforementioned mandatory rest periods for English internationals.

Nevertheless, those who took to the field in Ballsbridge on Saturday gave a good account of themselves and the visitors claimed a second try on 34 minutes when Cassius Cleaves combined to good effect with Northmore before sprinting over the line.

An opportunistic finish by Ciaran Frawley off a line-out overthrow propelled Leinster towards a 24-14 interval buffer, but the Blues suffered a double blow in the 51st minute as a deliberate knock on from Jimmy O’Brien led to a yellow card for the full-back and the concession of a penalty try.

However, ‘Quins also lost Jarrod Evans to the sin bin prior to O’Brien’s re-emergence to the field of play and it was during this juncture that Leinster effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt. In the space of just eight minutes, Tommy O’Brien, Jack Conan and the returning Jimmy O’Brien all dotted down for converted scores to leave Leinster 24 points clear.

This was somewhat harsh on ‘Quins following a commendable effort in the opening hour, but they managed to come away with a try bonus after Oscar Beard conjured a breakaway score in the closing moments of the game.

In addition to including 13 players who featured for Ireland in the recent Quilter Nations Series in his match day squad, Cullen was able to give a 20 minute run-out to New Zealand international Rieko Ioane on what was his debut appearance for the province.

Ioane first arrived at Leinster’s training base last Wednesday week and team captain Caelan Doris has been impressed with what he has seen from the All Black thus far.

“It has been great. We've been around him this week and it's tricky coming in for a player. In a big week, especially. There's so much terminology to get your head around, different systems. There's a lot of new information going at him, so the way he handled that was very good,” Doris said.

“The likes of Garry and some of the backs got around him well and helped him with that. It's good having him, obviously. Different personality, brings something different to the group. He has fit in well so far, so excited to see more from him.”

Scorers for Leinster: Tries: J Larmour 2, G Ringrose, C Frawley, T O’Brien, J Conan, J O’Brien Cons: S Prendergast 2, H Byrne 3

Scorers for Harlequins: Tries: L Northmore, C Cleaves, Pen Try, O Beard Cons: J Evans 2, J Benson, Pen Try

LEINSTER: J O’Brien; T O’Brien, G Ringrose (R Ioane 60), C Frawley, J Larmour; S Prendergast (H Byrne 58), J Gibson-Park (L McGrath 58); P McCarthy (J Boyle 50), D Sheehan (R Kelleher 50), T Clarkson (T Furlong 50); RG Snyman (D Mangan 18), J McCarthy; J Conan (M Deegan 71), J van der Flier, C Doris.

HARLEQUINS: C Anderson; C Cleaves, O Beard, L Northmore (B Bradley 62), C Murley; J Evans (J Benson 71), W Porter (L Friday 51); B Wenger (W Hobson 62), J Walker (G Turner 58), H Williams (P Delgado 22); K Treadwell (J Launchbury 51), S Lewies; S Carr, W Evans, T Lawday (L Schmid 58).

Referee: C Evans (WRU).