'He's used to it' but Leo Cullen shouldn't be blamed for Leinster's Europe failures says Josh van der Flier

KIT'S A HIT: Canterbury has unveiled Ireland’s new 2026/27 Kit in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Josh van der Flier admits he has sympathy for Leo Cullen, who has shouldered a lot of criticism in the wake of Leinster's five Champions Cup final defeats since their last success in 2018.

That victory took place in Bilbao and, by the time Leinster had lost their most recent final in the same city in May, Cullen had informed the Leinster hierarchy that he would step down at the end of his 12th year as head coach after the 2026-27 season.

For van der Flier, who was just starting primary school when Cullen made his debut for the province against Connacht in October 1998, the departure feels strange.

“It’s mad," said the 33-year-old. "I was probably like five when he first got involved in Leinster. I’ve only known Leinster with him there as long as I’ve been there, obviously. So yeah, he would be missed.” 

Cullen took him aside as last season was coming to a close with a second successive URC final success to inform him that he would be giving it one more year. In reply, van der Flier told him that his players wanted to make it a successful final campaign for him to go out on.

“Not that we don’t give our best all the time, but make it a good year for him, because he’s obviously been such a servant to Leinster," elaborated van der Flier. "He’s done unbelievable things this time here, playing and coaching. So hopefully make it a good year.

“I think the goals are always pretty similar year to year, but there’s definitely added motivation. Obviously everyone has their own motivation, but then it adds to it for sure.”

Speaking at the launch of Ireland's new home jersey in Dublin, van der Flier feels that his fellow Wicklow man has been unfairly singled out for Leinster's inability to get over the line in Europe.

"I spoke to him a bit about it before, he doesn't mind it at all," the experienced flanker confided. "He's used to it.

“I’ve talked to a few coaches about it. I’ve played in a lot of those finals, games, semi-finals, whatever. You lose them. You had a part in it. You tried your best.

“He’s probably prepared the team as well as he thinks (he can). A drop goal goes over or doesn’t go over, someone drops the ball over the line and he’s the one to blame - he’s on the pitch.”

Cullen, he says, has always been prepared to absorb that pressure.

“In fairness to him, it must be a hard thing to do," van der Vlier acknowledged. "But he’s always willing to put his hand up. Even if it wasn’t anything to do with him, he’s always happy to take on the pressure that way."

In attendance at the launch at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Dublin are, from left, Jimmy O'Brien, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Linda Djougang, Tommy O'Brien, Stacey Flood and Josh van der Flier. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.

Van der Flier was one of five first-time starters in Europe selected by Cullen for the trip to Bath in January 2016, a fraught enough period for the new head coach after the province failed to reach the knock-out stages. Leinster won 25-11 and the game was a launch pad for van der Flier and Garry Ringrose.

"He's made a lot of brave calls as well," said the former. "A lot of times he probably could have done it himself but he's brought other coaches in who have maybe taken over and done a lot more of the rugby side of things.

"He's facilitated it very well, if you know what I mean. He probably knew where his strengths lie. He's done well. But we still have a year left."

The 2027 World Cup is also looming and van der Flier hopes to make a third World Cup appearance, but is determined not to allow thoughts of Australia to overshadow the season ahead.

“It’s definitely a major motivator, because everyone wants to play in the World Cups," he said. "And it’s one of those things you look forward to once the last one ends. You’re like, ‘I can’t wait for the next one’ kind of thing.

“So definitely in the back of the mind. But I try not to think about it.”

His ambition ahead of every season is to improve his own game.

“Last week I just went through each area of the game and what I wanted to work on specifically. And then I’ll have a chat with a couple of the coaches as well, just see if there’s anything specifically to work on," he explained.

“I’d always try to do that. It gets you excited for the year as well, things you can improve on, and the World Cup is an added motivation at the end of it."