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Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration
By Ian Cameron at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen concedes that he “understands” the frustration with his coaching regime a week on from his side’s exit from the Investec Champions Cup at the hands of Northampton Saints.
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Leinster’s 76-5 URC dismantling of Zebre at the Aviva Stadium certainly restored some order on the scoreboard.
With nine of their 2025 Lions involved, the men in blue produced a dominant response to their European exit as they ran in 12 tries against the Italian outfit. Ronan Kelleher, Luke McGrath, Ryan Baird, Jordie Barrett (2), James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Osborne (2), Ciaran Frawley, and James Culhane all crossed for the home side. Gonzalo Garcia grabbed a late consolation for Zebre, but the 71-point margin set a new URC record.
Despite the display, much of the post-match press conference was centred around a rough week for the Irish province behind the scenes. Indeed, it was a week in which Cullen faced unprecedented flak, both in the press and from angry Leinster fans.
Criticism came not just because of the result, but for his team selection and for the growing sense that a squad stacked with internationals had once again come up short when it truly mattered. Cullen has steered Leinster to three successive Champions Cup final losses, yet the intensity of scrutiny directed at the 47-year-old following their latest disappointment went far further this time round.
“It’s part of the job. I understand there’s frustration there. Absolutely. Completely 100 per cent understand,” said Cullen after the game.
“There’s expectation on this team, which is great, which has built up over a period of time.
“Listen, I’ve said this here before, I’ve so much internal pressure that I would deliver what’s best for the team, so nothing has changed in that regard.
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“If a result goes well, if a result goes badly, I don’t think I change my stance greatly, sitting in this chair.
“It’s part and parcel of the job. I understand it 100 per cent. It’s just making sure we do what’s best for the group and continue to push forward. In these times, that’s real leadership, and we see that character in the group and we all need to display that, and I need to set the standard in displaying that.”
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We all drank the Gatorade, chum.
How’d your team go at the weekend?
Pretty sure it was you that first dragged the discussion into that particular gutter…
Almost Freudian. Never rugby.
I’m sure red would be only too pleased to lend you a hand with that small problem and you’d both be delighted with a happy ending, provided ofc that suggestion wouldn’t be too difficult for red to swallow…
Indeed. As grimly predictable as ‘morning glory.’
When you live by the sword red…
Any top tier coach with these squads and resources would be questioned even if they had a handful of major trophies.
He's been around close to a decade with heir last big one in 2018. Not a single meaningful trophy in their last 4 seasons is embarrassing.
That those loses have all been single figures and hung on some individual errors, only reflects on him. He can't coach it out of them. Not up to it.
Dublin 4 is a closed shop and at this rate they may not even keep Nienaber interested.
Pumping Zebre by 70 does not a season make.
Ah sure the team on the weekend have now been properly tested, so it’s all good. Now, when is that CC semi again…
Ps did you win enough this weekend to get laid again???
The point is the ‘Team are not pushing forward’. The team are better in absolute terms but the tactical coaching is poor. If Leinster are not being challenged and weaknesses exposed in matches then that has to be done in the training ground.
That said individual players must take flak. A lot of ire was directed at Snyman, but McCarthy must take flak too. That said what on earth was Keenan doing attempting to rush against Freeman (first try) and Ramm last try. Both times he was caught in no mans land leaving a field of green behind him. For the first try he just needs to hold his ground a little to cover the kick. An overlap was not on. Keenan would have easily reached Freeman, but rishing up made the grubber 100% on.
The Ramm one was equally bizarre. Now NH had caught Leinster short, but they have alot of work to do if Keenan holds his ground. Again he rushed up meaning one pass to Ramm makes the try.
Some players can be rested for 3 weeks, some get rusty. Keenan is one of the latter. But he must do better. All Leinster needed was one of those tries to be averted. Just one.
Bang on.
Conan looks to the sidelines at 79 mins to see what to do. Sticks or tap it?! Advice welcome.
A 3 PT game about to hit 80 mins with a routine penalty on offer. Any decent coach at the start of the season would explain that in those situations TAKE YOUR KICK.
Non-negotiable. It shouldn't even be a decision to make. Remove the decision making from the process.
It's at the stage where these ‘learning opportunities’ are now becoming mental scars for talented players.
I actually feel bad for big Jordie. He's been treated like dirt.
Hard to test them when they’re rested the week before or left on the bench, don’t you think?