LEO CULLEN WAS brimming as Leinster set up a Guinness Pro12 semi-final meeting with Ulster, a game the head coach expects to have Johnny Sexton available for.
The out-half was withdrawn seven minutes into the second-half of this afternoon’s eight-try rout of Treviso after a heavy hit left him requiring treatment to his head/neck area.
He also sat with an ice-pack on his quad as he watched the remainder of the game and Cullen later confirmed Sexton had taken a small knock.
The decision to substitute him was described as ‘precautionary’ and Cullen expects to have Sexton at his disposal for the last four clash with Ulster in a fortnight.
But the news wasn’t as positive on Rob Kearney, who hobbled off before half-time at the RDS.
The full-back was withdrawn after just 24 minutes due to an ankle injury and will be assessed in the next few days.
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“We’re getting Rob assessed,” Cullen said. “He just went over on his ankle, he tried to run it off but it wasn’t getting any better, so we made the call to take him off pretty early.”
Cullen also provided an injury update on Mick Kearney.
“Mick has had a bit of an issue with his shoulder, he’s not too bad just the way the maul collapsed on him but again we’ll get him assessed.”
The eastern province showed no mercy as they ran in five second-half tries to record an emphatic 50-19 scoreline
“We started pretty well,” Cullen smiled. “We showed some good intent even though the ball was quiet creasy.
Garry Ringrose scored one of Leinster's eight tries. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“We created a couple of good chances off a couple of those drives it was quiet pleasing to be watching it.”
In his debut season in charge, Cullen has guided Leinster to the play-offs and will hope to guide the club to a first piece of silverware in two years.
“There’s always a lot of ups and downs to get to this point,” he continued.
“We’re pleased to finish where we have, but it doesn’t actually count unless you maximise the advantage you have.
“It’s fantastic for our own fans and the people who have stood by the team all year, that they get to watch us in the semi-final this year in the RDS.”
“We’ll regroup now and there’s the awards dinner tonight and we can pay tribute to certain players who will be moving on.
“Then we can get ready for a huge game in the semi-final. Ulster are hitting some really good form so it will be a really big challenge.”
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Cullen expects to have Sexton available for semi-final showdown with Ulster
LEO CULLEN WAS brimming as Leinster set up a Guinness Pro12 semi-final meeting with Ulster, a game the head coach expects to have Johnny Sexton available for.
The out-half was withdrawn seven minutes into the second-half of this afternoon’s eight-try rout of Treviso after a heavy hit left him requiring treatment to his head/neck area.
He also sat with an ice-pack on his quad as he watched the remainder of the game and Cullen later confirmed Sexton had taken a small knock.
The decision to substitute him was described as ‘precautionary’ and Cullen expects to have Sexton at his disposal for the last four clash with Ulster in a fortnight.
But the news wasn’t as positive on Rob Kearney, who hobbled off before half-time at the RDS.
The full-back was withdrawn after just 24 minutes due to an ankle injury and will be assessed in the next few days.
“We’re getting Rob assessed,” Cullen said. “He just went over on his ankle, he tried to run it off but it wasn’t getting any better, so we made the call to take him off pretty early.”
Cullen also provided an injury update on Mick Kearney.
The eastern province showed no mercy as they ran in five second-half tries to record an emphatic 50-19 scoreline
“We started pretty well,” Cullen smiled. “We showed some good intent even though the ball was quiet creasy.
“We created a couple of good chances off a couple of those drives it was quiet pleasing to be watching it.”
In his debut season in charge, Cullen has guided Leinster to the play-offs and will hope to guide the club to a first piece of silverware in two years.
“There’s always a lot of ups and downs to get to this point,” he continued.
“It’s fantastic for our own fans and the people who have stood by the team all year, that they get to watch us in the semi-final this year in the RDS.”
“We’ll regroup now and there’s the awards dinner tonight and we can pay tribute to certain players who will be moving on.
“Then we can get ready for a huge game in the semi-final. Ulster are hitting some really good form so it will be a really big challenge.”
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Guinness PRO12 Leinster Leo Cullen Reaction