LEINSTER BOSS LEO Cullen hailed his team’s composure and the impact of Ross Byrne after they overturned an early 14-point deficit away to defending champions Exeter to advance into the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals.
Leinster’s poor start was similar to a damaging opening quarter against Saracens in last season’s quarter-final defeat but they battled back against Exeter to deservedly win 34-22 in what was one of the province’s greatest European performances.
Cullen’s side lost captain Johnny Sexton to a head injury in the 28th minute but replacement out-half Byrne had a brilliant impact off the bench.
“We’re really pleased because it was a very shaky start which reminded us of the last quarter-final of this competition that we played in where we also had a very shaky start,” said Cullen post-match.
“But I thought the prep during the week was good from the players. They knew the enormity of the challenge it was coming over here.
“The players showed really good composure and I thought the bench added through the course of the game as well, which is important, so overall a great squad effort to get through. We’ll sit back and enjoy the games tomorrow and see who we face next, which is great.”
Leinster will learn their semi-final opposition and venue tomorrow evening when EPCR carry out a live draw following the two other quarter-final games. Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle also advanced into the draw today.
The impact of Byrne off the Leinster bench in place of Sexton was crucial in Exeter and Cullen hailed the Ireland international.
“I thought it was a great credit to Ross when he comes in and is so composed the whole time, nailed his kicks, and steered is around the field,” said Cullen. “We’re lucky with the two of them, we really are, because they’re great generals for the group.
“They have dovetailed pretty well over the course of the week. Obviously, it’s tough for Johnny coming off the way he did but I thought Ross was excellent when he came on.
“Ross has been outstanding for us and we’re really lucky with the age profile of the guys as well, with Harry [Byrne] putting on pressure from behind so they’re all equally important.”
Sexton will go into the graduated return-to-play protocols and Cullen said the 35-year-old was feeling “OK” after his head injury. The Ireland skipper missed a game during the recent Six Nations after suffering a head injury against Wales.
Leinster have sat James Ryan and Caelan Doris out of the game in recent times due to concussion issues and Cullen said the province, who don’t have a game next weekend, will take the utmost care with Sexton too.
“The biggest thing is we’re trying to take care of all the guys,” said Cullen. “Caelan and James are pretty close to a return now so Johnny, again, is similar to all the guys – we just have to make sure we look after them in the right manner.
“Just in terms of graduated return-to-play, we just need to see how he comes through and, again, the medics will make the calls there and make sure all our guys are being seen by the right people.
“That’s the most important piece because we want the guys playing for a long, long time at the club so we will always be cautious with our decision-making in that area.”
Liverpool are done. Milner, Henderson and Firmino are too old. Mane and Wijnaldum, two of their most consistent players, allowed to leave. Their replacements Thiago and Keith spend more time on the bench than on the pitch. Van Dijk is a good centre halve but his poor form is highlighting the lack of a decent partner for him. As for Salah? He looks like he has one eye on a move out of Anfield. Klopp will need a miracle to turn things around there.
@John Fagan: and the whole squad is burned out as a side affect of klopps high intensity style , same thing happened at dortmund.
@John Fagan: yeah the new guy Keith is really struggling in Manes old position. Good take.
@John Fagan: Didn’t Salah just sign a new contract at Liverpool over the summer? “Too old” Firmino who scored a brace and 3 assists just two weeks ago? Van Dijk’s main CB partner, Matip, is just back from injury. Mane wanted to leave but they signed Diaz who has been pretty prolific so far and Nunez so I’m not sure things are as bleak as you’re saying – and I’m not a Liverpool fan even
@John Fagan: we’ll see come the end of the season just how ‘done’ we are.
@Cathal Jenkinson: first of all Firminos brace and assists were against Bournemouth in a 9-0 hammering. Salah will come good, he’s too good of a player not too. In relation to VVD again he has, for some obvious and some less obvious reasons, been poor but should improve. It’s Midfield and using the high line where pool struggle. Thiago and Keita are injury prone and Henderson getting on. I think they’ll still get too 4 and get out of the group in the CL but that’s about it.
@Damien Leen: indeed we will
@John Fagan: as they where done 2 years ago. It’s great insights you find from opposing supporters.
@Gareth Keenan: Very harsh on Keith.
@Getard Lanslanger: I thought so too!
There’s no doubt Liverpool will bounce back. But the bar they set for themselves was incredible. It was almost 110% in 9 games out of 10. They’ll come back again but can’t see them getting close to city this year. Genuinely think there’s a good race on for 2nd across all the rest. Liverpool favourites but other teams now raising the bar themselves at the right time.
Liverpool s problems were evident long before Napoli game , and if you keep persisting doing the same thing and look for better then it’s called delusion . Keita is injured and all of a sudden he is fit for his country , something in the off field department needs sorting first imo .The high line is great if your mid field first does it’s job and I will include firmino in that department because he drops to bolster it , and the space that this leaves when people don’t work is obvious to all .
Always thought a manager’s job(generic, not just football) was to understand the scope, scale and changing nature of the environment within which they operate and adjust appropriately BEFORE the sh!t hits the fan.
Only a verbal agreement for potter at Chelsea , time to klippity klop down the road to london!!