Irish Daily Mirror

CARBERY’S ON THE FRONT FOOT

Blues boss Cullen pleased with input of Joey who is showing ‘steady improvemen­t’

- BY BILL KIELY

LEINSTER coach Leo Cullen believes Joey Carbery is learning all the time along with all the other young guns who have his side on top of the table.

Last year’s runners-up remain top of the Pro12 after they got the better of Cardiff Blues at the RDS on Saturday. It was anything but comfortabl­e for Cullen’s side who posted tries from Dan Leavy, Luke Mcgrath and Ross Molony on the day. And they trailed late on in the game, but Cullen says these sort of experience will help the younger players in his squad improve their game as time goes on. “They gave us good variety. Joey when he stepped up at 10 later in the game, when there are tired defenders out there he is very good one on one,” said Cullen. “He made a good break, but forced the pass, but they are learnings for these guys, some of them are only 21 years old and fantastic experience for them playing against a team like Cardiff. “Good learning, frustratin­g at times, but we are happy to get the win and the four points.” Cardiff Blues were brilliant in the Dublin sun, and tries from Tomos Williams (two) and Sion Bennett kept them in the game. They played a scintillat­ing brand of counter-attacking rugby all the way through but they couldn’t see the game out when they led 21-17. From Leinster’s point of view, it was a promising ending to the game, ahead of their Champions Cup quarter-final with Wasps. Molony crashed over in the right corner 13 minutes from time and they used all their experience to ease to their 15th win of the season. “I felt we forced things on too many occasions. Cardiff are so dangerous, all of their tries coming off turnovers and they were running them in from big distances,” said Cullen. “It was a frustratin­g game for us, we got ourselves in trouble at 21-17 down but we showed good composure to get back and score a try up in the top corner.” But the fact Leinster were cut open so easily time and again, will be a worry ahead of Europe. Wasps are another side with a cutting edge going forward, and they are likely to try similar tactics against Cullen’s side. But the Leinster coach isn’t fazed and he relishes the challenge of the Premiershi­p giants. “We are making sure guys rest up, we will have a few new fresh bodies coming back into the equation next week,” said Cullen. “We will make some assessment­s on Monday and make some calls on who are the best 15 to take on Wasps. “I am really looking forward to the game. Hopefully we will come to a sellout in the Aviva.”

 ??  ?? QUALITY CONTROL Blues boss Leo Cullen CAR IN OVERDRIVE Joey Carbery has pleased Leinster boss Leo Cullen with some of his displays
QUALITY CONTROL Blues boss Leo Cullen CAR IN OVERDRIVE Joey Carbery has pleased Leinster boss Leo Cullen with some of his displays

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