IT IS A PROPER BLOODY BATTLE
Cullen calls up his Six Nations warriors for top of table war
LEINSTER have brought back Six Nations regulars Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Joe Mccarthy and Josh van der Flier to start the top of the table clash with Bulls tonight at the RDS.
And tacked on a just-in-case-bench with Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Caelan Doris (inset) and Jamison Gibson-park among the eight in a five-three split.
There is also a notable opportunity for youngsters Rob Russell on the rightwing, Jamie Osbourne at firstcentre and Michael Milne on the bench – all of whom are on Ireland coach Andy Farrell’s mind with regard to the summer tour to South Africa.
The Bulls, for their part, have shown they have come to Dublin to win.
Jake White has named a side packed with highly-rated Springboks such as Willie Le Roux, Kurt-lee Arendse and Canan Moodie in the backs, Akker van der Merwe, Wilco Louw, Elrigh Louw and former Ulster star Marcell Coetzee in the pack.
“It’s a proper bloody battle isn’t it?” said Cullen looking at the SA team sheet.
“That’s the exciting part for us moving forward, where this competition can get to, in the next couple of years, or certainly the next 10 years, what does that look like, in terms of some of those battles?
“South Africa have been such an amazing addition, you see their derby games, you see the Bulls play Stormers recently in Pretoria and it’s a sold-out crowd in Loftus and, again, Loftus is such an iconic, famous rugby stadium.
“The big thing is capturing the imagination and it sounds like we have a big crowd tonight.”
Cullen is looking forward to gauging his potential breakthrough stars Russell, Osbourne and Milne in this top-of-the-range type of atmosphere.
“Those guys have all done well during this period and it is good to see them rewarded.
“Rob started the game in Zebre last week, scores an unbelievable try through the line and you can see the speed that he has there, we are just pushing Rob all the time to back himself because we think he has a ton of ability.
“Jamie is probably similar, it will be good to see how he goes in that centre partnership with Robbie Henshaw.
“I know he is a young man but he is a big man and he is developing all the time physically. He has got a great skill set as well, a big left boot that is always helpful at different stages, you even saw it last week.
“Mikey has had a frustrating first part of the season but he played his first game back with UCD, scored a great try that day, comes onto the bench for Cardiff, picked up the Man of the Match award off the back of two tries, you would be hopeful he could produce a performance like that tonight.”
Given the unavailability of James Ryan and Garry Ringrose, Luke Mcgrath has been given the captaincy.
“Luke has captained the team on plenty of occasions, it is not long ago he got his 200th cap, against Stade Francais, which was the last home game the group were together as such.
“He is such an absolute warrior for us, so well loved in the organisation and with the group coming back, they are still trying to find their feet so for a bit of continuity it is easier for Luke to step into that role.
“I think it is important to note that Scott Penny has done an excellent job but with different combinations of guys coming back in, we wanted to give Josh a run back in, get Jack in, Ryan Baird and then Caelan is on the bench.”