EXETRA SPECIAL
Magnificent Leinster pick Chiefs’ pocket with a display of true grit
LEO CULLEN hailed Ross Byrne for stepping into Johnny Sexton’s shoes and driving Leinster to a famous victory at fortress Sandy Park.
This win ranks among one of the province’s best in Europe - and that’s saying something given that there have been some major highlights since their first final triumph in 2008.
Thirteen years on, Cullen’s blue machine is attempting to win the competition for a record fifth time.
Yesterday they steamrolled the reigning champions Exeter - after finding themselves 14-0 down after just eight minutes.
O’flaherty ran riot through the Blues’ midfield to score a brace of converted tries and Leinster were on the ropes, rusty after their last 16 clash with Covid-hit Toulon was cancelled last week.
Skipper Sexton steadied the ship and James Lowe hit form again to score a settling opening try in response.
But Sexton had to go off in the 28th minute and Byrne stepped up in impressive fashion.
He made the right decisions, kicked well and played important roles in Jordan Larmour’s two crutom
cial tries that the winger managed to squeeze in at the corner.
“Johnny is OK there, so he’ll go through the graduated return to play,” said Cullen (left) later.
“It was a great credit to Ross when he comes in and is so composed the whole time, nailed his kicks, and steered us around the field. We’re lucky with the two of them because they’re great generals for the group.
“They have dovetailed pretty well over the course of the week as well.
“Obviously, it’s tough for Johnny coming off the way he did but I thought Ross
was excellent when he came on. He’s been outstanding for us and we’re really lucky with the age profile of the guys as well, with Harry (Byrne, Ross’ brother) putting on pressure from behind.”
While Leinster managed to put points on the board when they had to,
the reality is that their exceptional defensive work after that awful opening period that turned the tide.
Josh van der Flier had one of his best ever games, Robbie Henshaw worked like a demon and Ronan Kelleher, like van der Flier, destroyed Exeter at the breakdown. As the game wore on, we looked defensively better, bar probably the start of the second half again, when we had a wobbly moment as well and they go through the middle of us again,” said Cullen. “There’s still plenty of bits to work on. The cohesion of the group will hopefully get better over the course of the rest of the season because we spend that time together for a good long block as well, which is important.”
Cullen hopes to have James Ryan and Caelan Doris back in harness as he describes them as “pretty close” to a return.
Referring to last year’s loss to Saracens, he added: “We’re really pleased because it was a very shaky start which reminded us of the last quarter-final we played in where we also had a very shaky start.
“But the prep during the week was good. Overall a great squad effort to get through.
“We’ll sit back, enjoy the games (today) and see who we face next, which is great.”