THE ROAD TO RUAN

Top 10s out but Cullen tells Blues to beware former Ulster talisman Pienaar

Leinster v Montpellier Pool 3, RDS, KO 1pm (Live on Sky)

JOHNNY SEXTON and Aaron Cruden are absent from the RDS this afternoon – but Leinster are hugely wary of Ruan Pienaar’s return after his summer move to Montpellier.

It’s well documented how Pienaar wanted to extend his Ulster stay beyond seven years but IRFU bosses wanted to develop a pathway for promising young half-backs in the province and the Springbok star was released.

With Cruden (above right) missing tonight’s opening clash in a Champions Cup group of death that also includes Premiership champs Exeter and Glasgow, arguably the PRO14’S most in-form side, the onus is on Pienaar to drive Vern Cotter’s side on the Ballsbridge track he knows so well.

“He’s a class act,” declared Leinster boss Leo Cullen (inset). “What else can you say? He’s such a quality player, he makes smart decisions all the time, he’s in the thick of everything, a really, really good player. We thought we’d seen the back of him but we haven’t.”

The fear for the Blues is that Pienaar, 33, could believe he has a point to prove. And if he’s firing then this star-studded Montpellier outfit will prove a tougher nut to crack than when the sides met last year.

Cullen believes they’ve improved a lot from then, but also that the pressure is on Cotter to deliver the goods sooner rather than later. “When you have that much quality and experience, it’s just a question of whether you can get it together,” said Cullen.

“They’re not buying or bringing young players in, they’re bringing guys who have done the business around the place and have international experience.

“There’ll be a strong expectation on Vern to deliver success very, very quickly. There was a strong expectation on Jake White as well, he didn’t quite deliver it and Jake is now not there anymore.”

Cullen believes the availability of Bismark du Plessis, who missed last year’s game through injury, is a massive boost to the visitors.

By contrast, Leinster find themselves without a talismanic back row of their own in Sean O’brien. The loss of another Lion in Sexton (above left) hands Ross Byrne his chance and Isa Nacewa returns at captain – but at inside centre, not at full-back.

Cullen is hopeful Sexton, who suffered a dead leg against Munster – O’brien and Rory O’loughlin will return for the Glasgow trip next week.

But he admitted: “If guys are banged up, we’re not going to put them at unnecessary risk.”

As for Byrne,

Cullen is backing his young outhalf to fill Sexton’s boots.

“He’s built up a lot of experience, even this year he’s been involved in all our games and started the first four. He’s been comfortable running the team,” he remarked. “It’s important we invest that time in players. It is another big step for Ross but he’s very ambitious himself.”