LEO HOPING HIS ACES COME UP TRUMPS AT THE REC
Bath v Leinster Today 1pm
LEO CULLEN is backing centre stars Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw to scale further heights as a partnership.
Henshaw makes a timely return to the Leinster line-up for their final pool game this lunchtime as the province look to confirm their place in the last 16.
The 28-year-old was recently named Rugby Writers Ireland player of the year – succeeding Ringrose, 26, in winning the award.
And, with Andy Farrell reaping the benefit of real depth in the centre position, the onus is on the Leinster pair showing why they should remain foremost in his thoughts with the Six Nations just a fortnight away. “They work incredibly well together,” said Cullen (inset). “It’s not by accident either. They do a lot of work together off the field, making sure that they are crystal clear on the different scenarios that they are going to face in the game.
“They put a huge amount of work in on their relationship. That’s an important aspect for lots of our sub-units in the team who are spending that time together.
“It definitely does give coaches a certain level of comfort, whether that’s here or with Ireland. I know they are two key guys from a leadership point of view in both camps as well.
“They have a ton of experience now as well but they are still only really coming into their prime as players.
“Hopefully they will kick on together over the next couple of seasons and we will see lots of big performances from them.
“Away from home, I think Robbie just brings that bit of physical presence. He’s delivered on the highest stage and it’s amazing for us to have a player coming in like that fresh for us. He is looking for a big performance which will obviously hopefully lead into the Six Nations as well. That’s what a lot of guys are looking for, to get good decent form now because we are down to the serious stuff now.
“Last round of Europe which leads into that Six Nations window, European seedings and all the rest, so it’s for us trying to deliver on a big 80-minute performance this week.”
Cullen is still annoyed by EPCR’S decision to award Montpellier a walkover from their round two fixture before Christmas.
But Leinster at least hit back with a record-breaking 89-7 victory over the French side at the RDS last Sunday and are expected to coast through at The Rec against a side they easily brushed aside at Aviva Stadium five weeks ago.
Deprived of Tadhg Furlong, James Lowe and James Ryan today, Cullen also welcomes back skipper Johnny Sexton, who makes his first start since Ireland’s win over the All Blacks.
He added: “It’s a good challenge again. Guys are keen to get away and put in a big performance.”