Cullen shows no mercy as Leinster hope for Gardens party

UNBEATEN this season, Leinster believe they have yet to find top gear. They might have to get there over the course of the next seven days.

If they do, and get the better of an in-form Northampton Saints team, they’ll be well on their way to the quarter-final and a good seeding for the draw.

Northampton is a familiar, largely happy hunting ground for the fourtime champions and with few injury issues to consider they make the trip in good fettle.

However, the Blues are acutely aware that their opponents are an improving outfit under the guiding hand of their highly rated Kiwi coach Chris Boyd, who led the Hurricanes to Super Rugby titles earlier this decade.

Having overcome Benetton and Lyon, these back-to-back games are the key to winning Pool 1 for Leinster and despite the winning streak Cullen has not been afraid to change things up.

Out go Tadhg Furlong, Rob Kearney, Scott Fardy and Luke McGrath, with Max Deegan also making way for Caelan Doris.

Andrew Porter gets a reward for his barnstorming form, Jordan Larmour returns to full-back and Jamison Gibson-Park partners captain Johnny Sexton. Devin Toner starts alongside James Ryan.

If they click, Saints will struggle to live with Leinster but the English side have an exciting back-line capable of finding holes.

Leinster’s pack strength may just see them through.

Verdict: Leinster

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS – A Tuala; T Collins, M Proctor, R Hutchinson, T Naiyaravoro; D Biggar, C Reinach; A Waller (Capt), M Haywood, E Painter; A Moon, A Ratuniyarawa; T Wood, JGibson, T Harrison. Reps: M van Vuuren, F van Wyk, P Hill, A Coles, L Ludlam, C Tupai, J Grayson, P Francis.

LEINSTER – J Larmour; D Kearney, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J Lowe; J Sexton (capt), J Gibson-Park; C Healy, R Kelleher, A Porter; D Toner, J Ryan; R Ruddock, J van der Flier, C Doris.

Reps: J Tracy, E Byrne, T Furlong, S Fardy, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Byrne, R Kearney.

REF – A Ruiz (France)