Irish rugby star Johnny Sexton on Leo Cullen: “Leinster landed a top boss”
- BY DAIRE WALSH
Returning Leinster out-half Jonathan Sexton is delighted Leo Cullen has been made the new permanent head coach of the province.
Returning Leinster out-half Jonathan Sexton is delighted Leo Cullen has been made the new permanent head coach of the province.
Following months of speculation, the former Blues captain was finally confirmed in the position yesterday on a two-year deal and Sexton feels it is an ideal appointment.
“Yeah it’s great, it’s been rumoured for a few weeks now,” said Sexton in Aer Lingus’ Shamrock House yesterday.
“They were just trying to sort out the details.
It’s great news for the province to have somebody who knows the place so well in charge and knows what’s expected and the standards that are needed to compete at the highest level and to play to the standard Leinster fans expect.
“That’s where we want to get back to and I think he’s the right man.
The other guys who he’s brought in with him – I know they are familiar faces.
“A bit of freshness as well with Kurt [McQuilkin] coming back after a break and John Fogarty as well and then the backs is Girvan [Dempsey] for the time being and we’ll see how that goes, so it’s good.”
Having spent the past two seasons plying his trade with Racing Metro in France’s Top 14, Sexton doesn’t have first-hand experience of what Cullen can offer as a coach.
However, after playing alongside the Wicklow man on several occasions during his first spell with the province, he is fully aware of the qualities that he can bring to the group.
“Just the honesty. As a player, that’s what you want from your coach,” added Sexton.
“Sometimes it’s hard to take, but you want someone who gives it to you straight-up and leaves you not in two minds.
“I’ve had coaches before where they tell you you’re doing great, but then drop you in the very same conversation and you’re left wondering.
“I’d rather a coach just said to me ‘this is how it is, this is what you need to improve on.’ If you go and do it, you are going to be picked.
“I think he’ll bring that to the environment.
“Discipline would be an important thing. Already I can see around the place, it’s such a big thing and it’s so important in an environment. He’s a clever guy.
“Combine all those things and, having worked with Joe, he is very similar to Joe in that regard.”
Yet, given he has only worked for one year as a forwards coach since his retirement in May of last year, it is still a significant gamble on the part of Leinster and the IRFU to give him such a high-profile role.
However, Sexton is adamant that Cullen has the right attributes to be a success.
“Special people do special things and he’s been an outstanding leader for Leinster.
“He was always the voice that people went to in the set-up, when I was there anyway.
“I don’t know how the last two years have gone down.
“I haven’t really gotten into it with the guys too much but it was always Joe’s voice first and foremost when I was there and then not too far behind was Leo’s and at times Leo was able to tell Joe how he saw things and Joe took it on board,” Sexton added.