Leo Cullen: A big part of my job as Leinster boss is to help produce future Ireland stars
- BY DAIRE WALSH
The former Blues captain believes that every young player should aspire to reach the highest level
New Leinster coach Leo Cullen has stressed how vital it is for provincial coaches to prepare their young stars for international rugby.
The former Blues captain – who has been appointed on a two-year contract – worked as forwards coach under Matt O’Connor last season following a trophy-laden playing career, and he believes that every young player should aspire to reach the highest level.
“It is a massive part of the remit of a provincial coach, to ensure there is a steady supply of Irish talent coming through the system,” Cullen said yesterday.
“The national team is something where we want a young guy to walk in here, whether that’s from a school or a club, and he has ambitions to play for Ireland and potentially beyond that as well, with the Lions, for example.
“We would almost question a player who didn’t have those aspirations, because other players should be aspiring to play for Ireland, that are qualified to play for Ireland.”
This opportunity has come Cullen’s way earlier that he may have expected, but due to the belief he has in those alongside him in the Leinster set-up, he felt the offer was too good to refuse.
“I have a lot of faith in the people that are around me. It is a big part of what I have done. It occupies a lot of my thoughts every day of my life.
“I am not going to dwell too much now that I’ve committed to doing it. Of course I went through that process, particularly with my family. I understand that it affects them as well and that is probably my biggest consideration taking on the role.”
Owing to the success Leinster have enjoyed in recent years, the expectations supporters have for the team are extremely high.
As a result, there was a level of frustration with the way the team performed last term, but in referencing the silverware they have secured in recent seasons, Cullen isn’t prepared to temper these expectations.
“I want, we want, to be ambitious. And if we’re an ambitious club, we want fans that come out and support an ambitious club.
“If you look back at the recent history with Leinster – in 2008, they win the Magners League at the time. In 2009, win a European trophy. 2010, we lose in the semi-final of Europe and lose in the final of the PRO12.
“2011, win in Europe again, lose in the final of the PRO12. 2012, same again; win in Europe, lose in the final of the PRO12. 2013, win the Amlin trophy and winning the PRO12. 2014, win the PRO12.
“Last year we didn’t win silverware, so there are going to be questions asked about that.
“The landscape is changing in Europe, it is getting harder and harder. I don’t want to spout clichés, but that is an actual reality. The resources that other teams are putting into that competition are greater and greater, that weren’t there five or six years ago.”