Leo Cullen: Leinster coach rubbishes talks of ‘upheaval’ at the club
Leinster coach Leo Cullen has rubbished the talk of ‘upheaval’ at the club following the impending departure of senior coach Stuart Lancaster and other figures at the club.
Lancaster signed a contract with French giants Racing 92 last week and will take up the director of rugby role for the Top14 side. Chief executive Mick Dawson is also set to depart the Irish province.
Changes are normal
Cullen, however, sees the changes as normal to sport and is still excited about the club’s future and what the “fresh blood” can offer.
“There are great people here,” he said. “Andrew Goodman has arrived from Crusaders after five unbelievably successful years there. He is a great addition. Sean O’Brien is a young coach coming in, Robyn McBride has huge experience, and that all adds different dimensions to the group.
“We have fresh blood there that will only get better. That is why we asked them to join us, because we think they are unbelievable potential for the future as well as the here and now. We have a new (coaching) group this season. So in terms of upheaval, a word I strongly disagree with, the thing with rugby is nothing stands still. Ever.
“People get older, players, coaches. Players retire, new players come through the system. Like, this close season, Felipe (Contepomi) left, Denis (Leamy) re-joined Munster. So you have two coaches leaving and two coming in, so you are trying to build again. We have a new CEO, Shane (Nolan). He is going to add a fresh energy as well, and a new viewpoint.”
Excitement remains
Cullen remains excited in his role and would like to kick on from a “deflating” finish to last season, where they fell short in both the Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship.
“At the end of last season it was so deflating,” he explained, “but I am as excited as I have ever been being in this role because of the here and the now and the great people we have. It is not by accident we have got to this point. I am hugely excited.”
Leinster has enjoyed another strong start to the URC, sitting at the table’s summit after three wins from three, including a 20-13 win over rivals Ulster.
