Matt Williams comes out swinging, alleging that ‘ugly sense of entitlement has seeped into Irish rugby fan culture’
Leinster huddle during their Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton
Former Leinster boss Matt Williams has attacked the “mob-like” criticism of Leo Cullen following the Irish province’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final loss.
Cullen’s side were beaten 34-37 in an Aviva Stadium match they were expected to win and qualify for their fourth successive European decider.
Leinster’s backlash
Rather than preparing for the 2025 final in Cardiff versus Bordeaux, Leinster have instead been left licking their wounds following a loss exacerbated by the negative commentary about Cullen and his decision to only use All Black Jordie Barrett as a sub against the Saints.
They took their pain out on hapless Zebre on Saturday, hammering the Italians 76-5 with an attacking flourish that wasn’t evident in their elimination by Northampton. However, while that win secured them the No. 1 seeding for the United Rugby Championship play-offs, the criticism of Cullen has continued.
Before Zebre were put to the sword by 12-try Leinster, Williams used his latest Irish Times column to defend the under-fire head coach, alleging that “an ugly sense of entitlement has seeped into Irish rugby fan culture”.
In an intro that pulled no punches, the 2000/01 Celtic League-winning coach wrote: “The public response to another Champions Cup heartbreak for Leinster has been disappointing but not surprising. The vocal criticism of Leo Cullen has been mob-like in its ignorance.
“To blame the coach is superficial and unfair…”
“Here are the facts. Across the last five years, Leinster have lost three finals and two semi-finals in this tournament. These defeats have been an epoch-defining series of missed opportunities that history will not judge with kindness.
“Here is another fact. Leinster and Toulouse are the only teams in Europe to have reached the final or semi-final in each of the last five years. Leinster have also reached five Champions Cup finals in the last seven years. This unprecedented run of consistency does not come about without superb coaching leadership.
“Leinster’s consistent excellence is the envy of every professional rugby organisation on the planet,” he continued, adding later in the column, “Simply to blame the coach is superficial and unfair.
“While an ugly sense of entitlement has seeped into Irish fan culture, we should really be applauding Northampton’s attacking masterclass on how to deconstruct Jacques Nienaber‘s rushing defensive system.
“To achieve this requires attacking teams using footwork before contact and a short passing game that can combine with exceptional ball movement skills to get the attack into the wide channels where there are no defenders.
“Northampton designed an exceptional attacking game plan based on skill and bravery that ultimately dismantled Leinster’s defence. As the attacking wave washed over Leinster, sadly the many mental scars that the team has accumulated over the past five years emerged. It was tough to watch.”
