Head coach Leo Cullen hailed Leinster’s 42-10 bonus point win over Racing 92 after his star-studded side began their Heineken Champions Cup assault in spectacular fashion in cold Le Havre in France.
The Irish province, defeated at the last minute of last season’s masterpiece against La Rochelle, racked up six tries to demolish the three-time finalists in a Group A opener that switched from Paris to the Stade Oceane due to a concert by music.
Josh van der Flier crossed for two tries, with the others coming from Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Garry Ringrose and Ed Byrne.
A marathon 14-hour journey from Dublin to Le Havre via Paris had the potential to derail Leinster’s campaign opener, but Cullen, the former Ireland second-string striker, shrugged it off.
He said: “Some things are out of their control. We got there later than planned, but it was just one of those tests that sometimes it’s nice to get through. It was a great connecting moment at the airport for players, parents and supporters.”
Leinster had to requisition a fleet of taxis to transport them from Paris after their flight was diverted to the French capital due to thick fog that restricted visibility at Le Havre airport.
But they still started running against Racing, which is exactly what Cullen and his lieutenant trainer Stuart Lancaster had demanded.
Cullen added: “The guys started with a lot of intention and it was important to score early.
“I had seen Racing in their last games and they had scored a lot of points early on. They had crushed Clermont and it was important to take that away from them.”
Leinster followed instructions to the letter with Cullen calling his third try significant in subduing opponents containing proven attackers such as Finn Russell, Gael Fickou and former Wasps favorite Christian Wade, who returned to rugby after a season trying to break high-level American football in the United States.
Cullen said: “Scoring just before halftime for a 21-3 lead was a great turnaround for momentum.
“We left wanting to go out and start the Champions Cup well because there is not much margin for error with the new format of the tournament.
“In the old format, you’d get a losing bonus point and it was big. Now you’re really going to max out every point. You need to get as many points as you can, so that was a great start for us.”
Leinster’s attention shifts to next Friday night’s big clash with Gloucester at Dublin’s RDS Arena, and Cullen says: “The first half is now over. Our minds are on Gloucester, who have a very good set piece. and that it will contribute a lot”. other strengths.
“From our players’ point of view, they’re proud of the team, they just want to represent themselves, that’s who they are.”
Source: news.google.com