Cullen: Leinster energy and momentum impressive

Leinster boss Leo Cullen was understandably delighted with his team’s nine-try 60-13 rout of Northampton at Aviva Stadium as they went six points clear in Champions Cup Pool 4 with two matches remaining.

The Irish province face Montpellier at home and Castres away in January and now look firm favourites to win the pool and take an automatic spot in the quarter-finals.

"I thought Northampton came out strong. Obviously, it went to 13-5 in their favour, but I thought the players showed really good composure,” said Cullen.

"As the game wore on, I thought we were pretty clinical at taking opportunities. We talked before the game, and even after last week, some of the positions we got ourselves into and we didn't fully capitalise on.

"It's an area that we would have spent quite a lot of time working on this week. That was pleasing, and also probably the bench coming on I thought brought really good energy, and kept the momentum going."

Third-choice out-half Ross Byrne started a Champions Cup game for the first time in the clash and gave a stable and encouraging performance as he ably deputised for Johnny Sexton and Joey Carberry.

"Ross is someone who is ambitious, he's hungry to be successful, and he works hard,” said Cullen. “He's put in a lot of work over the last number of months. It's good to see him getting the rewards. It's a big test coming in playing at the Aviva against a good, strong Premiership team.

"He's acquitted himself really, really well and he's run the team well. Ross stepped in, and he's been really, really confident, assertive with the group, and it's great to see some of the characteristics that some of our younger players are showing."

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