United Rugby Championship: Leo Cullen hails Leinster’s defence after narrow win over Connacht

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was full of praise for his team’s defence after they ground out a 10-0 triumph over Connacht in their Irish derby at the Sportsground on Friday.

The match was played in atrocious weather conditions which meant it was a scrappy affair and there were several former Leinster players with a point to prove after moving to Connacht in the off-season.

Happy with Leinster effort

Amongst them was flanker Josh Murphy, who Cullen singled out for special praise, but the Leinster boss was also delighted with his charges’ performance, especially how they fronted up on defence after being involved in a high-scoring encounter against the Sharks last weekend.

“We were pleased with how we dug in defensively,” he told RTE Sport after the match. “We had to defend a couple of different sets at different stages where we were five metres from our try-line. That’s the pleasing part.

“It’s one of those games where you take the four points, get back on the bus and go again. It’s a short turnaround. We had a very physical game last week, another physical game today. In many ways we’re just managing bodies at the moment.

“We talk about our old Leinster guys. Josh Murphy was wearing the scars of battle. I can’t speak highly enough of him. He came through the academy. He’s a doctor, believe it or not. I’m dreading the day I turn up and he’s there at the operating table! Just a brilliant character. It was great to see him going well down here.”

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Connacht head coach Andy Friend was impressed by his side’s physicality but bemoaned their inaccuracy inside Leinster’s 22.

“It was an even contest with the physicality, I was really proud of our blokes,” he said. “They were immense out there with their intent and their desire, to get bodies in front and do damage.

“What we didn’t win was the clinical battle and that’s where quality sides like Leinster hurt you. As much as you front up physically, if you don’t take your chances, they’ll take theirs. That’s what they did tonight.”

A missed penalty from Ciaran Frawley meant Connacht failed to secure a losing bonus point but Friend said there were several other wasted point-scoring opportunities which also proved costly in the end.

“We don’t want to be the footy team that loses 10-0 and are proud of that because it’s Leinster,” he added.

Proud but not pleased

“We’re proud of the effort but we’re not pleased with the result. We left so many chances out there.

“I do think and know that our performances are getting better with every game, but that’s another loss for us.

“We’re one [win] from five at the minute. We’ve got two big games to finish this block and it’s important we get wins there.”

Leinster’s win means they are firmly entrenched at the top of the United Rugby Championship table and they are the only team with five victories from five games played so far, while Connacht are currently languishing in 14th place after the same number of matches.