Leinster boss Leo Cullen says the media “love throwing the boot in” on the Irish province after his facet noticed off a late fightback from Toulon to attain one other Investec Champions Cup remaining.
Last 12 months’s shock semi-final loss to Northampton Saints in Dublin denied Leinster a fourth straight remaining in a contest they haven’t received since 2018.
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In the ultimate 11 minutes in opposition to Toulon on Saturday, Leinster noticed an 18-point lead minimize to simply 4, with the French facet nearly finishing a sensational comeback however denied by a canopy sort out from New Zealand again Rieko Ioane.
Cullen’s facet, who narrowly misplaced three straight finals from 2022-2024 to French opposition, haven’t been at their regular excessive requirements throughout this 12 months’s match however savoured the 29-25 win.
“You would love everyone to get behind the team now,” Leinster’s director of rugby stated post-match. “When you are up against juggernauts of the game, it is not easy doing it.
“You see the opposite Irish provinces, we’re the one ones left within the competitors. The group will proceed to do what they do, it isn’t all the time fairly.
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“We are up against some serious teams here. It is insanely hard to win this competition.
“You guys [the media] love throwing the boot at us, do not you? You guys love throwing the boot in when issues do not go effectively.
“Whatever sells, you read plenty of it. The courage the players showed, it is a testament.”
Ioane, identified for his attacking sport, delivered a standout defensive efficiency on Saturday [Getty Images]
Cullen and Leinster, who had comfortably cruised via the match final season, got here below intense scrutiny after Northampton’s quick begin noticed them take a 12-point lead at half-time.
The four-time champions fought again and nearly snatched the sport on the dying, with Cullen revisiting late refereeing choices that value his facet within the 37-34 defeat final May.
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A 12 months on, he defended his facet, who had beforehand by no means overwhelmed three-time champions Toulon, and stated he all the time expects a Champions Cup semi-final to “never go to script”.
“Naturally [in the last 10 minutes] you try and protect things, don’t you? Whereas the other team they don’t have protection and throw everything at it,” he added.
“We were sitting in this room this time last year. We were in that situation and we were throwing everything at Northampton. [Henry] Pollock gets a poach – it should have been a penalty.
“It’s clearly unlawful, however no one needs to report about it after. We ought to have had a penalty attempt to no one needs to report about it. You simply want to kick the boot into us, do not you? But that is the best way it goes.
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“Semi-finals come down to the tightest of margins. In 2012, Wesley Fofana knocked the ball over the tryline and that is how we [Leinster] got to the final.
“I might be form to Toulon as they confirmed nice spirit to the very finish.”
Leinster will travel to Bilbao for the final on Saturday, 23 May, where they will face last year’s champions Bordeaux-Begles or Bath, who play on Sunday.
Cullen confirmed centre Robbie Henshaw and flanker Josh van der Flier, who left the field with head injuries, will undergo the graduated return-to-play protocol.
Flanker Jack Conan limped off and “will get checked”, with Tommy O’Brien stated to be doubtless affected by cramp.
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All 4 are essential gamers for Cullen as Leinster search a fifth Champions Cup in three weeks’ time.