SOMETIMES ONE WONDERS if Leo Cullen curses the fact that he is Leinster head coach.
Still only 38, the former second row was playing for the province as recently as 2014.
That summer, he became Leinster’s forwards coach. Cullen’s early plans for his new career path surely did not include taking on a head coaching role the following year.
Cullen at Tallaght Stadium this afternoon. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
Oftentimes the advice for young coaches is not to be in a rush to get the big job. Learn your craft without the major pressure first, sages like Wayne Smith say.
But Matt O’Connor’s departure in 2015 – with a year remaining on his contract as head coach – set the wheels in motion on a process that resulted in Cullen being promoted.
Leinster looked elsewhere before turning to their three-time Heineken Cup-winning captain. Robbie Deans was sounded out, Tony Brown rejected an offer and Tabai Matson resisted advances.
Cullen had been slotted in as interim head coach after O’Connor’s exit and with the lack of success in pursuing other options, Leinster’s Professional Game Board increasingly settled on the idea that Cullen could lead the province forward more permanently.
IRFU performance director David Nucifora initially expressed concerns over whether Cullen was experienced enough for Leinster’s top job, but a two-year deal was copper-fastened in the end.
Despite a Pro12 final, Cullen’s first season was difficult and now the thought that he was rushed into this role crosses the mind. The man himself says he doesn’t waste time thinking about it.
“Well, I’d signed a three-year contract as Leinster forwards coach, so it’s very different to what I’d signed up for, for sure,” said Cullen at Tallaght Stadium today.
“But I’m doing it now, so there’s no point in me worrying about any of those other questions, because I don’t have time to think about the answers.
“I’m just fully focused and committed to doing this job as best I can for Leinster Rugby.”
Cullen’s Leinster face Gloucester in Tallaght on Saturday at 3pm. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
Cullen readily points out that he is learning more about head coaching with each day. The visit of Graham Henry for two weeks on a consultancy basis, ending last Sunday, was an enriching experience for Cullen and something he welcomed.
It’s natural to suggest that the visit of Henry underlines that Leinster’s coaching ticket is missing something, all the more so now that Kurt McQuilkin – the most experienced member of the staff – is returning to New Zealand in the coming weeks.
Backs coach Girvan Dempsey is 40-years-old, while scrum expert John Fogarty is 38. Leinster’s remaining trio of coaches has very little experience, meaning Henry was an invaluable short-term addition.
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“I certainly don’t feel threatened now,” said Cullen when asked about Leinster possibly making a permanent move to bring someone like Henry on board.