Leo Cullen not to blame for a Leinster URC failure according to ex-star

He believes Cullen won't be the reason whether Leinster will lift silverware or not.

Leo Cullen's men are chasing glory following a disappointing Champions Cup semi-final exit to Northampton. Since 2021, Leinster have lost out in either the semis or final of the Champions Cup, leaving them with just one title triumph in 13 years.

This has been seen as a huge disappointment by many due to the club's facilities and size of budget, although it is something which the Leinster head coach believes is heavily overstated.

Cullen has serious questions from Leinster fans, who were calling for his head following that defeat to Northampton.

However, Ireland and Leinster great, Gordon D'Arcy, believes it's a now or never time for the players to deliver their first URC title since 2021.

The former inside centre still sees Leinster as favourites for the URC trophy, and thinks the spotlight shouldn't be on the Leinster head coach and senior coach Jacques Nienaber.

In his column for the Irish Times, he said: "Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber aren’t the ones who will decide whether Leinster lift silverware this season.

"It will be because the players accepted individual responsibility. It will be because the squad leaders demand standards, not hope they appear opportunely."

D'Arcy added: "How badly do they want it? When things go wrong, and they will at some stage, what happens then, in the 65th minute, when the lungs are burning, and the scoreboard is tight? Where do players look? What do they do? That’s not something a coach can instil. That’s internal. That’s yours alone as a player."