Leinster late to the party – Leo Cullen’s new plan or still a work in progress?

By Chris Collyer

In previous seasons of the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup, we have seen a consistency with Leinster in which, for many games, the title holders will fly into a strong lead in the first half and defend to the hilt for the second half. This season, the tactics appear to be different.

In the last four games, Leo Cullen’s men have either been behind at half-time or ahead only just, displaying what have been widely considered out-of-character performances with many penalties conceded and various discipline issues, including high penalty counts and yellow cards.

Saturday’s away win to Bayonne featured the same new pattern, being 10-3 down at half time before going on to comfortably win by nine points; however, the cost may prove to be very high.

Safely securing their place at the top of Pool Three along with a home advantage for the Round of 16, Robbie Henshaw looked to have picked up a serious knock and had to leave the stadium in a knee brace, as well as Tommy O’Brien, Tadgh Furlong and Jimmy O’Brien leaving the field prematurely.

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New style or late to the party?

Leinster, who have not lost a game since October 2025, have been wrestling with injuries even before Bayonne, and with only 19 days until the Six Nations 2026, the bulk supplier of Irish rugby has plenty mull over as they return to the URC next week to take on Connacht in Galway.

Seeing as this season’s performance so far differs greatly to the previous season, are Leinster attempting to bed in a new style of gameplay, possibly allowing opponents to burn out early or, as a result of providing the majority of players to The British & Irish Lions 2025, have Leinster been late to the party and now are the Dublin based team finally starting to hit their straps?

Cullen has successfully blooded new players this season, notably electric winger Joshua Kenny, who has been putting out terrific performances and gained his sixth cap against Bayonne.

Expectations

With the season seemingly starting without them, it seems Leinster’s expectations are possibly higher than most club rugby teams, both from within and outside of the camp.

No doubt Cullen and Jacques Nienaber are working all hours to quell the mounting penalty count and discipline issues before entering the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.

Is this where we see Leinster take flight?   

READ MORE: Bayonne 13-22 Leinster: Another late show makes sure of top spot for the Irish province