Leinster boss Leo Cullen sends warning ahead of Harlequins clash

The original Harlequin is from the Italian commedia dell'arte (1500-1700) and he was an agile trickster in a chequered costume not averse to some pilfering here and there.

Leaving Leinster boss Leo Cullen warning his players that while this modern lot might be a whopping 16/1 against winning in Croke this afternoon.

They are also plenty agile and have some notable pilfering form themselves - not least a light-fingered 41-42 quarter-final win at Bordeaux in this competition last season.

Thus while Cullen fields his strongest starting team of the season containing thirteen Ireland Six Nations internationals - including Dan Sheehan at Champions Cup level for the first time this term - plus RG Snyman and Rabah Slimani.

He is also aware one of the points of being in the harlequinade is that it is not over 'til the final curtain.

"We’re hugely excited about the game, watching 'Quins the last couple of weeks they had a big win over Sarries in the Spurs stadium coming from 12 points down at half-time to win comfortably - it showed their ability to stick in the game and score points quickly.

“That’s probably been their form, not just this season but for the last five, six, seven seasons really. They have that ability. You look at their team, they have plenty of threats, so it’s a great challenge for us."

That's an unusual word for a rugby coach to use about a collective, 'quick'; Cullen explains it as a particular Harlequins trait dating back to, well not the 16th century but for a long time in rugby terms.

"It is not that they are carefree in the way they play but I think they would talk about their own DNA, that ability to be a little unconventional, as being part of their identity.

"Even since the Conor O'Shea days, being able to play fast and be brave enough on some occasions when it isn't paying off, to keep trying.

"We particularly saw it that year they won the Premiership (2020/21), they were 25 points down in games, sometimes more even, and they had that ability to come back and win.

"There was a big play-off tie last year where they won away in Bordeaux so we all know they are very dangerous, we know they have it in them so it is making sure are well prepped for it."

The overview sees Leinster putting five of the backs, four of the forwards and three of the subs who played in February's Ireland-England Six Nations game into their starting line-up.

Otherwise Springbok RG Snyman starts his first 2024/25 Champions Cup game following being a sub for the other four ties; France's Rabah Slimani previously started Bristol away, Bath home; it's All Black Jordie Barrett second time on the bench having started three games previously.

“Jordie totally understands the role," explained Cullen, "listen, I think he will add huge impact when he comes on. That’s not to say that’s always going to be the role that he has between now and the end of the season but for this week that’s what we felt was right by the team.”

For their part Harlequins had two England backs start the Six Nations game at the Aviva, Smith and Cadan Murley, while forwards Fin Baxter and Cunningham-South were on the England bench.

Continues Cullen: "Quins are coming off the back of two very competitive games whereas for our guys it has been a little bit different.

"They have had Premier Cup and no Premier during the Six Nations whereas our guys have been involved in five big battles, well a good chunk of our guys at least, so it is quite a hard game to get the form guide right isn't it?

"We obviously haven’t played the last few weekends and this week it has been great coming back together and the lads coming back from the tour have brought lots of brilliant energy.

"But that is what it is and we just have to go out and deliver our best performance, we can’t get caught up in stuff about the draw or anything else. We will be just focusing on what we can control in the here and the now and that has been the message the last couple of weeks."

James Ryan has not made the matchday squad having picked up an injury in training.

“Hopefully it’s not too bad," said Cullen. "James injured his calf during the week, it happened in training on Tuesday. Not sure yet how long he will be out but it will be a few weeks anyway.”

LEINSTER: Hugo Keenan; Jamie Osborne; Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, RG Snyman, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris capt.

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Tadhg Furlong, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Jordie Barrett

HARLEQUINS: Leigh Halfpenny; Tyrone Green, Oscar Beard, Ben Waghorn, Nick David; Marcus Smith, Will Porter; Fin Baxter, Jack Walker, Titi Lamositele, Joe Launchbury, Chandler Cunningham-South, Jack Kenningham, Will Evans, Alex Dombrandt capt

Replacements: Sam Riley, Wyn Jones, Simon Kerrod, Irne Herbst, George Hammond, Danny Care, Jamie Benson, Luke Northmore

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