Leinster boss Leo Cullen: 'I understand the frustrations that are out there'

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says they owe it to their supporters to finish out the season in style, as they look to pick up the pieces following another Investec Champions Cup final defeat.

The four-time European Champions return to action in the BTK United Rugby Championship this evening, six days on from their agonising 31-22 extra-time defeat to Toulouse in the Champions Cup final, their fourth such defeat in the space of six years.

Cullen's side host Connacht at the RDS (kick-off 7.35pm) in their final game at the ground before redevelopment work starts in the summer.

The province are already assured of a quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium next week, but three defeats in their last four URC outings leaves them exposed to a potential semi-final away from home.

The Leinster coach admits he can understand the frustrations of supporters.

"We're the first to acknowledge that that's the way," Cullen (below) told RTÉ Sport.

"When you lose a game and there’s a team you support, and particularly if you’ve gone to great expense to support a team, you will have frustrations with the way things unfolded.

"That's the pointy end, and we’re at the pointiest end of club rugby in the world. That’s the level we’re operating off.

"For us, we’ve primarily guys who’ve come through a home-grown system and we want to help them on their journey and be able to deliver big performances, because they’ve such a vested interest in the team. I can see the work they put in on a day-to-day basis, on and off the field.

"I think they’re a great group, they live the values of the team and want to make people proud of their performances.

"When they don't achieve that, listen, trust me, they’re hurting more than anybody.

"I understand the frustrations that are