Leinster 'open-minded' about Sevens switches

Leinster remain "open-minded" about the possibility of some of their players joining Ireland's Sevens programme and will facilitate it where they can.

Last week the rugby world was stunned when France captain Antoine Dupont announced he would not play in their Six Nations campaign, instead opting to join their Sevens team in a bid to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Former Australia captain Michael Hooper has also opted to switch codes.

On Friday Ireland announced their squad for the upcoming SVNS World Series season and there were no major surprises, while the women's panel parachuted former Meath footballer Vikki Wall into their squad recently with the aim of bringing her up to speed in time for next summer's Games.

The fact that Dupont, a three time Six Nations player of the championship and 2021 World Rugby player of the year, has decided to forego a championship means that everything is on the table.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after Leinster's 54-5 BKT United Rugby Championship victory over Scarlets last night, Cullen was asked about the possibility of some of his players getting involved.

"Yeah, I've heard stranger things all right," he said.

"I'm really curious to see what different teams do."

Asked specifically about Hugo Keenan, who spent two years in the Sevens programme before making his breakthrough with Leinster and then Ireland, Cullen said: "I think that's probably for Hugo to answer that question.

"It would depend on what the player wants to do obviously and we'll try and facilitate that as best we possibly can, yeah.

"Like, it is amazing what [France] are doing, what Dupont has achieved in the game so yeah, listen, we are open-minded people so we are. We definitely would have a conversation."

Leinster, who moved