Leo Cullen 'delighted' as Leinster keep up winning run

It's been business as usual for Leinster in the opening six games of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Six games, six wins, and five of those with bonus-points, the province have already opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table.

Leo Cullen’s side were given their toughest test so far against the Lions at Aviva Stadium this evening, as Ivan van Rooyen’s side continued their own bright start to the campaign with a stubborn performance on defence.

"If you wind the clock back six weeks and told us we’ll get 29 points [from the first six games], we’d have been delighted," Cullen said, after their 24-6 win against the Lions.

The Leinster head coach did hint at some mild frustration at missing out on another bonus-point, which would have given them maximum points through the opening third of the season.

However, with such heavy rotation in his squad across the opening block, Cullen has learned a lot about his squad through these opening six weeks.

"With 20 minutes to go, you’d love to push on and get the bonus, but we’ve used a good few players, like 47 players, that’s a big chunk of players, a lot of young guys, some great experience over the past six weeks – hooker being the classic example.

"Four senior hookers out, Gus [McCarthy] started a good few games for us, Stephen Smyth coming off the bench today – I know it’s only for a couple of minutes but last week as well. It’s just getting them used to the experience of match days.

Leinster captain and player of the match Caelan Doris, plus winger James Lowe, react to a scrappy win over the Lions at Aviva Stadium