Leo Cullen: Second half start key in win over La Rochelle

Leo Cullen says his side rose to the occasion, as they ended La Rochelle's reign as European Champions at the Aviva Stadium.

A dominant second half performance in which they scored 17 unanswered points saw them power past Ronan O'Gara's side at a sold-out Aviva Stadium, setting up an Investec Champions Cup semi-final meeting with either the Northampton Saints or the Bulls at Croke Park next month.

The province led by 17 points approaching half time, the same lead that they had let slip against La Rochelle in the final last May. And when the French side got in for a try just before half-time through Louis Penverne, it looked like they were bracing themselves for another incredible comeback.

This time however, Leinster stemmed the flow within four minutes of the restart, Ryan Baird scampering down the touchline to restore the 17-point lead, from which the hosts only kicked on further.

Cullen believes that score was the turning point of the game.

"Whatever about giving away the try before half time, getting the try just after half time was massively important, to get the 17-point buffer," he told RTÉ Sport.

"Two good teams going hard at it... going to Croke Park will be an amazing experience for the guys."
Our panel caught up with victorious Leinster boss, Leo Cullen.#RTErugby #LEIvSR pic.twitter.com/bvRIgqICXs

"We know La Rochelle have had to travel, and how much of that journey is still in the legs for them. You have to put them into a position where they're a bit uncomfortable.

"The two finals we’ve lost, as painful as they’ve been, there’s rich learning for us always, and making sure you never sit back on that lead is the big thing. You come unstuck, and we’ve lost, giving up tries in the last minute of the game over in