Worcester plight a cautionary tale - Leo Cullen

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says the financial chaos in the English Premiership has provided a stark reminder of the importance of good attendances.

With Worcester Warriors having their relegation confirmed this week, and their entire squad released after the club entered administration, and Wasps also in real danger of financial collapse, it's been a sobering time for the professional game.

Leinster had just over 13,000 fans in attendance at the RDS for their home opener against Benetton two weeks ago while they'll be hopeful of even more this evening when they host the Sharks (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), with the likes of Johnny Sexton, Andrew Porter, Robbie Henshaw and Jack Conan all starting.

And Cullen says the days playing in front of empty stadiums during Covid-19 has heightened the need for his own side to do their best to make sure the supporters keep coming back.

"Again, it's going back to life during Covid, life after Covid. The importance of the fans," he said.

"We’re not going to be able to survive, going forward, unless we get the buy-in from supporters. That’s the reality, isn’t it?

"Our big point of difference pre-Covid was our support we get, particularly on big days. It’s something we’ve to work really, really hard on to make sure that we provide a product out on the field that people want to come and see."

And the Leinster coach said the Warriors plight is also a cautionary tale for other clubs who are desperate for success.

"You can see it now, because some clubs, you can always overspend to try and chase the success.

"You have to be careful as well, because sometimes survival and moving on, the gradual sustainability of success can’t be at all the costs. What is going to be the ultimate cost?

"That is the