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'We've been looking forward to this for a long time' | Cullen says Leinster are ready for Saracens clash

16 months on from their last defeat in any competition Leinster take on Saracens on Saturday as t...



16 months on from their last defeat in any competition Leinster take on Saracens on Saturday as they aim to take a massive step towards winning the Heineken Champions Cup. 

Head coach Leo Cullen has said the fact their last defeat was to Saracens will act as a motivator.

Sarries came out on top when the pair met in the competition's showpiece in May of last year.

Cullen knows they've gone through challenging times since then and may not be the same outfit that beat them but he's not underestimating the task at hand either.

"For our group, it's the last game that we lost.

"I remembering driving into the ground in Newcastle and the sea of blue, when we started the game we were 10-0 up after 35 minutes and Saracens were losing players to the bin.

"They showed amazing resilience though to weather that patch and we were level at half-time which was a huge swing in the game.

"We had some chances at the start of the second half to get back in front but we couldn't quite execute them.

"Saracens then took their chances and won the game 20 points to 10.

"They've had plenty of change since then but they're still the champions, they're still the team we're trying to beat because they've the ultimate prize with the European trophy in their cabinet at the moment and that's what we're all trying to go after at the moment.

"It's a game that we've all been looking forward to for a long time."

That summer's day in St. Jame's Park was the last time Leinster were beaten and have gone on a remarkable winning streak racking up 25 successive victories.

Cullen feels the progression over the last year is with thanks to their system of bringing in new talent and freshening things up.

"It's our plan from week to week to improve and get better. Whether we actually have or not I'm not sure.

"We've put in a number of players through since that day and that's important - younger players coming through the system.

"Some of our academy were integrated into the senior group this week, that's the constant cycle we have here."

Both sides go into this game with points to prove.

Leinster will be looking to cement their place as the top side in European rugby while Saracens have perhaps a more emotional reason for wanting to win.

They know a loss means they won't play European rugby for two seasons due to breaking financial fair-play rules.

Although there won't be any fans present and it might not be as great an occasion it could be in front of an audience it does promise to be an interesting clash.

Cullen seems confident going into the game but also knows it will take a near-perfect performance to beat Saracens.

"It's all little moments. There's so many little moments in the game that just add up.

"You have to be smart with how you play against Saracens because they're a very strong defensive outfit and clearly put a huge amount of pressure on teams.

"As the game wears on they put on more and more pressure so it's about making sure we're smart with how we manage the game.

"The small little bits of communication that go on during games is different now to what it was like.

"You're normally playing in packed out stadiums and now it's empty so it's different in terms of how players communicate.

"It's about staying composed and making sure when opportunities do come along you're ready to pounce and execute in the heat of the battle."

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Heineken Champions Cup Leinster Rugby Leo Cullen