With the Rugby World Cup overshadowing proceedings for the next couple of months, Leo Cullen will have time to start putting his stamp on Leinster before his front-line players return.
The new Leinster head coach was in London for the Guinness Pro 12 launch and when Off The Ball's Cian Murtagh caught up with him, the former captain was full of praise for what Sexton will bring, once he is available for provincial duty after the Rugby World Cup.
"Jonny Sexton went away to Racing. I'm not sure what he exactly wanted out of that period before he went away. I think he probably wanted to stay at Leinster and that's what we would want to provide as well. I think it was unfortunate that he left. Again, I know being through that period myself with two years away gives you a fresh view," said Cullen, adding that the Ireland international will help drive standards up.
Another name returning to Leinster in the hope of bringing back the glory days of the past is Isa Nacewa and Cullen feels the 33-year-old will also provide a large dollop of freshness to the squad.
"It's nice to have someone like Isa Nacewa coming back into the mix, who's added a huge amount to the environment. He's someone who's seen it from both sides as a player with Leinster for five years [then] went back into a coaching role," he said.
"His body, I guess, is the main thing that has had a chance to have a bit of a breather and he's seen the game from a different angle. But to have somebody like that who's had that experience is fantastic."
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