| Aidan McCullen had reason to be happy when we caught up with him in the build up to Saturday’s game against Munster. The 27 year old flanker was an integral part of the Leinster pack that took the game to Ulster at Ravenhill last week – and smashed Ulster’s unbeaten home record. However he was quick to point out that one win won’t make a successful season and that the Leinster squad are fully focused on repeating the performance against Munster. “Sure we were happy with the win,” he said “But you always look to what’s next and to produce two good back to back performances would be great.”
An opening round draw against a powerful Cardiff Blues side by a youthful Leinster team was seen as a solid start in many quarters, but Aidan said the team were disappointed after getting so close to the full four points – and were totally fired up for the trip to Ulster. “Our set piece struggled in the second half against the Blues but we trained really well and smashed into each other a bit and we were really revved up for Ulster!”
This weekend also gives new Leinster coach Declan Kidney a chance to pit himself against his former side, while Munster are coached by ex-Leinster leader Alan Gaffney.
“Al started at Leinster the year before me,” said McCullen “He was instrumental in my early skill development so you could say there is a bit of Gaffney in me – but Declan coached me as a school boy and I think he is the right man for Leinster just now – he knows what we are all capable off and is good at getting the best out of everyone.”
Many pundits have claimed that Leinster will suffer for the loss of their test players at certain times during the season but McCullen is sure the younger member of the squad are ready to play their part in a successful season. “The younger guys are all that bit harder for having played in the side last year. It showed against Ulster where they knew how to react to the position we were in.”
McCullen, who played a season in France with Dax is sure that the quality of the Celtic League continues to improve. “The Celtic League has aged – we now know that we need to compete at a high level every week and that the intensity week in week out will serve us in good stead when the European games come around”
After a year dogged by injury you would think McCullen would be desperate to make up for lost time - especially in the test arena where his only cap came in the 2003 tour to Samoa - however test selection is not something he thinks to much about. “Perhaps I used to play thinking I have to perform because someone could be watching me; now -and I think its because of the injury - I want to enjoy it, give it my very best and see what happens – it’s a great job to have.”
So given the choice would the part time DJ, who used to work for a Dublin radio station before it closed down, prefer the life of a rugby player or a DJ. “Rugby definitely comes first” he says - after only a moment’s hesitation! I still like to DJ when I can, and would like to do a bit of production but that’s something to do when I’m not busy with rugby.
If Leinster continue to play as they did last weekend then McCullen will have little time to DJ!
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