If you'd asked Mssrs Cullen and Lancaster for their verdict on Montpellier vs Leinster after 70 minutes, you'd have likely received a response full of F-bombs and tender resignation. But the entire Leinster set up will head back to Dublin tonight happy, thanks to that late bonus point salvaged by Isa Nacewa.
The match featured a strong Leinster start, a worrying Leinster capitulation and a bold Leinster fightback, inspired largely by Cullen's cubs. After being bloodied and bruised by the robut Montpellier forwards for 70 minutes, Leinster hung tough and somehow earned a bonus point.
The glass seems suddenly half full.
Our player ratings:
15 Rob Kearney - 5
A forgettable afternoon in the Montpellier muck. Will feed hard done by for the second half yellow but wrongly went low on a rampaging Nadolo in the first half and is still wearing the Fijians tyremarks because of it.
14 Zane Kirchner - 6
Had to contend with Nadolo for 80 minutes, a task you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Stat sheet says 6 tackles and 3 missed tackles.
13 Garry Ringrose - 8
The primary architect of the Leinster revival in the final quarter. His linebreaks seemed to make a team flagging in confidence believe that a losing bonus point could still be got. Laid down a marker for Chicago.
12 Robbie Henshaw - 7
Very little opportunity to do much on the attacking sphere but defense was top-notch. Tackle on Nadolo while Kearney was in the sin bin kept Leinster in the game (and provided a demonstration on the right way to tackle the burly winger)
11. Isa Nacewa - 8
Exudes so much class and leadership. Scored all of Leinster's points today. His try at the death was clever, the darting run towards the sticks over the try line before touching down was genius.
10 Johnny Sexton - 6
Still showing the strain of that hamstring injury and only seemed around 70% today. Kicking was incisive but not the grand-crux stuff we saw against Munster two weeks back. Will be wrapped in cotton wool between here and Soldier Field.
9 Luke McGrath - 6
The usual beguiling of intriguing and frustrating.
1 Cian Healy - 6
Knock on set up Montpellier's first try. Only 7 metres made with the ball in hand.
2 James Tracy - 7
Big moment for the young man starting against Montpellier's rugged scrum. Attacking lineout was perfect for his 47 minutes on the pitch. Leinster's top tackler with 9 tackles.
3 Mike Ross - 6
Incredibly slow to fill the space as Martin broke free for Montpellier's first try. Leinster won all on all of its scrums today though, so credit where credit is due.
4 Devin Toner - 6
First half knock-on summed up a forgettable Leinster first half. Always a great option in the attacking lineout but Leinster didn't have any answers for Montpellier at their lineout
5 Mick Kearney - 6
Got himself stuck in, that's for sure. Seven tackles made but also gave away two penalties.
6 Sean O'Brien - 7
A hugely encouraging 40 minutes, from an Ireland perspective anyway. Was immovable at the breakdown. Great to have him back.
7 Josh van der Flier - 7
A terror at the breakdown, as you'd expect. Carried for 20 metres and made five tackles.
Tremendous defence by @leinsterrugby as Josh Van der Flier smothers maul and earns defensive srcum, 17-6, 58 mins #MONvLEI
— Dermot O'Mahony (@Dermotom) October 23, 2016
8 Jamie Heaslip - 7
Lazy offload that set up the Nadolo's intercept try aside, Heaslip was immense throughout. Found the energy in the legs to drive Leinster home in that high-tempo last 5 minutes.
SUBSTITUTES
Joey Carberry (on for Sexton at halftime) - 7
Baptism of fire after halftime but acquitted himself well considering the massive step-up from Castres. These games will stand to him.
Jordi Murphy (on for O'Brien at halftime) - 6
Put in a hard shift against a rugged Montpellier back row.
Ian Nagle (on for Mick Kearney, 47") - 6
Offered a reliable option in the lineout off the bench.
Jack McGrath (on for Cian Healy, 47") - 6
Was very prominent in the Leinster fightback. Accidentally knocked du Plessis out of the game with a head-to-head knock
Sean Cronin (on for James Tracy, 47") - 6
Didn't make a massive impact off the bench. Unlike last week at the RDS, this game only really opened up for his running in the last 5 minutes.
Michael Bent (on for Mike Ross 61') - 6
Kept the Munster scrum solid
Jamison Gibson-Park (on for Luke McGrath, 64") - 6
Very active during Leinster's frenetic charge for the bonus point. Bravely went for the try line twice in the build up to Nacewa's try. Failed both times. Pass to Nacewa for that try was perfect and erased the one he didn't make in the build-up.
Dan Leavy (on for van der Flier, 74")
Yet again, was a dynamic and dangerous threat with the ball in his brief cameo. Pushed the tiring Montpellier forwards to the limit.
