Casualties likely to be Cullen’s main concern

Leinster… 43

Stade Francais… 7

Just how far does Leinster’s strength in depth actually run? Is a question I’m sure many of their adversaries have long pondered. Well, unfortunately for Leo Cullen et al, they might be getting a bit closer to finding out. Certainly at fly half anyway. Obviously, the retirement of Johnny Sexton left a gargantuan void to be filled at the No. 10 slot but where once it appeared the blue province appeared well endowed in that area, that theory is about to be put to the test…

Unfortunately, it was a portent of things to come when Ross Byrne sustained a serious hand/arm injury early on in his first outing with guardianship of the coveted garment, against Munster at the Aviva Stadium. Thus, thereafter, the thought process would have been that his younger brother Harry who would have been the one who stepped up to the plate to pilot the pivotal spot.

However, whether by accident or design, it has in fact been Ciaran Frawley that has been doing the needful with considerable aplomb until he too was added to the casualty list early in the second half of their latest dismantling of the French connection. Which is about the only concern Leo Cullen will have occupying his grey matter.

They had this one done and dusted before the half time snack machines even began warmng up. Courtesy of tries from James Lowe, Josh van der Flier and Dan Sheahan.

Indeed, that their opponents didn’t register a score until the clock was in the red underlines the paucity of opposition they are being faced with in the regulaton part of competitions.

No fault of their own, of course, but it does expose the D4 outfit to the risk of sailing into the business end of the competition without being earnestly tested. Again.

On this occasion, the feeble nature of the Stade Francais rebuttle allowed Caelen Dorris and Jordan Larmour register a brace of tries apiece and Sam Prendergast – the latest off the fly half production line – took care of their placed ball requirements.

They may not have been tested here, or yet, but, you imagine when that time comes – and it will – you suspect they will be a lot more streetwise and ready.