Leo Cullen excited for rugby's future after dramatic end to Six Nations

Michael Bolton

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen is positive about the future of rugby after the dramatic end to the Six Nations last weekend.

Ireland defeated Scotland to win the Six Nations, and looked set to win the tournament as England were leading France going into the final moments in Paris.

However, a Thomas Romas penalty ensured France would retain their title in a 48-46 win.

Going into the tournament, the game was not in a positive place, with the amount of kicking and stoppages in games being questioned.

The Six Nations flipped that narrative, with high-scoring games and free-flowing rugby grabbing the headlines, in what Cullen sees as only a positive for the sport.

"It is an amazing advertisement for the tournament and for the game itself. There were plenty of negative vibes about the style of the game, but the last few weeks of the Six Nations have been fantastic.

"Teams have gone out with a real intent and mentality of playing. You are seeing teams rewarded there.

"It is good for that sort of game to be rewarded in the international game.  That is the way we all want to play.

"Glasgow this weekend, play a very similar sort of game to what Scotland produces.

Ahead of the game against Glasgow on Saturday in the URC, loosehead prop Andrew Porter could be set to make his return to action.

Porter missed the Six Nations after suffering a calf injury in January, with Leinster also without props Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy.

"He's very, very close, Andrew. He's got himself in great shape now. He's doing more and more every day, which is great.

"He came back from November (with Ireland) injured and picked up that unfortunate injury in the lead-up to our La Rochelle game.

"He's a huge player for us, Andrew, and has been for a decent chunk of time now. That's on top of Paddy McCarthy getting injured in that La Rochelle game, as it played out, and Jack Boyle then got injured in the Connacht game. They're all significant injuries."

Full-back Hugo Keenan is also training fully, having not played since the British and Irish Lions tour.

"Hugo's training fully at the moment, as well.

"We're hoping that he will feature this week, or if not this week, very, very soon."