Leinster not getting ahead of themselves
The three-time European Cup winners are guaranteed to end the year on top of Pool Four as they have built up a six-point lead ahead of second placed Montpellier's trip to Castres. But before they get to play their final two pool games next month they have one home game left to try to complete a year without losing in Dublin.
"It is still very early on in this competition, but at least we are in a good position. We have three big Pro12 games coming up and then we can turn our attention back to Europe," Cullen told epcrugby.com.
"Europe is a huge focus for us, especially after what happened last year. I thought we prepared really well and we were pretty clinical in taking opportunities.
"Last week we got into their 22 a number of times and didn't come away with anything and the game hinged on a couple of key moments. This time we got a good return."
Cullen admitted that despite the 37-10 triumph at Franklin's Gardens in Round Three his side were very concerned about a Saints backlash. Three years earlier Jim Mallinder's men had turned a home horror-show against the Irishmen into an 18-9 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
That defeat, in front of a full house on home soil, not only dented Leinster's pride but also forced them to lose a home quarterfinal. Instead, they had to travel to Toulon, where they were beaten 14-29.
"The players took the challenge really seriously. We only come to the Aviva Stadium a couple of times a year and we try to make it a special occasion and to put on a good performance because it really matters," said Cullen.
"We just had to treat them with full respect. We suffered a very harsh lesson three years ago and we knew how caustic that was at the time – it was still very fresh in our minds.
"We still have two very difficult games to go. Montpellier have a lot of power in their team, with two international class players in every position, and it is going to be a very close game in Castres – they are a proud team that is very well-coached."
Source: epcrugby.com
