Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says the Bulls will arrive in Dublin for the URC final as a far more dangerous side than they were in last year’s decider.
The Bulls are set to return to the Irish capital for a second successive final, this time looking to make amends for the heavy 32-7 defeat they suffered at the hands of Leinster in last year’s showpiece.
Johan Ackermann’s side booked their place in this year’s final after producing a late comeback to edge the Glasgow Warriors 22-21 at Murrayfield in a tense semi-final clash.
Cullen believes that experience, combined with the Bulls’ growing consistency in knockout rugby – now reaching a fourth final in five seasons – will only make them a more formidable opponent when the sides meet again with silverware on the line.
“They would have learned a lot from the experience of being in a final last year,” said the Leinster coach.
“The Lions were the South African Shield winners, but they have a lot less Springbok international experience in their team,” he added. “The Stormers put a lot more physical pressure on us.
“The Bulls, listen, they’re different the way they defend but they’re a team with a ton of Springbok experience. World Cup winners littered throughout their group.
“If you look at some of the players they’ve added as well. The likes of Handre Pollard in particular. He’s a World Cup winner and what he brings to a team.
“They’re a serious outfit.”
The Bulls opted to return to South Africa following their semi-final win and are due to arrive on Tuesday.
The squad will now turn their attention to recovery after the bruising semi-final encounter, before beginning preparations for a repeat of last season’s final against the defending champions.
