BLOOD IN THE WATER

Leo says Leinster ready to go Shark hunting and belatedly get some points on the board

- MICHAEL SCULLY

LEO CULLEN insists the panic button is not being pressed but admits winless Leinster are still dealing with unknowns heading into round three of the URC.

Five Lions are among the eight changes made as the province host the Sharks at the Aviva Stadium — the third South African side faced in as many weeks.

The title holders lost the first two in Cape Town and Pretoria, and while Cullen knew it was going to be tough to start the season in the southern hemisphere, he didn’t expect to take home just one bonus point from the trip.

‘That's the harsh learnings at this level? said Cullen.

Leinster will take plenty from the 39-31 loss to the Bulls as there was a stark difference between that performance and the one in the 35-0 opening defeat to the Stormers.

But there are no guarantees this evening for a team that will be captained for the very first time by Josh van der Flier.

“Listen, people remember the results but it’s not like there’s a panic around the place,” said head coach Cullen.