McCullen ponders life beyond Leinster

One of the stories of this season never actually happened. Aidan McCullen has been waiting patiently in the Irish backrow queue for several years now and pre-Christmas form looked set to confirm him as a regular in the Leinster starting XV.

Consistently high standards on the blindside flank even put the 28-year-old in line to add to the solitary international cap gained on the tour to Samoa in 2003.

In September he was part of the backrow that played a significant role in ending Ulster's two-year unbeaten run in Ravenhill. This was followed by an effective display in October's opening European Cup pool match in Treviso. The recognition for his solid performances was a player of the month award.

"I come from a GAA background in Meath so it meant a lot to me to gain such recognition from the Leinster fans. I was really enjoying my rugby and training harder than ever before."

Then it all came to an abrupt halt. After returning from a 30-man Irish squad session he was dropped for the fit again Eric Miller.

Granted, it was a horses for courses selection with the slightly more battle-hardened Miller getting the nod. But then began a bizarre slip down the pecking order that ended in complete exclusion from the match day 22.

"I was wondering would anyone notice. I had no idea why I had been dropped. It was very disheartening and confusing. I had never had any run-ins with the management and Declan Kidney is a great guy. I had been 100 per cent professional."

"My fear was that people would assume I had had an argument with someone, but I get on well with everyone."

This is confirmed by his peers. An intelligent and well rounded individual, McCullen was adamant that speaking to The Irish Times must not to be misconstrued as a parting shot at anyone in Leinster.

An inflow and exodus of players is expected in the coming month with McCullen potentially one of those to sling his hook. French and English clubs will surely come knocking, but playing abroad would not be a new experience for McCullen.

Seven seasons back, before he turned professional, he went to France for a year and played some rugby with Dax, who subsequently offered him a one-year deal. That gave him the bug.

The year 2003 saw him make a genuine impact on the Irish rugby consciousness.

However, last season was blighted by injury. This campaign started so well but every tight call in team selection seemed to go against him.

The fact that his value never waned even worked against him, as being a replacement or on standby denied him the opportunity to maintain match sharpness with Lansdowne - how they would have profited from his ball carrying in a relegation threatened season.

That changes over the next two weekends, with games against Clontarf and his alma mater Dublin University.

Some people would crumble in the face of such adversity but McCullen is already eyeing up life after rugby and, with a degree in French and German and a postgraduate from the Smurfit School of Business, other options are open to him.

"I took it all on the chin and just got on with it. That meant hitting the gym hard and improving my strength. It's difficult but I haven't let myself become negative. That is important to me - I held my head up high.

"I could have just faked an injury and maintained my conditioning but instead I decided to give quality opposition to my team."

He also manages to find a positive from the last two years by saying he will be fresher for what lies ahead. Looking at the route Trevor Brennan took after similar frustrations, the best is surely yet to come, be it at home or abroad.

Shane Jennings looks set to join Leicester Tigers next season. The move has yet to be confirmed but ahead of last weekend's game, Neil Back signalled him out for special praise.

"I've looked at a number of Leinster's recent games and he has really stood out for me. I'd almost be pleased if he is not playing because he has really impressed me."