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6th December 2024
01:58pm GMT
Leinster are looking to make it a fourth-time lucky in this year's Champions Cup, having lost the last three finals in the competition.
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle got the better of them in 2022 and 2023 - by a combined margin of four points - before Toulouse beat them in extra-time in last year's final.
With the massive resources Leinster have in terms of population, schooling, and investment, trophies are all that matter for the province. Just competing is not good enough anymore.
And this year, with the additions of RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett, the expectations have gone up a level.
On The Offload podcast, former Ireland stars, Tommy Bowe and Donncha O'Callaghan, spoke about Leinster's ambitions in Europe this year.
Bowe asked: "There can't really be any excuses?
In response, ex-Munster lock O'Callaghan compared Leinster's failing to those of the new National Children's Hospital, which has gone way over budget in its construction.
O'Callaghan said: "No, no. I feel sorry for them because they have to win. You know what I mean?
"Like honestly, there would never have been a greater disappointment in sport.
"You know what I mean? Like, I don't mean to be any bit disrespectful, but like Leinster are up there with the National Children's Hospital.
"In terms of like for return on investment, no one has seen anything and this is the greatest year."
On Leinster's rivals for silverware, O'Callaghan added: "But I do think there's other teams, you mentioned them, La Rochelle, Toulouse. And a sneaky one, no one is chatting about them, the Sharks."
With a squad boasting a host of South African World Cup winners - including Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth, and Siya Kolisi - last season's Challenge Cup winners the Sharks will no doubt pose a massive threat.
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