quite disheartening; Andrew Porter claims Leinster must capitalize on the shock of their recent European failure to break the cycle of coming up agonizingly short in the Investec Champions Cup.
Leinster gained a modicum of revenge over the French side for last month’s stunning 40-13 quarter-final success, which set up a showdown with the Saints at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday evening.
Prop Porter, who was part of the last Leinster side to be crowned European champions in 2018, hopes to channel a string of “disappointing” experiences to end his province’s wait for continental glory.
“It’s all part of sport quite disheartening : you win some, you lose some,” said the 28-year-old. “But it seems like we’re in a cycle of coming so close in the last few years.
Leinster led 23-7 before losing 27-26 in La Rochelle before losing 24-21 to the same opposition in the 2022 final in Marseille 12 months ago.
The Dublin club were defeated by La Rochelle in the 2021 semi-finals and after finishing as runners-up to Saracens in the 2019 final as defending champions.
With the Aviva Stadium hosting this year’s Europa League football final, Croke Park is set to play its first Champions Cup game since Leinster recorded a memorable 25-6 semi-final victory over provincial rivals Munster in May 2009.
Ireland loosehead Porter, aged 13, was among the crowd of 82,208 that day, enjoying “incredibly shocked” looks at the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). “It’s a stadium steeped in culture and a lot of history,” he said.
“Obviously most of Ireland play GAA and hurling, it’s massive here, it’s our national sport. You are playing in a national stadium which means a lot to a lot of people in this country and certainly a lot to us as a team.
The ‘quite disheartening’ reason that has Andrew Porter fired up
“I’ve heard stories from a lot of GAA players about how important quite disheartening, it is to be able to play there and take advantage of the opportunity because you’re playing there because it’s something special.
“To be able to say you’ve played in Croke Park is incredibly poignant. It will definitely be a day I will always remember. It’s a big occasion but we’re going to play the game, not the occasion.
Leinster duo Jimmy O’Brien (neck) and Gary Ringrose (shoulder) are in contention to return, quite disheartening while fellow Ireland international Hugo Keenan (hip) will be assessed.