Andrew Porter using ‘hurt’ of recent seasons as Leinster chase Champions Cup win

Andrew Porter says Leinster must harness the hurt of their recent European failures in a bid to break the cycle of falling agonisingly short in the Investec Champions Cup.

Leo Cullen’s men are preparing to host Northampton in the semi-finals of the competition following successive final losses to Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle during the past two seasons.

Leinster gained a modicum of revenge over the French side thanks to last month’s resounding 40-13 quarter-final success, which set up Saturday evening’s showdown with Saints at Croke Park in Dublin.

Prop Porter, who was part of the last Leinster team to be crowned European champions, in 2018, hopes to channel a string of “disheartening” experiences in order to end his province’s wait for continental glory.

“It’s all part of sport: you win some, you lose some,” said the 28-year-old.

“But it seems like we’re kind of in a cycle of getting so close yet so far the last couple of years.

“We’re definitely using those experiences, those losses to add to our armoury.

“You have to use those and leverage that hurt over the last few seasons.

⭐️⭐️@StadeRochelais are two time #HeinekenChampionsCup Champions