Leinster capable of dealing with summit fever

The faces of the players as they traipsed past the cup at the end of last year's final told its own story.

All that hard work for nothing.

Leinster are close to the summit again and it’s hard to escape the feeling that another aborted attempt at regaining the European crown might just be the toughest to take of all recent heartbreaks.

They had been within touching distance of their first Champions Cup success in four years, before losing to a La Rochelle try in the last play of the game.

Arthur Retiere’s outstretched arm that touched the ball down must have felt like someone ripping the heart out of Leinster.

They had suffered sickening losses before; the final in 2019, the quarters in 2020, both to Saracens, while Ronan O’Gara’s side have twice in two seasons out-boxed Leo Cullen’s men.

Come what may by the end of today’s match, or in a final in three weeks’ time, base camp next year will look remarkably different.

The "unique" driving force that is Johnny Sexton won’t be calling any shots.

While his playing days with the province are over, he’s been involved behind the scenes pushing his team-mates on.

"Sexton has been like a coach there since 2009," former Ireland and Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman said on this week’s RTÉ Rugby podcast.

"You can’t underestimate his influence on the team in terms of driving consistency and driving standards. While there are other leaders there in Garry Ringrose and Tadhg Furlong, Sexton is unique, I’ve never come across anyone like him in rugby."

Widely credited for his influence on Leinster’s all-court playing style since joining in 2016, senior coach Stuart Lancaster (above) will be plotting their downfall as boss with Racing 92.

"When the lads come back from pre-season, it’s going to be a