Leinster plead with fans for early arrival

Stuart Lancaster has pleaded with Leinster fans to turn up early for Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup final.

The senior coach believes that a sea of blue can help his side over the line as they bid for a fifth star.

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle stand in their way, and 12 months ago the majority of a boisterous crowd of 59,862 roared their side on to a first ever European title.

The Aviva Stadium has experienced some incredible atmospheres for both big club and international games, however, it also stands accused at times of not generating the noise and colour that is often seen outside of Ireland, with supporters arriving late and then traipsing to and from the bars.

In addition, European Cup finals draw many neutrals, who buy tickets months in advance and go along for the occasion without necessarily getting behing either team.

It's a recipe for a flat atmosphere and Lancaster has urged supporters to make an extra effort.

"It certainly can play a part. Unbelievably so," he said.

"I was in the stadium for the Ireland-England Grand Slam game in March and the energy the Irish crowd gave the team that day...Ireland, as you know, didn't play their best but the energy the crowd give teams is incredible.

"There have been times for Leinster, over the last couple of years some amazing occasions when people have got in early, and they are in their seats and the teams are warming up and you can feel the energy build.

"Having been in a few European Cup finals now it’s often quite a cosmopolitan crowd in that a lot of people get tickets, who don’t know who is going to be in the final.

"So you get this mix and match of supporters from different countries but you’ve still got this hard core of people who hopefully have got tickets, who were born