Leo Cullen: Leinster 'as hungry as ever' to win fifth star

Between the Champions Cup, the Challenge Cup and the URC, Leinster have had 12 major trophies to polish over the last 15 years, but Leo Cullen says they will continue to be motivated by the ones they left behind.

The four-time European champions are big favourites to add a fifth star to their jerseys by the end of May, unbeaten through 20 games across all competitions this season, and set for home advantage all the way to the final in both the Champions Cup and URC should they get there.

They've been here before though, losing finals in 2019 and 2022, with the real missed shot coming back in 2020 when they saw their 23-game unbeaten run ended by Saracens in the quarter-final.

Eleven years ago, Leo Cullen lifted the trophy as captain for the third time in four years, the crowning glory of a great Leinster side. And while six URC titles, and a Challenge Cup have followed, the Leinster coach says he can understand why some would consider their single Champions Cup success in that 11-year period to be a small return.

"There is always that frustration, everyone wants more," he says, as he reflects on Leinster's near-misses in recent seasons.

"That's what makes it so special, everyone wants to win, there are so many teams that are desperate to be successful.

"Jeepers, you think back to 2012 - there was a six or seven year period where we wondered if we'd ever be competitive in the competition again."

"That's what drives us day in and day out, it is so bloody hard to win."

Their last Champions Cup defeat was probably the most gut-wrenching of the lot, losing last season's final to La Rochelle after conceding a try in the final minute, following a 10-minute goalline stand.

"Jeepers, if you think back to Marseille, the game is there in