'Looking at the floor and not a word was spoken' - McBryde reveals Leinster dressing room scene

Robin McBryde has given an insight into the Leinster dressing room in the immediate aftermath of their Heineken Champions Cup final loss, saying not a word was spoken for 10 minutes.

As head coach Leo Cullen was fulfilling his post-match media duties, the rest of the squad and back-room staff gathered in stunned silence, trying to process the 24-21 last-gasp defeat to first-time winners La Rochelle.

"There was a 10-minute period where we were all in a circle staring into space, looking at the floor and not a word was spoken," said the Welshman.

"Everyone was left to their own thoughts, trying to process things, there was nobody thinking of Glasgow [in this weekend's URC quarter-final] at that stage, it was just a case of reflecting on what had just happened.

"I know it happened by chance [Leo being absent] but it was good in a way that everyone was able to give that 10-minute window to gather themselves, try to put things into boxes upstairs in your head.

"And then Leo came in and said a few words, in fairness, trying to pick everyone up really.

"Maybe that was the first time that everyone thought that we can’t dwell on this too long.

"We’ve got to go through thick and thin together.

"Because we’d a fair old journey home as well, just have a chat and look after each other, make sure we come back stronger next week, and that’s what we did.

"The adrenaline is still in your blood after the game.

"All the staff were in the changing room together, everybody who is a part of playing and preparing the team to get us to the final was there in that changing room.

"It was nice to have that window to put things in place."

While Leinster, who were aiming for a fifth European title, led of most of the game, they were outscored three tries to