Van der Flier: Leinster don't feel it's 'now or never' in their latest bid for Champions Cup glory

Josh van der Flier says Leinster don't believe it’s "now or never" in this generation’s bid to add another Investec Champions Cup title to their name.

Speaking on RTÉ Sport’s coverage of Leinster’s last-16 win over Leicester, former Ireland and Leinster number 8 Jamie Heaslip suggested another season without a European Cup wouldn’t be reflective of the team’s quality.

"It’s now or never for this group, for Leo [Cullen] and his team," he said (below).

"Because there has been a bit of a drought of trophies, particularly European trophies, given the success of the national side and so many players from Leinster play for that side.

"They need to deliver."

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However, back row Van der Flier reckons the team are more focused on Saturday’s clash with 2022 and 2023 conquerors La Rochelle, who come to the Aviva Stadium 11 months since beating Leinster in a classic final.

"We’ve played very well for a few years now and there hasn’t been the success in Europe that every team wants," the 30-year-old former World Rugby player of the year told RTÉ Sport.

"One thing we’ve talked about, I suppose it’s obvious enough, in knock-out rugby is not like a league where whoever plays the best, and wins the most games, gets the most points is just the winner overall.

"You’ve got to earn it through knock-out.

"No-one goes in with the trophy in their grasp and then loses it. You have to go and attack it.

"You start the knockouts with the same chance that everyone else has so no matter how you play