The last few years have brought some bitter disappointment for Leinster in their quest to add a fifth Champions Cup star.
Finalists for the last three editions of Europe's top rugby competition, Leinster have come up short on each occasion.
Leo Cullen's team were out for revenge when they faced La Rochelle in the 2022 final in Marseille, with Ronan O'Gara's French side having defeated Leinster at the semi-final stage the previous year. Not only did La Rochelle win that '22 final with a last-gasp try, but they would come from 17-0 down to defeat Leinster in their own Aviva Stadium in the following year's final.
25 May 2024; Leinster players watch the trophy presentation after their side's defeat in the Investec Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Last year's decider saw Leinster lose out in extra-time in an epic battle with French giants Toulouse, their fourth final defeat in six seasons if you look back to the 2019 loss to Saracens.
Questions have been asked of the underperformance on the biggest stage from Leinster, whose squad has formed the crux of Andy Farrell's Ireland squad for quite some time now.
This weekend sees the opening round of fixtures of this year's tournament. As usual, Leinster are among the favourites to go the whole way, especially with the recent addition of All Black Jordie Barrett to their ranks. However, doubts will pervade due to their shortcomings in recent seasons.
When asked about Leinster's chances this time around, Munster legend Donncha O'Callaghan could not resist a brutal dig at their heartbreak of recent years.
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Donncha O'Callaghan throws dig at Leinster's Champions Cup disappointment
On his podcast The Offload with Tommy Bowe, Donncha O'Callaghan was asked by his ex-Ireland teammate whether he thought Leinster could finally end their Champions Cup hoodoo this season.
DOC ain't holding back on his views in his new podcast with Tommy Bowe. pic.twitter.com/Hh1LtiC1R6
— Overthehillprop (@Overthehillprop) December 6, 2024
Corkman O'Callaghan had a stinging response, comparing Leinster's chase of a fifth Champions Cup crown to the persistent delays to Dublin's new Children's Hospital.
No, no [there can't be any excuses].
I feel sorry for them because they have to win. You know what I mean? Obviously, there would never have been a greater disappointment in sport.
I don't mean to be any bit disrespectful but Leinster are up there with the National Children's Hospital for returns on investment. No-one has seen anything.
Tommy Bowe was cracking up at the brutal line from O'Callaghan.
It may be a particularly harsh comparison but there will be many even among Leinster's fanbase who will agree with its sentiment.
Winning the Champions Cup is no mean feat but, should they come up short again this year, it is likely we'll hear similarly brutal assessments with increasing regularity.
Leinster get their European campaign underway with a trip to Bristol on Sunday. Kick-off is at 5:30pm, with the game live on Premier Sports.
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