At the moment, very few people could argue against Leinster being the best side in the Northern Hemisphere. From the style of rugby, to the outstanding production line of players coming through the academy year-on-year, Leinster have undoubtedly set the standards for European rugby.
After last year's agonising defeat at the hands of Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle in the Heineken Champions Cup final, Leo Cullen's side look like they're using the defeat as fuel to power them all the way this time around.
At the weekend, Leinster proved to be too strong for Leicester in the quarterfinal, but with Toulouse coming to the Aviva on the 29th of April, it's bound to be a classic tie in Dublin.
READ HERE: Leicester Coach Richard Wigglesworth Was In A Very Bitter Mood After Leinster Loss
With the way the draws and results have worked out, it will mean that Leinster will have played all of their knockout round games in the Aviva Stadium and with Dublin also hosting the final, should Leinster get past Toulouse, it will be all four games on home soil for the Irish province.,
Brian Moore scathes Leinster for home fixtures
The former England hooker was discussing this past week's Champions Cup fixtures during his column in the Telegraph and it's safe to say that Moore was far from happy with the EPCR for how the fixtures have worked out for Leinster.
Moore said:
For Leinster fans, they will not have to travel far if their side do contest the final, as the Aviva Stadium has been announced as the venue.
It is surely not right that any side should have four home games, including the final, when contesting Europe’s top club tournament.
In particular, no club should have a home tie for a final. Yes, Leinster are in an anomalous position, given that they frequently play in a national stadium, but it cannot be beyond the wit of an organising committee to prospectively book a couple of alternative venues before announcing a final or, as is the case this and other years, a stadium for a country from which no quarter-finalists have qualified, in this case Scotland or Wales.
Moore's comments on Leinster undoubtedly stem from how dominant they have been in pretty much every game this season and in their past two final appearances, Leinster played Saracens in Newcastle and La Rochelle in Marseille.
Brian Moore isn't the only person to take aim at Leinster in recent days and after Leicester's defeat in the Aviva on Friday, interim head coach Richard Wigglesworth put the gulf in class between the sides down to financial reasons.
Wigglesworth said:
30 points, big enough gulf. Leinster were the better team today, an outstanding team who are quite rightly favourites to lift the trophy.
One, they are an outstanding team with quality internationals and quality coaches that have been together a long time.
None of that is in question, but the gulf is in what you have available to spend. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong. I’m not asking to spend more money. I’m just being clear.
Despite the claims and comments from across the water, Leinster have earned the right to be labelled as one of the best on the planet because of the outstanding set up all the way through the province's ranks.
Even when travelling away from home, Leo Cullen's men have shown their ability in abundance, but if the Leinster boss is to take any notice from the column in the Telegraph, he will likely turn this into motivation to find a fifth Heineken Champions Cup title.
SEE ALSO: Rugby Fans Were Blown Away By Nonchalant Thomas Ramos Pass
