It’s been a while. The last five years have seen Leinster achieve an unparalleled period of success with three Heineken Cup triumphs. But for the first time since the 2007-08 season, the province have failed to make it out of their Heineken Cup pool.

As Reggie Corrigan said on Newstalk Sport during the week, success comes in cycles.  But there were key moments during the pool campaign which ultimately proved detrimental.

On the Off the Ball Rugby Panel, Shane Horgan, Emmet Byrne and Alan Quinlan cited 9 – 6 home win over Exeter Chiefs as a missed opportunity.

The first game of the pool, Leinster should really have got a bonus point but in a nervy encounter at the RDS they failed to get any tries and were reliant on Jonathan Sexton’s penalties to secure a narrow victory. The failure to pick up a bonus point was a crucial factor in Leinster’s early exit.

Key moments

Both games against pool winners Clermont were also cited as key moments.

But injuries to members of the starting XV were also an important factor. Leinster were deprived of Brian O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald at key stages of the pool campaign.

Looking to the future, there is still plenty to play for this season with an Amlin Cup final at the RDS providing a nice incentive as well as the hunt for a first Rabo Pro 12 under Joe Schmidt.

But in the long-term, this is an important period for the province on the recruitment front.

Keeping Jonathan Sexton would have been an important piece of the puzzle for the future. But with the No 10 having accepted a lucrative deal from Top 14 side Racing Metro, Leinster will look to bolster that position as well as promoting Ian Madigan to the starting XV.

But Reggie Corrigan also cited a need for suitable backups at second row, hooker, inside and outside centre which means that the next six months will be vital in this regard.

 

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan