Horgan: let’s make even more history

SHANE HORGAN has challenged his Leinster team-mates to make history by becoming only the second side to retain the Heineken Cup — and believes Ireland’s World Cup heartache could help them do so.

Joe Schmidt’s side secured their place in the pantheon of great European teams by claiming their second Heineken Cup trophy in three seasons with a dramatic 33-22 victory over Northampton Saints back in May.

But Horgan believes it would be an even greater achievement if Leinster emulated Leicester’s back-to-back wins in 2001 and 2002. And as the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Sean O’Brien and Jonathan Sexton have returned to Dublin after their bruising World Cup quarter-final defeat to Wales, Horgan is adamant that Ireland’s pain could be Leinster’s gain.

“I would like to think that it is possible for Leinster to defend the Heineken Cup, but it’s an extraordinarily difficult thing to do,” said the 33-year-old at yesterday’s tournament launch at Twickenham.

“Leicester are the only team to have done it and that was a number of years ago now. That proves the competition is improving year on year and makes it very difficult to win two years on the trot.

“And the Ireland players coming back were very disappointed with the result against Wales. We felt they could go further. At 10-10 against Wales, if we’d got the next score, my money would have been on Ireland.

“It wasn’t to be but they’ve come back to Leinster with a very positive attitude. There’s a desire to get back. They’ve been training for the last six months and just want to play — they’re very well conditioned. They’re hungry and there’s a desire to perform. Hopefully Leinster can reap the benefits of that.

“I can remember coming back after the 2007 World Cup, and I just had a huge desire to play for my province. Everyone has that desire and I am sure they will contribute.”

And Horgan believes that in back row Sean O’Brien, Leinster have a talisman to rally behind. The 24-year-old was named ERC European Player of the Year for his performances last season, and Horgan is expecting more of the same from his team-mate.

“Sean has been exceptional for us and was exceptional at the World Cup,” he said.

“He was a deserved European Player of the Year last season. He’s very dynamic and physical. He’s a charismatic guy and always wants his hands on the ball.

“We try to get him the ball as often as possible and it generally pays dividends when that happens. He doesn’t like to stop for anyone and is a player to rally around.”

And Horgan admits he has no idea when he will return from the worrying knee injury that saw him left out of Schmidt’s 38-man Heineken Cup squad.

“The recovery is slow. I’m seeing a surgeon again this week. It’s hard to put a timescale on it this week, but I’m working hard to get back. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer.”