D’Arcy: We want to win trophies

Leinster centre Gordon D’Arcy insists the province’s appetite for European silverware has not been lessened by their exit from the Heineken Cup.

The dream of a third successive Heineken Cup triumph came to an end when Leinster failed to progress beyond the pool stages for the first time since the 2007/8 campaign.

As third best runner-up Joe Schmidt’s team dropped into the Amlin Challenge Cup and were dealt a tricky quarter-final fixture away to London Wasps.

A pulsating contest at Adams Park on Friday night produced 76 points with Leinster running out 48-28 winners.

That result came on the back of a disappointing defeat to Ulster in the RaboDirect PRO 12 and D’Arcy hopes the win will put them on the right track as they look to secure a League and Challenge Cup double.

"This team wants to win trophies and we knew we had to kick straight back into gear and perform here,” he said after Friday’s game.

"I think we'd be proud of the attacking side of it (the performance), we gave away a few too many tries.

“But straight after the match, we're pretty happy with the win and getting through to the next round.”

The veteran centre put in a man-of –the-match performance, crossing for the side’s opening try and showing great hands to set up a five-pointer for Isa Nacewa.

But Wasps also had standout performers in the backline with wingers Christian Wade and Tom Varndell claiming a brace of tries each.

The London side were in contention at halftime, trailing by just five points, but Leinster took control after the restart, accumulating a 20-point lead by the hour mark.

D’Arcy was pleased with the way the team recognised the dangers of an open game and smothered the Wasps challenge after the interval to claim what in the end was a convincing victory in their first Challenge Cup match.

"You never want to let a game get that much of your control, particularly with the pace that Wasps had out wide.

“We saw that first hand with Wade and Varndell and others getting their hands on the ball.

"They wanted that wide expansive game, so we had to get a bit more structure on the game, and I think that showed in the middle third of the game.

"I've played here before and been on the other end of a result, so I know how tough it is to win here.

“When you win here, you really do deserve it.

“It was a great game of rugby and thankfully we were on the right side of the result."