Leinster’s Lions’ hopefuls now face anxious wait after defeat in France

Some who may have thought they had done enough to make the plane for South Africa may now find themselves back in the midst of the unquestionable number of 50-50 decisions facing Warren Gatland

HARD LUCK: Leinster are applauded from the pitch after the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final loss to La Rochelle at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. Leo Cullen says it’s about making sure Leinster are better when they get this opportunity again. Picture: Julien Poupart

Whatever the team, semi-final defeats always give way to a period of navel-gazing, hand-wringing and wondering what might have been.

Those inside the Leinster organisation will be no exception to that in the aftermath of Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup last-four defeat, particularly given the feeling expressed by head coach Leo Cullen in the immediate post-match debrief following their 32-23 loss at La Rochelle that his players “are gutted because they know there’s more in them”.