Ryan Baird: ‘Who doesn’t want the double? That’s our objective’

'Losing the final of the Champions Cup or losing in the semi of the URC, both hurt as much because you put as much time into both competitions.'

DOUBLE AMBITIONS: Our Lady’s School Terenure pupils Matilda Murray, Ciara O’Loughran, Rachel Davis, and Kathryn King with Leinster stars James Lowe and Ryan Baird, along with Leinster Mascot, Leo the Lion. Pic: Leon Farrell, Photocall Ireland

It felt wrong even at the time but repeat losses to La Rochelle in three successive years certainly ended any loose talk about the modern Leinster team being the province’s greatest.

Recency bias clearly overplayed its part in the 2020/21 and 2022/23 seasons as Leo Cullen’s side built up 22- and 26-game unbeaten runs. The first ended with a 62-7 loss for a callow side away to the Stormers, the latter with a shock defeat to Connacht at the RDS.