Jamison Gibson-Park admits that the agonising Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle last season has spurred on Leinster this campaign.
Last year, replacement scrum-half Arthur Retiere scored a last-gasp try in Marseille to secure La Rochelle’s maiden Champions Cup title, denying Leo Cullen’s side their fifth.
Last hurdle
Speaking ahead of the final, Gibson-Park concedes the disappointment of the dramatic climax at Stade Velodrome was a bitter pill to swallow but that the loss has spurred Leinster on this season.
“It’s one of those things that’s mentioned all the time with great teams over the years, the way they use defeats and having it spur you on for the next year,” the scrum-half said.
“There’s probably no doubt that it has for us in getting to this point.
“When you work with a collective group to try and get somewhere, and you fall at the last hurdle, it’s hard, especially when it’s like that, a few minutes from the end of the game.
“It’s tough moments in the dressing room and on the pitch afterwards.
“You live for those moments where you get to lift trophies, and you enjoy those moments in the dressing room with your brothers.
“But the sombre feelings after a defeat stick with you as well.”
“Big carrot” Aviva Stadium
This season’s showpiece event at the Aviva Stadium gives Leinster a shot at redemption, this time in front of their home fans.
Gibson-Park adds that the prospect of securing the title at a sold-out Aviva Stadium has been a motivating factor throughout the campaign.
“Last year was obviously tough, having to go away to France and play a French team,” said the 31-year-old.
“The La Rochelle fans were out in force that day, like they always are, so I’m sure there will be a few of them that show up to the Aviva Stadium, no doubt.
“It was a pretty big carrot for us at the start of the year, the fact it was going to be here in the Aviva.
“We’re looking forward to it; we’ve got the chance to be in front of our friends and family and hopefully a few home supporters.”
Leinster adjusting to life without Sexton
Leinster captain Johnny Sexton has been ruled out of the final after sustaining a groin injury during Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam. His absence means that Ross Byrne is now set to start alongside Gibson-Park in the half-back position from the start after coming off the bench in last season’s showpiece.
While admitting that Leinster will miss Sexton, the scrum-half says there is little adjustment needed for Byrne.
“Ross has played all of our games this year in the Champions Cup, so I suppose we’ve adjusted a little bit to life without him (Sexton),” said Gibson-Park.
“He’s been such a big part of Leinster over the last, however long it is, and he’s an unbelievable player, so we miss him massively.
“But I think Ross has done a pretty good job up until this point.”
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