"It means more every year" - Hugo Keenan reveals Leinster's burning desire to win the Champions Cup

In their opening campaign as defending European Champions, Leinster were beaten in the final in 2019. Saracens took the glistening crown from the Irish province, before the Londoners would then eliminate Leinster the following season, through a humbling exit at the quarter-final stage.

Over the years, Leinster would repeatedly try and fail to get their hands on the trophy, as the Champions Cup steadily established a hoodoo presence around Dublin. The capital city club would then lose three consecutive Champions Cup Finals, from 2022 to 2024, as Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle and the star-studded cast of Stade Toulousain would upset the Irishmen across a trilogy of turmoil.

The 2023 final carried an extra bitter sting, due to the home-turf defeat at the Aviva Stadium. Leinster's latest exploits included a dramatic semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints, as Henry Pollock's heroics booked the men in green, black and gold in for last season's finale. Leinster fullback Hugo Keenan spoke to RUCK, about just how much the Champions Cup means to the province after such ongoing heartache.

"It means everything." Keenan revealed. "I suppose the heartbreak of the last few years, it's hard to even say how tough it has been. It's definitely felt like it's meant more to us every year, we don't want to be putting pressure on ourselves, but we know the capabilities in the group.

"We know the talent amongst us, and that if we do get things right, that we have the ability to challenge every year. That's the beauty of being in this squad, I don't think it changes for this year again. So, can we get back on track in the URC and worrying about the next block of two games. [We're] Taking it step by step in that process, and getting us on track so that we're peaking in the right time of the year, I think that's important."

Leinster get their Champions Cup campaign underway this weekend, as Harlequins head across to Dublin for an exhilarating clash. Leinster have long been in pursuit of that elusive fifth Champions Cup star for the club crest, with the province set to embark upon a fresh chapter to right the wrongs this season. Whilst there is plenty of buzz around the new campaign, Keenan will have to take a back seat from proceedings until the new year.

The fullback continues to recover from a pre-planned hip operation, which he underwent after the British & Irish Lions tour in the Summer. Keenan revealed how it has been tough to miss out on the first half of the season for both club and country, having watched on from the stands for Ireland's Autumn Series and the landmark Leinster matches of the early URC season.

"It's after tough at the moment." Keenan added. "It's tough not being in involved with Ireland and even the Munster match with Leinster, games like that when you want to be playing. it's the same with the European Cup games coming up in December as well. You always want to be playing in these big games. It's tough to watch, but it's part and parcel of rugby, it's part of the plan and to trust in the process."