'We've got the right people in the right places' Doris backs Leinster structures

Another final, another dose of European heartbreak for Leinster Rugby, whose drive for five was emphatically halted by a spectacular Union Bordeaux Bègles side in a 41 – 19 defeat in Bilbao.

Unlike previous iterations of final losses, Saturday’s defeat was not one that Leinster will feel they let slip. In truth, there was a significant gulf between the two sides in just about every facet of play.

Outside of the opening five minutes in which they took a 7 – 0 lead courtesy of a converted Tommy O’Brien try, the Irish province simply had no answers to the power game of their French rivals.

Delving into the minutiae of the contest, captain Caelan Doris didn’t sugarcoat his side’s shortcomings whilst paying homage to the victors who ensured the Champions Cup will remain in France for a sixth consecutive season.

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Leinster

19 - 41

Full-time

Bordeaux

All Stats and Data

“We’ve obviously scouted them thoroughly over the last few weeks and seen what they can do with quick ball, the pace they have, the varying skillset they have, their ability to capitalise on any sort of an overlap, and you’ve got to slow their ball down with a proper contest. We didn’t have that contest in the first half.

“It’s a bit of a cycle that you can get into. If they get one quick ball, they’re on top again and again and again.

“I mentioned the pace, but they’ve also got a very strong carrying forward pack, so we’ve got stuck in a bit of a negative loop of allowing them quick ball, quick ball, quick ball, and they’re away.”

On the topic of regrouping following yet another disappointing late season shortcoming, Doris dismissed any notion that his side would struggle to find motivation to go again next season.

“I don’t think so,” Doris responded.

“I still believe massively in the structures we have and the people we have in charge and the ability within the group. Like I mentioned earlier on, I admire the work that everyone has put in to get us back to this point again.

“Obviously, we’re on the wrong side again but I do believe that we’ve got the right people in the right places and the right systems in order to get back there next year.”

Turning the page towards his side’s next challenge at home against an in-form Fidelity SecureDrive Lions in the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals, Doris called on Leinster fans to stick with them.

“There’s still an opportunity to get silverware, as Leo (Cullen) just mentioned there, and the support of our fans, we’ll need them over the coming weeks.

“There are guys like Lukey (McGrath), a few unique figures, who are leaving us at the end of the season. That was a big motivation for us today and we’ll roll into this week coming and do it for those guys,” he said.