Leo Cullen (rugby union)

Leinster’s supporters made their feelings known by chanting “one more year” after Lowe scored his two tries late in the 59-10 victory over the Lions in the URC quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium — his 70th and 71st overall — a result that sets up a meeting with another South African side, the Stormers, at the same venue next Saturday

Leinster ran into an inspired Bordeaux as their bid for a fifth Investec Champions Cup title was once again foiled by French opposition in a 41-19 defeat in the final at San Mames Stadium — a fifth Champions Cup final defeat since their most recent title in 2018

Since winning their fourth European title in 2018, Cullen and co have lost four subsequent deciders

Losing successive home semi-finals seems unthinkable, and while last year’s defeat undoubtedly heightens the pressure on Leinster to win, as Caelan Doris has conceded, that can be a motivator too, to play without all those regrets of a year ago

Bordeaux will now host Bath in the other semi-final the next day — whereas if Toulouse had won then Leinster would have been given the Sunday afternoon slot

Leinster earned a sixth successive semi-final appearance courtesy of Saturday’s 43-13 win over Sale in front of 18,839 spectators at the Aviva, a good turnout considering the six-day turnaround from their Round of 16 win over Edinburgh

Above all else, though, Les Bleus have illuminated this year’s championship with their pace and attacking grace, not least “King” Louis Bielle-Biarrey who has been spectacularly good