Leinster boss Leo Cullen insists they can return to Europe's summit despite their latest hammer blow Champions Cup final defeat but admitted: "La Rochelle had our number".
The Blues supremo has to pick his squad up after the summer break as, for the second year running, a season that promised so much has ended without a trophy in the URC and Champions Cup.
Today's 27-26 loss to La Rochelle means that Leinster have now lost three Champions Cup finals in the last five seasons.
READ MORE: Leinster and La Rochelle player ratings as the French side win Champions Cup
"It’s just maintaining the belief and get back to this stage. It’s so close, like," said Cullen.
"We have a group of players who come through the academy for the most part.
"It’s understanding what it like on the biggest stage, coming up against these big teams, learning is painful but that’s why we all do the work during the year.
"Stay motivated and stay hungry and we’ll get there some day."
Reflecting on the game, Cullen said that La Rochelle deserved their victory after the Blues got off to a sensational start - scoring three tries in the opening 12 minutes.
"It was an amazing game, I thought the guys came out of the traps very quickly and really clinical in terms of taking opportunities," said Cullen.
"Second half was a bit different, we couldn’t exit that area of the field quick enough.
"Too much continued pressure on ourselves, we are bitterly disappointed. Credit to La Rochelle, they stuck in there and came away with a famous win.
"It’s devastating for the guys, it means so much to everyone, a big thanks to the supporters, sorry we couldn’t get it done this year.
"Obviously everyone is bitterly disappointed.
"We came up with some big turnovers at different stages but then we weren’t accurate in some of the clearances so again, just that wave after wave of pressure. Credit to La Rochelle, they had our number.
"We had some chances at the end but weren’t quite clinical enough to take them."
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