Leinster feel that they can put the disappointment of another lost Investec Champions Cup behind them by getting a good win over the Fidelity Securedrive Lions this weekend in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal in Dublin, and perhaps then there will be something to celebrate.
The doom and gloom over the camp has been evident since they lost their fifth European final in six years and there have been active calls for change in the coaching group because of their continued failure.
And while the Lions will be hoping for a hangover to pounce on, Leinster will be looking to put that game behind them as quickly as possible by moving into the semifinals to try and defend their URC crown.
Irish international Andrew Porter confirmed this, saying it was exceptional that they at least had another game to look forward to, rather than sit and dwell on the past.
“We're incredibly lucky that we still have something to play for,” Porter said.
“We're throwing everything into this weekend and there's still a trophy to be won. We're leaving no stone unturned this week. I know it'll be a tough game but we're ready to flip the page and we're getting excited about it already.”
Porter said he wasn’t a player who would replay the previous game in his head, but preferred to get back onto the field to try and erase the memories of Bilbao.
“Seeing it once is kind of enough. We felt it straight after the game, what we missed,” he explained.
“It was good to get the review done today and get what we can from it because there's so much to play for still this season. We have a big game this weekend, hopefully two more as well. I think it's about dusting yourself off and getting back to it and getting back to know what we know we can do well, and that'll keep us in good stead.
“We want to have something to celebrate, that's what we're chasing. We're chasing the URC trophy now and we have to throw everything into it. We can't reflect too long and feel sorry for ourselves. You have to turn the page and switch the mindset onto the next game and that's the thing, we're incredibly lucky that we do have another trophy to go after.
“We know from last year how that win at the end of the season put a bit of a brighter spin on the end of the year. It's incredibly exciting to be able to go back out and have something to play for.”
Leinster will name their side for the clash on Friday