Jamie Heaslip has said glory in Murrayfield would add to the legacy this Leinster crop want to leave at the province - but is braced for an almighty battle with Connacht in the Pro12 play-off final showdown.
The Westerners have swept their way to the decider with a swashbuckling brand of adventurous rugby, edging past Glasgow Warriors last week to keep their dream alive.
Ireland No 8 Heaslip is straining at the leash to step onto the stage in Edinburgh Saturday evening, with the carrot of silver an obvious motivation.
“Bloody hell, it’s exciting!" he told RTÉ Sport. "This has been a long season. We started training at the end of June last year and to be plating for something after missing out on different competitions and experiencing that void, it’s terribly exciting.
“If anything they’ve been the pace setters all season in terms of the league."
"It’s going to be hugely challenging. They’re riding a massive crest, a wave of momentum they have form the way they’ve been playing, which has been a really good brand of rugby. We’re going out have our work cut out for us.
“If anything they’ve been the pace setters all season in terms of the league. They really made it challenging for teams. They’ve a great attacking prowess and defensively are astute as well. We know we have a tough challenge ahead of us."
Heaslip was part of the Ireland team that snatched the Six Nations title last year with victory in Scotland, and is hoping for a repeat of those memorable celebrations in a blue shirt.
"Turning around and seeing the pitch, I’ve so many good memories from this pitch," he added.
"This would be massive in terms of what we’re trying to do in Leinster, how we’re trying to evolve the culture, the group the club. It would add to the legacy players want to leave at the club.“
Turning around and seeing the pitch, I’ve so many good memories from this pitch.
