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'These days don't come around too often'

Jack McGrath: 'It's just one more step for us as a squad.'
Jack McGrath: 'It's just one more step for us as a squad.'

Jack McGrath has urged his Leinster team-mates to "cherish and enjoy" Saturday's Pro14 final as the province go in search of a historic double at the Aviva Stadium.

With the Champions Cup already in the bag, Leo Cullen's men are now 80 minutes from achieving a clean sweep that has never been done before.

Before them stand the Scarlets, reigning champions and still smarting from their hammering at the hands of Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final. McGrath expects an almighty battle, but it's one he will savour.

"It's just one more step for us as a squad," he told RTÉ Sport.

"There's a lot of guys departing and we're very lucky to have a semi-final at home (against Munster) and then essentially a final at home. You have to realise those days don't come around too often. It's something we have to cherish and enjoy.

"What's great about this competition in particular is that there's been so many players used. If we were to go on and win it, it'll be 55 guys who essentially will have won it. That's what we want.

"We want guys to feel part of the squad whether they have one cap or 100 caps. We're a really tightknit group."

Leinster are on a hell of a roll right now. Seven days after squeezing past Racing 92 in Bilbao to lift the European Cup, they overcame Munster at the RDS to set up this Saturday's showdown.

There's been little time to celebrate or self-reflect on a terrific campaign - Jack Conan even said before the Munster win that failure to lift the Pro14 title would "tarnish" the season - but McGrath hopes the return of some big guns will give his team one last push to scoop glory. 

"We have guys that were out last weekend that are coming back in fresh. The likes of Rob (Keraney), Dan Leavy, Johnny Sexton. They'll bring a fresh energy and vigour and want to succeed.

"Both teams are going to know each other inside out and know (each other's) tricks. 

"Emotionally a lot of the time this season we've struggled with big games coming into smaller games.

"So for us coming out of the game last weekend with a victory was massive because obviously the game week previous meant to come and play Munster in the RDS was a huge battle. It showed the depth in our squad and the want to go on and win another trophy.

"Scarlets are so dangerous and they love to play; we know that. A lot of teams strive to play like Scarlets. They are not afraid to come to Dublin, as we know."

And for the fans, McGrath reserved special praise.

"We're always appreciative. Home or away, they're always with us. It's just one more step for them, down to the Aviva.

"It's going to be a massive day and one to remember."

Follow Leinster versus Scarlets in the Pro14 final via our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the News Now App from 5pm, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1'S Saturday Sport.

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