Dan Sheehan admits that Leinster's preference was to get another shot at La Rochelle as they chase Champions Cup glory.
The Ireland hooker came on as a replacement in last season's heart-breaking final loss as Ronan O'Gara's side scored in the last play of the game to earn their first European title.
The 24-year-old was not in the match-day panel for the semi-final in 2021 when Stade Rochelais also got the better of the Blues .
Yesterday's 47-28 victory for the Top14 outfit over Exeter has set up the dream Dublin final on 20 May for Leinster and their fans.
"It would be nice to get La Rochelle again," Sheehan told RTÉ Sport.
"That one hurt us last year. To get another swipe again especially here at the Aviva in front of the home crowd would be something special.
"The season we have had, the depth that we have in the squad [gives us more confidence].
"I think that our set-piece has been excellent so far this year. We are an improved squad this year we have that winning mentality and hopefully now in a few weeks we will come full prepped and be able to do the job."
Two-try hero Jack Conan said that Leinster have been frustrated since winning the title in 2018, falling short at the quarter-final, semi-final and final stage (twice).
"Leinster Rugby prides itself on its European pedigree and we really haven't been on the level in some regard in the last few years," the 30-year-old Ireland and Lions back row said.
"We’ve fallen short a good few times, 2019, all the years really, but 2019 and last year in finals.
"We’re massively excited to right a few wrongs and lads are in such a good mental headspace more than anything. There’s such clarity and calmness in everything we do.
"We’re able to stay neutral, stay in the moment and just focus on what’s in front of your face, be where your feet are and just worry about that.
"It’s great, we’ve taken a lot of learnings from the Irish set-up that we’ve implemented here and we’re not 100% at that level but we’re pushing to be at that consistently. Our forward pack in particular has stood up over the last 12 months.
"I know we probably weren’t at the level last year in the La Rochelle final but our maul and the scrum and our D in the maul has really come on in leaps and bounds.
"We’re disappointed to concede there in the end but it’s a fantastic test playing these big French sides, it’s probably a question people have had about us over the last few years that we haven’t been able to front up against bigger men but I don’t think you could say that [for Saturday] or in the last few months.
"We’re in a great spot, super excited, we are where we want to be."
HT LEIN 27-14 TLS
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) April 29, 2023
Three tries in the first half puts Leinster in control of this European semi-final at the Aviva Stadium. Dan Sheehan was gifted the third due to a wayward pass and a very fortunate ricochet. Toulouse still looking dangerous in attack with two fine tries. pic.twitter.com/3Tb4nIuuKF
On his try against Toulouse, Sheehan, who has scored five tries in 15 European appearances for his native province since making his debut in 2021, said: "I could see that they were set up to exit so they didn't have any blind wing there, I could see a bit of space.
"I didn't know if I was going to make it but it was an opportunity."
Asked if he felt his team were tested more this year than in last season's 40-17 win over Ugo Mola's side, Sheehan added: "I think last year was one of our best performances of the year.
"[On Saturday] we were good at times, poor at times, but I think the prep was great. The last two weeks, we had a good run into it.
"The lads went off to South Africa and we had a good squad that trained away and worked hard. We had two weeks to really focus on Toulouse and I think the prep was really good.
"We focused a good bit on set-piece and making sure we nailed the big moments. There were a few moments there where we get the five-metre drive and get the points, which was nice.
"I don't think Toulouse are that sort of team [that give in]. We looked at the stats during the week, they score something crazy in the last 20. When they put teams away, they come alive in the last 20.
"But they're always dangerous throughout the game. They switch up their style a little bit when you put them under pressure, they can start trying everything, very little breakdown, it's offloads, it's cross-field kicks, so we focused on making sure we were ready for anything.
"We probably got caught out a few times, like around the 22 when [Emmanuel] Meafou scored, but I think the prep was good."
Watch the BKT URC quarter-finals, Leinster v Sharks (Saturday, 5pm) and Glasgow Warriors v Munster (Saturday, 7.35pm), on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on the RTÉ News app or RTÉ.ie/Sport or listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
Follow a live blog of Ulster v Connacht (Friday, 7.35pm) or listen to live commentary on Game On on RTÉ 2fm.
