Scene 5, take 5. Action.
After Leinster bridged a six-year gap in lifting the Champions Cup in Bilbao in 2018, no one thought that the sequel would take almost that long again to shoot.
The team was filled with Irish Grand Slam winners from that spring campaign and even though the performance itself in the 15-12 win over Racing 92 was far from vintage, the work done up to that point and the profile of the team suggested they would sooner rather than later add to their tally.
But capturing that fifth star has proved incredibly difficult for Leo Cullen, whose involvement today marks his eighth European Cup final.
Saracens accounted for Leinster in the decider in Newcastle in 2019 and in the quarter-final in 2020 in an empty Aviva Stadium.
And it was today's opponents who have been on hand to prolong Leinster’s quest for the last two years running.
Leinster, as they do today also, entered both the semi-final two years ago and last season’s final in Marseille as solid favourites; both times they left empty handed and heartbroken, losing 32-23 and 24-21, respectively.
La Rochelle only led for 10 minutes before the late try that won the final and Ronan O’Gara, who joined the club in 2019, says he still finds it difficult to get his head around it.
"There has to be disbelief at the final whistle last year," he said yesterday.
"In my head, there was days driving home going, 'where are we going with this?'
"Coaching is lonely, it's tough, you question a lot and then you get a return like that in Marseille.
"The first 60 minutes are, 'did this happen?'
"When you try to piece it together, there's disbelief. These guys, their wish list had a Bouclier [French title] first but now that they've captured Europe, they've got a taste for it and they love it.
"We want to go again. No one's talking about Top 14 semi-final because it doesn’t matter, all that matters is tomorrow."
Leinster’s path to this year’s decider in Dublin saw them largely untested with even Toulouse failing to stress them in the semi-final. Cullen and co expected and wanted a tougher day at the office but the French side quickly deteriorated into a rabble in a 41-22 loss.
French resistance, it was not.
Prior to that, the four-time champions, appearing in their seventh final, had dispatched Racing 92, Gloucester, Ulster and Leicester.
La Rochelle, too, boast a 100% record in this year's competition, beating Northampton, Ulster, Gloucester, Saracens and Exeter.
Because he has been out of the match equation since undergoing surgery for a groin injury in March, Johnny Sexton’s absence has been somewhat off the radar.
But it’s impossible to remove a player like that and not have some effect on the team.
Instead the star billing goes to Ross Byrne, an able supporting actor for club and country, but Sexton has been in harness for all of Leinster’s triumphs and his composure, decision-making and drive has always been a major factor.
"I think we’re in good shape," said departing senior coach Stuart Lancaster when asked how they match up in comparison to last year.
"I think both teams have improved from last season. That’s what makes it such a brilliant final.
"The development of Ross, you’ve seen on the international stage, he’s been a major part of Leinster’s success over the last five years as well."
The 28-year-old out-half will be tested like never before.
There’s very little between the teams at the set-piece and the breakdown and how it’s interpreted by referee Jaco Peyper will be key.
If the hosts can get on the right side of the South African early on then they can dictate the tempo and where the game is played. Moving the human wrecking balls that are Uini Atonio and Will Skelton around the place and been clever in contact more important than ever today.
Twelve months ago, La Rochelle, today looking to become the fourth side to defend the Champions Cup, were prepared to risk giving away penalties instead of letting Sexton move the backs with quick ball.
The Dublin-based side were forced into 224 tackles to La Rochelle's 88 and that effort against a massive French outfit told as they conceded 14 points in the final 21 minutes.
Leinster were outscored three tries to nil and for a team that ran in 47 on their way to the final it was a stat that stood out like a sore thumb.
"I don't know yet, to be honest. It's not that easy," was captain James Ryan’s answer when asked about kicking to the corners when the opportunity presents itself.
"A big part of it is feel, trusting your gut and instinct. We'll see how the game has gone, see how our set-piece is doing, how our lineout drive is doing and the way of all these things.
"It won't just be my decision, it'll be a decision I made alongside Garry [Ringrose], Ross Byrne, Ross Molony."
Leinster, after resting a number of frontline players for their URC semi-final loss to Munster, have made two changes to the team that beat Toulouse with James Lowe and Robbie Henshaw returning, while there are also two changes from the side beaten last year, with Byrne and Dan Sheehan replacing Sexton and Rónan Kelleher, respectively.
O’Gara, meanwhile, has made two switches from the side that beat Exeter 47-28 in their semi-final.
Former Ireland and Connacht forward Dillane drops down to the bench with Paul Boudehent starting at 6, while centre Jonathan Danty takes the place of Jules Favre.
In total, there are seven changes to the victorious starting XV from Marseille, with UJ Seuteni, Antoine Hastoy, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Reda Wardi, Romain Sazy, Paul Boudehent and Levani Botia the fresh blood.
The hosts are down as seven-point favourites with home advantage factored in but O'Gara, who played at Landsdowne Road 45 times for Ireland, is no stranger in Dublin 4.
"It's a home game for me too, you forget," said the Cork man.
"I have such great memories in this stadium, the minute I walked through, I was like, 'I can’t believe I'm here'."
It's almost too close to call but Leinster won't get a better shot for a while.
"A lot of them went away with Ireland during the summer and won a series in New Zealand," said Cullen.
"They've done some great things [Grand Slam] with Ireland since as well.
"You're looking for all of that experience to come to the fore now playing big games."
The pressure is on but Leinster can harness it into a performance for the ages and secure that elusive fifth star.
Verdict: Leinster.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Ross Molony, James Ryan (capt); Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala'alatoa, Jason Jenkins, Ryan Baird, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, Charlie Ngatai.
La Rochelle: Brice Dulin; Dillyn Leyds, UJ Seuteni, Jonathan Danty, Raymond Rhule; Antoine Hastoy, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Reda Wardi, Pierre Bourgarit, Uini Atonio; Romain Sazy, Will Skelton; Paul Boudehent, Levani Botia, Gregory Alldritt (capt).
Replacements: Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, Joel Sclavi, Georges Henri Colombe, Thomas Lavault, Remi Bourdeau, Ultan Dillane, Thomas Berjon, Jules Favre.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
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