It was a case of European heartache once again for Leinster and former player Bernard Jackman says the latest setback is "incredibly frustrating" for all concerned with the province.
They were overwhelming favourites to see off Northampton Saints at Aviva Stadium and seal a fourth successive Champions Cup final appearance, but the English club didn't read the script and a second-quarter blitz handed them a 27-15 interval advantage.
The hosts pushed right to the end, but the Saints held out to win by three points, Leinster having turned down two penalties that would have levelled the game in the last five minutes.
After three successive Champions Cup final defeats and without a URC title since 2022 despite their regular-season dominance, it is another bitter pill for the province to swallow.
RTÉ Rugby analyst Jackman said that the boys in blue couldn’t deliver in their sternest test of the season.
"They were up against a team that hit them harder than they are normally hit. They (Northampton) were very smart and dug in.
"Northampton were incredibly good. Leinster weren’t anywhere near as accurate. They aren’t used to chasing a lead. They like to get out in front and the pressure game makes the opposition play into their hands.
"Here you saw a team that got ahead, Leinster closed the gap and they went ahead again. Unbelievable from Northampton.
'Absolutely gutted….massive disappointment, but credit to the Saints' – Leinster captain Caelan Doris reflects on a sobering semi-final defeat
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After the match, captain Caelan Doris spoke of the team’s huge disappointment, yet insisted they would "take learnings" from the defeat in Dublin.
With World Cup winners RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett in their ranks, and the experienced French prop Rabah Slimani adding serious pedigree to an international quality squad, Jackman says Leinster should be delivering more at the business end of the season.
"There are only so many learnings you can take," he said. "If you have the resources Leinster have – they are effectively the Irish team with two superstars and another top-class player – and they haven’t been able to get it done. It’s incredibly frustrating."
Former Ireland and Leinster back-rower Jamie Heaslip felt that while the home team didn’t hit the heights they would expect of themselves, Northampton were fully deserving of their victory.
"We said beforehand that Leinster would have to be at 80% and Northampton at 100%, and they were there or thereabouts. They (Northampton) were phenomenal and unlocked that Leinster defence.
"They had massive sustained pressure periods from Leinster and they were able to weather it and take their opportunity.
"They turned up as underdogs and delivered."
