'They’re running out of chances, this group of players' - Brian O'Driscoll

Former Leinster and Ireland star Brian O’Driscoll has offered his verdict on Leinster’s heartbreaking third consecutive Investec Champions Cup final loss.

One of the key members of the first Leinster side to win the European Cup, O’Driscoll is better placed to offer a perspective given the parallels between his team’s rise from contenders to champions.

Speaking on the Irish sports radio show, O’Driscoll discussed the age profile of the team the weight of missing out on yet another title.

“Nothing they can do about the three that have gone; the next one is the one before they start getting too old. Age profile: late 20s, early 30s, four losing finals now.” He said

“They’re running out of chances, this group of players. Of course, there’s an emergence of some of those younger players coming through.

“(Jamison) Gibson-Park, (Robbie) Henshaw, (Tadhg) Furlong. I know some of those guys have won (the Champions Cup before), but the years are starting to tot up. Josh van der flier is another, (Jack) Conan, all these guys are in their 30s now.”

“The baggage has to mount, it does, but they know they will have enough to get to a round-of-16, quarter-final on the quality that they have, the quality that they’ve shown this year, albeit not as good as the last couple of years,” he said.

“They’re really good pros. If they can park it and move forward, it’s always an opportunity. The next chance is the best time to win the European Cup.”