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"They're better than all of them" - Shane Jennings considers this Leinster's place in the province's pantheon

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98FM

08:45 28 May 2018


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Leinster have four European Champions Cup/Heineken Cups in their trophy cabinet, but Saturday was the first time the province has achieved the double. 

By beating Scarlets in the Guinness Pro14 final on Saturday, Leo Cullen's side added the domestic trophy to the European title claimed in Bilbao two weeks previously and means this campaign will be remembered as one of the greatest in Leinster history.

Former Leinster flanker Shane Jennings and ex-Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan joined Joe on Monday Night Rugby to look back on Leinster's 2017-18 achievement.

For Jennings, the fact this Leinster team did the double makes them the best squad the province has had.

"They're better than all of them" - Shane Jennings considers this Leinster's place in the province's pantheon

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"They're better than all of them probably in terms of they've done the double. We couldn't do the double when we played. We went close but we didn't do it," said Jennings.

"So if you're going to judge it on that, they're better."

But he added that the circumstances are different, adding that, "I think '09 was just incredibly special for me personally and for that group of players as well. And as the guys in Munster said, when they broke the duck and got their first trophy, there was such a relief and the want to go on and do more.

"'11 was just a spectacular occasion in terms of the comeback and then '12 we were quite comfortable, so they were all very enjoyable and the one thing that stands out genuinely was the days after the game just before you go off on tour or you go off on holiday where you can just celebrate each other's company and have a bit of time together to reflect."

Eddie also touched on the news of Jared Payne's retirement after a lengthy layoff due to migraines for the now former Ulster and Ireland player. 

He pointed that rugby union has become more violent and reminiscent of NFL over the years and that "it's not a good news day for the game when another player goes down with concussion problems".


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