The Irish province, who meet La Rochelle in EPCR’s showpiece game for the second year running, went down 16-15 to Munster Rugby on Saturday amid a last-gasp drop-goal.

A rotated Leinster side led at the break at the Aviva Stadium, where they will meet Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle next Saturday.

Jason Jenkins’ try, converted by Ross Byrne, who also added a penalty, saw them go into half-time 10-6 up, despite Ryan Baird seeing a brilliant effort ruled out by the TMO.

Munster crossed early in the second half to take the lead but Joe McCarthy powered over in response for Leinster in a pulsating affair.

Ciarán Frawley was unable to convert, though, leaving the hosts with a slender 15-13 lead, and Munster would snatch a dramatic victory with a drop-goal on 78 minutes.

Meanwhile, La Rochelle also tasted domestic defeat on Saturday as they were beaten 42-31 at Montpellier Hérault Rugby.

They too named a rotated team and were outclassed at the GGL Stadium, trailing by 25 points just after half-time before a late fightback softened the scoreline.

Martín Alonso, Rémi Bourdeau, Sacha Idoumi and Hoani Bosmorin crossed, while Jonathan Danty, Yoann Tanga and Levani Botia all made their returns from injury.

Leinster Rugby suffered an agonising defeat in the BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-finals a week before their Heineken Champions Cup final against Stade Rochelais in Dublin.