The former Leinster back-row made 88 appearances in European Rugby that yielded three European Cup successes in 2009, 2011 and 2012 as well as Challenge Cup victory in 2013.

Heaslip also racked up 13 tries as well as nine Heineken Man of the Match awards and speaking on today’s show, he described the Heineken Champions Cup as ‘the pinnacle of club rugby’.

“Look, at club rugby, it’s the pinnacle and that’s how I have always looked at it and how the club has always looked at it.

“I remember when I first started playing you were looking at Munster being the guys who were setting the standard and we always aspired to be like them.

“So when we had a taste of success and had our run, we wanted to keep that going and Leinster are now aspiring to have five stars on that jersey.”

Listen to the Champions Rugby Show by clicking the link HERE or by using Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

Keep an eye out for more Champions Rugby Show podcasts in the coming days and don’t forget to watch Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup Rewind between ASM Clermont Auvergne and Leinster Rugby.

Our next special guest on the Champions Rugby Show is none other than three-time European Cup winner Jamie Heaslip, who discusses his love affair with the Heineken Champions Cup at Leinster Rugby.