Stuart Lancaster has told how his motivation for a Leinster victory in the Champions Cup final is to repay his family for supporting him through “all the tough times”.
The former England head coach quit his role on the national side in 2015, after overseeing a disastrous Rugby World Cup.
Ahead of Leinster’s clash with Racing 92 on Saturday, the coach spoke about how that experience has impacted his approach to games.
He said: “I don’t think there is any coach that has gone unbeaten and I don’t think you have to go through that necessarily.
“But it certainly makes you more determined when you have been through it and come out the other side.
“And not just do it for yourself, to be honest, you want to do it for Leinster first and foremost, you want to do it for the players and the supporters.
“But from a personal point of view, you want to do it for your family, because they’re the ones who have supported you through all the tough times.
“My wife and kids and family and friends – that’s the motivation for me.”
A victory for Leinster against the French side in Bilbao would the be fourth time they have won the European Rugby Champions Cup, having last took the title in 2012.
It comes after the Irish team were beaten 27-22 by Clermont in last season’s semi-final.
Lancaster added: “We obviously took our pain last year in the semi-final and you never want to go through that, but perhaps it’s just part of the process.
“I wouldn’t want to wish it on anyone because it’s certainly been a lot more enjoyable winning games this season than losing.”
