Bernard Jackman says the pressure is on Leinster to end their trophy drought ahead of the start of the new BKT URC season.
The eastern province won the last of their eight titles in the competition back in 2021 but they failed to make it back to the final in the last three seasons.
Coupled with three consecutive Champions Cup final defeats, it means that Leo Cullen will be expected to deliver the goods come spring time.
"[They're] incredibly consistent, incredibly high win ratio during the season for the last three campaigns. But then knockout rugby, they've come up just short."
The province haven't been shy about flexing their financial muscles during the summer months, with prop Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett arriving to bolster the squad.
"Leinster haven't been as aggressive in the transfer market... since around 2008," Jackman continued.
"They signed Rocky Elsom, Isa Nacewa and CJ van der Linde in one off season and they won a European Cup at the end of that season.
"They've been quote cautious if you look at the quality of the foreign player that they've signed over the last five years. There have been good signings, but not ones that'd take your breath away.
"They've done that this summer and it ramps up the pressure on them, certainly in the URC. To go another season without winning the URC would be very hard to stomach.
"Realistically, Europe is where this squad will judge themselves. That's not going to be easy. Toulouse are a generational side so Leinster could be better and still struggle to beat them.
"There is pressure on Leinster to finish the season with a trophy."
Looking at the other provinces, Jackman suggested that Connacht will be aiming to qualify for the Champions Cup at the end of the campaign.
While Munster, URC winners less than 18 months ago, will be looking to regain the title after losing out to eventual winners Glasgow at the semi-final stage earlier this year.
"Munster will want to win it again, and be at least semi-finalists in Europe," the former Ireland international added.
"They won it by surprise - or a season earlier than they expected - two years ago. Last year they put themselves in a position where they had a home semi-final against Glasgow. They would have felt they were in pole position to go back to back but they got caught.
"The coaching staff are in their third season together. The academy is in a much better place thanks to the work that's gone in there.
"Gearóid Prendergast has come in and he understands the club game and they've their way of doing it, which has to be different to the other provinces. It's starting to pay dividends.
"They've recruited well without opening the chequebook because they don't have the same funds as Leinster."
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