Jordan Larmour believes Leinster have been "just off by a couple of percent" across the last three seasons and is determined to make this year a success.
Since winning the URC title in 2021, Leo Cullen's men have been beaten in the semi-finals three years running.
In Europe the heartbreak has been even more acute with one-score losses to La Rochelle in the 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup finals, while they were beaten in extra-time by Toulouse in the decider last May.
In that match, which finished 15-15 in normal time, Leinster missed a late drop goal to win it, while, for Toulouse, Antoine Dupont produced one of the greatest performances ever seen.
"In the final it was probably our breakdown that let us down.
"I think Dupont got three turnovers in that game so that's a big area of focus.
"We know teams are going to come hard at us so we have to be red hot there.
"Our approach is, whatever opposition we have, we scout them, we break down their defence, see where we can attack them. We hold ourselves to high standards in training and games.
"It's tough, it's fine margins at the top end. The last three years we've probably just been off by a couple of percent and that's all it takes at that level."
The Dubliner has 32 Ireland caps but was restricted to one Six Nations start and one appearance as a replacement this spring and went on the tour to South Africa but didn’t see any game time.
He says he is always working hard to force his way back into Andy Farrell’s plans with November games upcoming against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
"Everyone has their own point of difference and I like to attack and try to beat people one on one, maybe that's my uniqueness," he added.
"I'm always looking to get better in that area.
"The way training is set up you always get chances to beat people one on one and another thing I've been working on is work rate and work off the ball, trying to get as many touches as I can during the game."
Larmour (above) scored a try in Leinster's URC victory over Edinburgh last weekend and starts this evening against Dragons at the Aviva Stadium (7.35pm) for his 110th cap.
The Welsh side beat Ospreys in round one but have not won back-to-back league games since March 2021.
"They’re playing with a lot of doggedness, came up with that win last weekend," head coach Leo Cullen said of the Dai Flanagan's side.
"Ospreys are eight ahead with five to go and Dragons are a man down.
"But they eke out a penalty, work their way up the field and then show great composure and come away with the win.
"Listen, it was hard to believe when you were watching it with ten minutes to go.
"Ospreys were down in Dragons territory so to manufacture that shows a team playing with belief and team spirit."
Flanagan said: "We're excited for the challenge we face in our first away game of the league season.
"Leinster bring everything. Ireland have just been announced as the number one team in the world, and I'm sure there's like 20 internationals in the Leinster squad.
"For me, it's about us. It's about us going out there, representing ourselves and our region in the best possible way we can, and improving week by week."
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