The Irish province’s Champions Cup drought is even longer, with their most recent triumph in the continent’s top competition being in 2018.
They haven’t taken home a trophy since 2021.
The driving force behind their aggressive style, Stuart Lancaster, left in 2023, and Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber took over.
Last season, there were indications of a shift, but Leinster’s ruthless defense has made the Nienaber influence fully apparent in 2024–2025.
Horgan believes that the thrilling rugby that was played during the Lancaster era has been slightly compromised as a result.
“Leinster have fewer issues, but it seams they are still in transition. We are watching the Jacques Nienaber project take shape,” the former Leinster speedster wrote in his Sunday Times column.
“Free-flowing rugby with lots of tries is Leinster’s DNA, but it has been deprioritized for extremely defensive, low-scoring, and aggressive games. which is all well and well, but it increases the pressure to win the European Cup.
“Winning trophies has been Leinster’s top priority for a number of years, and they have stepped up their efforts with Nienaber, supporting his style.” They will no longer have the goodwill that comes from playing flowing rugby, though, if they lose.
Leinster are in a much better position than their fellow provinces, however. While the Dublin-based outfit will almost certainly challenge for trophies this season, they may be Ireland’s sole representative in the URC and Champions Cup.
“There has been a turnover of coaches at Ulster who are still finding their feet and consistency,” Horgan wrote. “Connacht are unhappy with how they are being refereed but that is far from their biggest issue.
“Their game at home to Ulster over Christmas was the perfect opportunity to react to Mack Hansen comments on refereeing after the Leinster game. Instead they delivered a meek performance that had nothing to do with the officials and everything to do with a lack of player responsibility.”
“Munster parted with their head coach Graham Rowntree mid season, only just over a year since they won the URC. It has left them vulnerable, never more so than when they lost 28-7 at home to Leinster after Christmas. They are crying out for the type of re-boot that is almost impossible during the season.”
Horgan also weighed into the Jack Crowley debate after the Ireland fly-half was rested for the huge derby against Leinster.
The decision to rest Jack Crowley for the game — the biggest match of the league season outside of the knock-out stages — was disappointing,” he added.
“Player minutes must be managed but not in that particular fixture and this particular time.
“Not only did it massively reduce Munster’s chances of winning, the optics were terrible both to the fans and the Munster changing room. It also robbed us of the chance to see Sam Prendergast and Crowley go head to head at 10.”
