Cian Healy reckons winning the RaboDirect PRO12 would give Leinster’s British & Irish Lions contingent a selection boost.
Leinster, who boast six Lions, face Ulster in the competition’s final on Friday night.
It has previously been suggested that those already with the Lions have an advantage in terms of selection.
And while Healy accepts that point, he reckons lifting silverware would also provide a considerable boost.
“They have an advantage but they’re at a disadvantage of not being in another final,” said Healy.
“You can look at it from any way. We’re in a final for Leinster, we’re paying that a lot of respect.
“When we get into Lions we will be complete professionals, we’ll be sitting down, learning the moves and be up to scratch come training time and that’s that.”
The latecomers to the Lions squad will undoubtedly be playing catch up but Healy is more than ready to hit the books to master set-piece tactics and plays.
“I’m alright on learning moves,” said Healy.
“I can sit myself down and go through a play-book.
“That’s the thing. There is a play-book there. We don’t have to go out and walk through each and every move.
“Some places don’t use a play-book and you have to do repetition to learn. These ones, we can read them, we can know where we’re supposed to be and can run it straight off.”
Leinster lost to the Ospreys in the final of the PRO12 last season and failed to defend their Heineken Cup crown.
Ulster have already completed a regular season double over the Dubliners and Healy admits another defeat would be hard to stomach.
“Leinster to lose this final would be devastating,” added Healy. “It doesn’t matter what the opposition is.
“Losing a final is terrible, something we don’t want to do. We’ve been working hard on our moves, where we’re supposed to be and what we’re supposed to do.
“In the last couple of years, there’s been success bred into Leinster. We want to win and continuously be the best, play the best, to have good moves and have players knowing what they’re doing.
“When that doesn’t come off, if we don’t come out of a game with the win or not playing well, that’s something that sticks.”
