Leinster's loss to La Rochelle in Saturday's Champions Cup final was an evening of 'what ifs' for the Irish province, who will feel like they squandered numerous opportunities to relieve pressure in the second-half as the French side slowly clawed their way back from a 17-0 deficit.
Despite screwing up these clearance chances, Leinster could have gotten away with it had they scored any type of points in the closing minutes as they battered the La Rochelle line.
A try was clearly their priority as it did not look like they were actively setting up for a drop goal by working their way towards the posts.
Speaking on the Second Captains podcast, ex-Ireland winger Shane Horgan said he and Ian Madigan were 'flabbergasted' by the decision not to go for this option.
We flagged before the game that are the best defenders of their own goal line of any team, certainly any club team in world rugby.
They're phenomenal, it's very difficult to get over. You play phase after phase after phase, and you think you're going to score, but happens, you get turned over.
Should Leinster Have Opted For A Drop Goal Against La Rochelle
20 May 2023; Ross Byrne, left, and Jack Conan of Leinster after the Heineken Champions Cup Final match between Leinster and La Rochelle at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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"In their last moments, Leinster should have had that in their mindset and set up up for the drop goal, which by the way they were so close to the line it was a chip," added Horgan
"I was sitting next to Ian Madigan and he was saying the same thing, even if you miss, you'll get the ball back again, there was enough time for another chance to set again.
"So we were flabbergasted that that wasn't being set up."
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