Many Leinster Rugby players have improved since last year’s loss to Stade Rochelais in the Heineken Champions Cup final, according to scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.

The Irish province was denied a record-equaling fifth star in Marseille, as La Rochelle snatched a late victory, but they have the chance to exact revenge on the TOP 14 side in Dublin on May 20.

Ahead of the final, Gibson-Park explained how Leinster has improved this season – both individually and as a unit.

“They obviously got the better of us,” Gibson-Park said. “Whenever you think of it (last year) it seems like the one that got away a little bit. They were obviously very good on the day and probably deserved winners in the end.

Your @TISSOT Try of the Round Semi-final nominees 🔥@StadeToulousain's Pita Ahki@leinsterrugby's Jack Conan (2nd)@staderochelais' Tawera Kerr-Barlow (1st)@staderochelais' Raymond Rhule (2nd)@ExeterChiefs Olly Woodburn

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— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 1, 2023

“A lot of individuals have come a long way since this time last year.

“Obviously, it’s down to a lot of hard work, but I think for sure, we are in a better place than we were last year.

“Our game-plan has evolved in certain areas. We have obviously had Goody (Andrew Goodman) come in, he has been pretty unreal in terms of our set-piece strike and things. Areas like that have certainly come on.

“The individual thing is pretty massive as well. The more we improve as individuals, the better we will be as a team.

“Ross (Byrne) is great with the detail, and he drives a lot of that during the week. It’s not just him, it’s right across the board.

“We have got an incredible group of leadership guys. They do an awesome job in terms of putting our plan together with the coaches.

Job's not over for @leinsterrugby yet...

Leo Cullen was quick to play down the hype, now can they go one better than last year? 🏆

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— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 1, 2023

“I’m not involved in that group so much, but for sure, I do my part in meetings and that kind of thing. It’s probably an area I’ve come on in.”

Gibson-Park scooped the Heineken Star of the Match award as Leinster thrashed Stade Toulousain 41-22 in the semifinals last Sunday, but he believes his team can still deliver a more complete display.

“It was tough going,” he said. “Toulouse are obviously a great side who play a pretty attractive brand as well. It was different preparation.

“I think the first-half performance was pretty good. We were pretty patchy I think in the second-half, a little bit of that is down to the weather probably, it started to lash. But overall, it was pretty good.”