On four of the five occasions Leinster progressed from the semi-finals, they went on to claim victory in the final, with their only failure coming against Saracens in 2019.

Below is a list of their five semi-final triumphs to look back on as the excitement builds ahead of their clash with La Rochelle at the Stade Marcel Deflandre in the last four of this season's competition.

Munster Rugby 6 Leinster Rugby 25, Croke Park, 2009

Leinster reached the final of Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 2009 after coming on top of an all-Irish showdown with Munster Rugby.

Gordon D'Arcy and Luke Fitzgerald scored for the visitors either side of halftime before Brian O'Driscoll intercepted a Munster pass and ran the length of the pitch to seal the win in the closing stages.

The victory ended Munster’s reign as European champions, with Leinster going on to claim their maiden title after battling to a 19-16 win over Leicester Tigers in the final.

Leinster Rugby 32 Toulouse 23, Aviva Stadium, 2011

On their way to their second title in three years, Leinster overcame four-time champions Toulouse in Dublin.

Champions the year prior, Toulouse took the lead early on through a Florian Fritz score after David Skrela's penalty rebounded off the post.

But tries from Jamie Heaslip and O'Driscoll, along with 20-points from the boot of Johnny Sexton, saw Leinster earn a place in the final where they then dispatched of Northampton Saints.

ASM Clermont Auvergne 15 Leinster 19, Stade Chaban-Delmas, 2012

Leinster claimed a historic third title in four years in 2012, reaching the final that year courtesy of a hard-fought victory over ASM Clermont Auvergne in France.

The hosts led 12-6 at half-time thanks to four Brock James penalties, but Cian Healy went over shortly after the break before a Rob Kearney drop-goal and a third Sexton penalty completed Leinster’s turnaround.

The victory set up as monumental clash with Ulster Rugby, but Leinster produced a sensational display to demolish their Irish rivals 42-14.

Leinster Rugby 38 Scarlets 16, Aviva Stadium, 2018

It would be another six years before Leinster tasted victory in the semi-finals, with defeats to RC Toulon in 2015 and Clermont in 2017.

They bounced back from their last-four disappointment the previous year in impressive fashion, racing into an early lead through tries from James Ryan, Healy and Fergus McFadden.

Scott Fardy then crossed in the second half, before Sexton completed an 18-point personal haul by converting his own score on 60 minutes.

Leinster went on to edge out Racing 92 in the final, clinching their fourth and most recent Heineken Champions Cup title.

Leinster Rugby 30 Toulouse 12, Aviva Stadium, 2019

A clinical performance against Toulouse in 2019 sealed a second consecutive Heineken Champions Cup final appearance for Leinster.

Sexton was reliable from the tee once again, converting tries from James Lowe, Luke McGrath and Scott Fardy as the hosts outclassed their French opposition.

A 20-10 defeat against Saracens however ended Leinster’s 100 per cent record in the final of the competition along with their hopes of a fifth title.

When Leinster Rugby take on La Rochelle in the Heineken Champions Cup on May 2, they will be gunning for their sixth success at the semi-final stage of the competition.