Townsend: Final defeat must spur Warriors on

Leinster became the first team to retain the title after streaking away to a 34-12 victory in the second half on Saturday night.

But the Warriors proved that they are serious contenders for silverware this season, reaching their first-ever final to build on two consecutive RaboDirect PRO12 play-off appearances.

Leinster have stood in their path for all three of those play-off clashes but Townsend believes his side possess the experience to march on to greater heights next year.

"The main thing is that we use this first major final to kick-on and get stronger," Townsend told the Glasgow Evening Times. "If you look at last season then we lost to Leinster in the semi-final and that gave us the platform this season to come back a stronger team.

"We have not only made our first final but we have also recorded our highest-ever league finish with second place.

"So now that we have done all of that, have that type of priceless experience in the bank, we will make sure that we make the most of it."

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