While Michael Cheika brought Leinster back to the pinnacle of the league in 2008, it was under Joe Schmidt that a third GUINNESS PRO12 title was won, along with two European cups and a Champions cup, before Matt O'Connor sealed a third league title.
Captain Cullen:
Leo Cullen etched his name into the Irish rugby history books by captaining Leinster to the most decorated period in their history.
Taking over from Brian O'Driscoll in 2008, he captained Leinster from their second GUINESS PRO12 in 2009 through to their last European Cup, picking up a total of seven trophies.
He immediately began as forwards coach following his retirement in 2014 and was promoted to the top job after Matt O'Connor departed at the end of 2015.
His initial stint as coach did not begin in the same illustrious fashion as his captaincy did, but since an initial slump - losing their first two GUINNESS PRO12 fixtures against Edinburgh and Scarlets, as well as exiting the European Champions Cup at the group stage - they have won 13 of 15 in the league and are just one point behind league-leaders Connacht.
More promisingly for Leinster, Cullen has begun to bring through the next crop of talent to replace the golden generation which he captained to so much silverware.
Gary Ringrose, like Cullen and O'Driscoll is a product of the Blackrock College production line, is a terrific prospect at outside-centre and could fill Ireland and Leinster's 13 shirt for the next ten years if he continues to improve.
Josh Van der Flier is a tearaway seven, Cian Kelleher has impressed from full-back, while Dan Leavy and Cathal Marsh both have their best years ahead of them.
Greatest Season, 2007-2008 - third time lucky:
This was a difficult one, Leinster have had a few blinders, but for sheer knock-on effect and what Leisnter went onto achieve afterwards - as well as the grittiness required to come back from two years of final day devastation for rookie coach Cheika and his men - it goes to 2007/2008.
They started the campaign in indifferent form, winning just two of their first five games, including a 52-23 drubbing to Llanelli at the RDS - the Welsh region's first ever win away to the Irishmen.
But from round six, Cheika's men were irresistible, winning ten on the spin and marching towards the league title.
By the time O'Driscoll and co. claimed a 21-12 win over Munster at the RDS courtesy of six Felipe Contepomi penalties and a Jonny Sexton drop-goal, they were within one victory of the title.
Edinburgh managed to delay the coronation party for another week after the old Leinster nerves began to creep in at BT Murrayfield.
Contepomi struck the post with an injury time penalty which would have sealed the league with two rounds to spare, but instead they had to wait another week to clinch the crown in front of a full house at the RDS.
Newport Gwent Dragons were the unfortunate visitors that day as Leinster turned on the style for a 41-8 triumph and a first league title since 2002. South Afrian prop Ollie Le Roux opened the scoring within four minutes on his final Leinster appearance and had another inside ten minutes before O'Driscoll's offload sent Shane Horgan over for a 20-3 half-time lead.
Shane Jennings, Chris Whitaker, Cameron Jowitt all scored after the interval as Cheika's side ran out comfortable victors and at long last took a well deserved second league title that would prove to be the impetus for a period of unrivalled success at home and abroad.
Greatest XV:
Disclaimer: Contepomi is Leinster's record GUINNESS PRO12 and all-time points scorer, he won a European cup, a GUINNESS PRO12 title and his performance in 2005-06, as Michael Cheika's Leinster lost out on the final day of the season, is simply breathtaking.
His 287 points for that season is the most points ever scored in a single GUINNESS PRO12 season, he finished second in the try-scoring charts, as well as kicking 37 conversions and 57 penalties, both of which are Leinster records.
He would likely figure in a greatest ever GUINNESS PRO12 XV, but then, you could never split up Gordon D'Arcy and O'Driscoll in the centre and Jonny Sexton has won too many games for Leinster and Ireland to be omitted.
15. Rob Kearney
A rock under the high-ball, one of the cornerstones of Ireland's highly-successful kick-chase game. Girvan Dempsey started at full-back in 2007-08, but Kearney has been one of the first names on the team-sheet ever since
14. Shane Horgan
The powerhouse winger has more GUINNESS PRO12 tries for Leinster than anyone else, he was man of the match in the 2002 final and finished fourth on the try scoring charts in 2008. A tower of strength for province and country.
13. Brian O'Driscoll
Who else?
12. Gordon D'Arcy
O'Driscoll's partner in crime, the two dovetailed perfectly - D'Arcy providing the grunt and BOD the guile. They were at their best when playing together.
11. Isa Nacewa
A real coup for Leinster when he signed in 2008. He was a stand-out performer for five years before prematurely retiring. He has returned to captain the side this season and is leading them towards another shot at GUINNESS PRO12 glory. Scored two drop-goals and broke his arm in his third game for the club.
10. Jonathan Sexton
A two-year spell with Racing 92 has done little to distil Sexton's aura in Leinster circles. He almost single-handedly brought Leinster their first European crown. He scored 28 points, including two tries, as he brought them from a 22-6 halftime deficit against Northampton to win 33-22. He kicked 14 points in his final GUINNESS PRO12 before departing for France in 2013.
9 . Eoin Reddan
He has accrued 70 Ireland caps despite competing with Peter Stringer, Tomas O'Leary and Conor Murray over the years. He won a European Cup with Wasps before returning to Ireland to win two more with Leinster and two GUINNESS PRO12 titles.
1. Cian Healy
Jack McGrath has taken over as Joe Schmidt's man for Ireland as Healy has struggled with injury, but when fit Healy is Europe's premier loosehead. He has the pace of a back-rower without sacrificing any of the scrimmaging power.
2. Shane Byrne
Four lions caps and the best sporting mullet since Chris Waddle. He was part of Leinster's inaugural Celtic league winning team.
3. Ollie Le Roux
He only made 19 appearances for Leinster, but gained a cult following and was instrumental in their 2008 title-winning season, scoring twice in the clincher against Dragons.
4. Leo Cullen
His CV speaks for itself, part of three GUINNESS PRO12 triumphs and captain for three, he is now coach as Leinster go in search of a record-breaking fifth crown.
5. Brad Thorn
A one-off player. He has won everything - in League and union. Like Le Roux, he may not have played an overwhelming number of games, but had a huge influence. Malcolm O'Kelly deserves an honourable mention.
6. Rocky Elsom
Elsom made European team of the year in 2009. He claimed Man of the Match in 11 of his last 13 outings in the Celtic League and was named player of the season.
7. Sean O'Brien
One of the most destructive ball-carriers on the planet and is like a limpet over the ball. He has been one of Europe's best players for the last eight years.
8. Jamie Heaslip
Not possessing the pace of old, he has become one of Ireland and Leinster's most important leaders. Twice a Lion, he can influence the game like few others.
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