Jordie Barrett will head back to New Zealand with a winners’ medal in his back pocket but admits that he would “love” to return to Leinster.

The All Blacks star completed a hugely successful stint in Ireland by playing a key role in the United Rugby Championship triumph on Saturday.

Barrett scored a superb try as Leo Cullen’s men ended their trophy drought by thrashing the Bulls 32-7 in the URC showpiece event.

Reaction to Champions Cup loss

Despite the Investec Champions Cup disappointment, which was ended by Northampton Saints at the semi-final stage, the centre’s time at Leinster finished on a high.

The 28-year-old was asked immediately after their league success whether he would like to come back to Leinster in the future and his response was definite.

“I’d love to!” he told Premier Sports. “Who knows, maybe in a few years. I’m gonna savour this experience, it’s been amazing on and off the field. I’m really grateful.”

He added: “We tried to use a bit of that motivation from Europe.

“Sometimes if you try and bite off a bit too much and almost try and win the double, you don’t win the competition that’s right in front of your face. It can be a bit disappointing.

“This is going to mean a lot for this group going forward, it takes some winning. Who knows how it’s going to set us up?”

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Barrett is contracted with New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2028, with his main target during that period the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but he has certainly left the door open for a return to Ireland at some point.

His immediate focus is the upcoming series against France after the All Blacks star revealed his scheduled return date last month ahead of those matches.

“I will fly home on [June] 19th and if I’m lucky enough to be fit, healthy and selected, hopefully I’m in camp for the first Test to play the French,” he told Sport Nation in May.

“There’s plenty to happen before now and then, so hopefully I can earn my way back into the side.”

Keeping in touch with All Blacks coaches

It would be a huge surprise should Scott Robertson leave Barrett out of the squad to face Les Bleus and the midfield maestro stated that he has been in touch with the national team coaches while in Ireland.

“Yeah, little bits and pieces, received some nice reassuring texts from some of the coaches, and they’ve obviously been watching a few games,” he added.

“So it’s just good to check in with them, I’ve spoken to a couple of them at length on the phone about various systems and what we could potentially benefit from going forward in New Zealand.

“It’s been a great balance there, some have left me to my devices and let me play, which is perfectly sound too. It’s all been positive.”

READ MORE: Leinster obliterate Bulls in URC final to answer critics as Jordie Barrett signs off in style

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