Leinster's hard-fought 6-5 victory over Harlequins on Sunday set up the all-Irish showdown in a repeat of the 2006 last four encounter at Lansdowne Road.

They were crushed 30-6 by the eventual champions that day and are determined to step out of their domestic rivals' shadow on the European stage.

Munster, favourites to defend their crown, swatted aside the Ospreys 43-9 this weekend and have beaten Leinster twice already this season - scoring 40 points in the process.

"Given what happened last week when we were well beaten by Munster it's important that we make a real statement," said Kearney.

"There's a lot of hurt from the two games we played against them this season but we have to approach it like any other match."

Kearney, a contender for Lions Test duty in South Africa this summer, believes Leinster can take enormous encouragement from their bruising victory at the Twickenham Stoop.

The Magners League champions defended for most of the match yet clawed their way into the semi-finals with two Felipe Contepomi penalties.

"It was exhausting and everyone was very fatigued in the changing room afterwards but those are the type of games players enjoy winning most," he said.

"We really had to work hard for it. We're still only in the semi-finals but as a team we took a really big step against Harlequins."