Leinster coach Leo Cullen is sticking to his guns with the starting XV that brought down Toulon, as they prepare to face Bordeaux Bègles in the upcoming Investec Champions Cup final in Bilbao. The selection has sparked conversations, notably the exclusion of James Lowe, despite the Ireland wing being fit for action. Instead, Tommy O'Brien, who is just off the injury list himself, will take his place on the right wing, joining Rieko Ioane and Hugo Keenan in the back three.
While Lowe’s absence might raise a few eyebrows, the Leinster bench sees a reinforcing with the return of tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and lock Paddy McCarthy, both recovered from their injuries. This strategic bolstering comes at a crucial time as Leinster aims to end their title drought, having last lifted the Champions Cup in 2018. Their recent attempts were thwarted in the finals by La Rochelle and Toulouse, adding a layer of determination to this year's campaign.
"It’s about the collective effort, and the guys coming in have shown they are more than capable of performing on this stage,"
The team is buzzing with a mix of seasoned players and fresh energy. The starting lineup sees Hugo Keenan at fullback, flanked by O'Brien and Ioane. Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Harry Byrne, and Jamison Gibson-Park form a dynamic backline, while the forward pack is anchored by captain Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, and Jack Conan.
Complementing the starters, the bench is poised to inject vitality into the game with the likes of Rónan Kelleher, Diarmuid Mangan, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, and Jamie Osborne ready to step in.
As the final approaches, all eyes will be on Leinster to see if they can thwart Bordeaux’s aspirations and reclaim their spot at the pinnacle of European rugby. With strategic returns and tactical consistency, Leinster’s lineup is a blend of resilience and tactical acuity, poised for the big stage in Bilbao.
Leinster's team for the final includes: - 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tom Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter. Bench: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Diarmuid Mangan, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ciarán Frawley, 23 Jamie Osborne.