Teddy Thomas v Isa Nacewa
Any apprehension among Leinster supporters is likely to centre on the presence of the 24-year-old winger and his previous form against Irish teams this season.
Thomas signalled his intent in the Champions Cup pool outing at home to Munster and Ireland were one of his Six Nations victims before he was suspended by Les Bleus for disciplinary issues.
Munster head coach Johann van Graan will have nightmares about the opening 21 minutes of the semi-final in Bordeaux and Thomas' ability to cut inside, or work the outside channel, make him a most dangerous proposition.
Leinster captain Isa Nacewa will be up against the French juggernaut on the opposite wing in his final European performance, but even if the one-cap Fiji international has lost a yard of pace, he remains resolute as ever in defensive.
Combine this with his natural attacking instincts and Thomas can expect closer attention than his last outing against Irish opposition.
Kicking game
This is particularly pertinent with Teddy Thomas loitering with intent. Munster paid a heavy price for a loose kick chase in their quest to reach the decider in Bilbao, and Leinster management will have pored over the video analysis to drill into their charges that they need to be disciplined throughout.
It is also imperative that the back three work as a tight defensive line to stifle any counter-attacks as Thomas and fellow winger Virimi Vakatawa are unlikely to require second invitations.
Johnny Sexton’s kicking game is among the best in the world, so any loose kicking isn’t likely to come from the number 10. Unlike Ian Keatley in Bordeaux, Sexton is likely to take the bulk of the kicking responsibility.
On the flip side, greater responsibility will fall on the shoulders of South African Pat Lambie, who again gets the nod over two-time World Cup winner Dan Carter.
The absence of Maxime Machenaud is a significant loss in terms of their kicking – and place kicking – game, though Lambie has been the more understated half-back partner in a team that has motored along nicely to the final.
On the face of it, you would expect a South African 10 to be more concerned about territory, but he has played a significant part in unleashing a talented backline throughout the campaign, and it is difficult to see them changing tack drastically on Saturday.
Battle of the locks
It is hard to imagine a better balanced second row than the one at Racing’s disposal.
Donnacha Ryan has brought the organisation, aggression and passion that made him such a firm favourite among Munster supporters, while beside him will be Leone Nakarwa, a man who would be in pole position to land European Player of the Year if the Parisian prevails. Maxime Machenaud is the other Racing nominee, while Scott Fardy, Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong are the Leinster representatives.
Nakarawa’s talent shows no signs of slowing down. Man of the match in the 2015 Pro12 final, the same year he topped the offloads charts in the Champions Cup (25), the 30-year-old leads the way again this year with 20 and counting.
So much of their attacking game centres around his carrying ability, and is the talisman in the pack.
Leinster too have a well-matched partnership, with Devin Toner the lineout technician and James Ryan the more effective presence on the ball.
This will be the sternest test they face this season and should they even break even, it will go a long way to ensuring Ryan’s incredible record of never losing a professional game of rugby continues into at least a 21st game.
In reserve
On paper at least, Racing 92 appear to have huge attacking weapons to draw on should they require them in the second half. Arguably the finest out-half to ever grace the game, Dan Carter, and his former All Blacks team-mate, Joe Rokocoko, boast 180 Test caps between them, but will have to make do with jerseys 22 and 23.
Undoubtedly their best days are behind them, but they could provide a boost if introduced, while Rokocoko has seen off the challenge of Juan Imoff to make the match-day 23.
The unheralded Teddy Iribaren gets the opportunity to showcase his talent in Machenaud’s absence, though should anything happen the uncapped 20-year-old, Antoine Gibert, just five months out of his teenage years, is his back-up on the bench.
Leinster’s 16-23 has a strong look to it, though James Lowe again misses out altogether. Jack McGrath, not for the first time this year, loses out to Cian Healy on the big day, while Rhys Ruddock will be keen to get game time after another recent injury lay-off.
Joey Carbery is becoming well accustomed to the role of "impact player" and could likely have a significant influence on the contest if it is a one or two score game coming towards 80 minutes.
Good start half the battle
Two of Leinster’s previous three final victories have come from a position of being behind at the interval – the 22-6 deficit to Northampton well fabled at this stage – but a start like Racing experienced against Munster would be a huge challenge for Cullen’s side to overcome.
Unbeaten in Europe all season, Leinster are used to being in a position of ascendancy, but Racing have shown in Europe, and particularly domestically, that when they get their noses in front, they generally have the nous to stay there.
Bernard Jackman spoke this week how Leinster's superior fitness should be enough to see them over the line, but added that should Racing 92 get off to a flyer, it will change the dynamic of the encounter.
A good start really should be half the battle for Nacewa and co.
Follow Leinster versus Racing 92 in the Champions Cup final via our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the News Now App from 4pm, or listen to live coverage on RTÉ Radio 1 as Saturday Sport comes from Bilbao.
