Shane Byrne believes Leinster must limit the impact of Saracens pair Billy and Mako Vunipola to come out on top of what he expects to be a closely fought Champions Cup final.
Prop Mako had been a doubt with an ankle injury but has been passed fit to play at St James Park on Saturday (kick-off 5pm). His brother Billy, who escaped with a warning recently for liking a controversial social media post by Israel Folau, is expected to line out at No 8.
Former international hooker and Leinster stalwart Byrne played the final two seasons of his career with the English side. He accepts that they are marginal favourites but expects points to be at a premium.
"It's going to be really hard to call," Byrne told 2fm's Game On. "Both sides are very comfortable, particularly Leinster, with retaining possession over multiple phases and making you sweat.
"I can see this being (a case of) the first one to blink. I think the points will exchange from the boot of (Johnny) Sexton and (Owen) Farrell to start the game and maybe just before half-time the try line might be breached.
"They both have excellent defences and very strong packs."
"Both Vunipolas being available is massive for Saracens. They play better when the two of them play, they seem to lift each other.
"That's a huge danger for Leinster. They really have to clamp those guys down and make sure no momentum gets going because once Saracens get that going forward ball, with Farrell steering the ship, it's very dangerous."
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Byrne also sees signs for optimism for the reigning champions however, who expect Sean Cronin to have recovered from a calf injury to line out at No 2.
"Leinster are going to go into this game with as full a squad as they've had for quite a long time.
"From what we're hearing Sean Cronin is going to be there. He's a tremendous players and he's very important to what they do there.
"The partnership of Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw being back in action is so important.
"It's great to have Johnny back but for me all the messing around with splitting that partnership up was madness.
"The two of them playing together are the best centre partnership around and adds so much to the Leinster gameplan."
Follow Leinster v Saracens (5pm) with our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News Now App or listen to live coverage on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport.
