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Donal Lenihan: Leinster legacy on line in Champions Cup final

2 May 2026; Alex Soroka of Leinster and David Ribbans of RC Toulon contest a line-out during the Investec Champions Cup semi-final match between Leinster and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Leinster edged out Toulon in the semi-finals

Leinster Champions legacy

Leinster are not favourites but I'm quite sure that'll sit perfectly with Leo Cullen.

I think it's the final that everybody wanted. The top three teams in this tournament are Bordeaux-Begles, Toulouse and Leinster.

Bordeaux beat Toulouse in the quarter-final, which I'm sure Leinster were pretty pleased about but it's Bordeaux, they are the holders.

They have an incredible backline, probably the best half-back pairing in club rugby in [Maxime] Lucu and [Matthieu] Jalibert.

The incredible Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wing, whose try-scoring feats are just off the charts.

 Louis Bielle-Biarrey celebrates
Louis Bielle-Biarrey has scored eight tries in this season's tournament

So I think it's probably too simplistic to say it's their attack versus Leinster defence, but certainly that's going to have a huge role to play in it.

It really is a massive day for Harry Byrne.

There's been a seesaw battle at number 10 all season.

Byrne seems to have got that position over Sam Prendergast, who might not even make the bench at this stage.

The good news for Leinster is it appears as if Tommy O'Brien, who I think has been one of their most consistent players all season, there was a doubt about him. It seems as if he's going to be back in the side.

A lot of players coming back very timely. The likes of James Lowe featured last week against the Ospreys, but he might not even make the team.

Jamie Osborne was outstanding for Ireland at full-back in the Six Nations, but Hugo Keenan (below) is back and he is certain to start.

Hugo Keenan of Leinster scores his side's third try despite the tackle of Morne van den Berg of Lions during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Lions at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

So they have an embarrassment of riches.

Everybody knows Leinster haven't played at their best.

They've yet to really deliver an 80-minute performance. Their whole season comes down to making this final. They've done that.

When you look at the personnel they have within their squad, I think it's their defining moment with Leinster.

They've won massive things with the British and Irish Lions, they've won with Ireland but for their legacy, the Champions Cup is what will define them as Leinster players.

And I just have this sneaking feeling, not defined by logic or anything else, that this may be Leinster's time.

The temperatures in Bilbao could be up anywhere between 28 and 30 degrees.

That mightn't suit them. I think it's going to be a one-score game, very little between them.

But I just think that Leinster, particularly up front, and it appears Paddy McCarthy might be back on the bench.

They have that brilliant back row of Jack Conan, Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier.

That unit may prove the difference because if they can get on top, particularly in the breakdown, stifle the quick ball that Bordeaux play off, then Leinster might just sneak it.

It's going to be a fascinating contest.

Robert Baloucoune on the way to score for Ulster
Robert Baloucoune has been in outstanding form

Ulster's Top Challenge

[Having Robert Baloucoune back] is a huge boost.

He was outstanding for Ireland in the Six Nations. It's been a great season for Ulster under Richie Murphy. They have a good young side.

They play brilliant rugby but unfortunately, really due to a run of injuries, it's unravelled a little bit over the last month or so.

Losing Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, who's been just named Ireland's Player of the Year, and then having their captain Iain Henderson suspended, is really untimely, especially against a team as powerful as Montpellier.

To put it in perspective, Montpellier are second in the Top 14 in France, which as we know is a massively competitive league, Bordeaux are in fifth place.

I just feel, unfortunately, Montpellier may just have too much power for this Ulster side.

Donal Lenihan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland


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Follow a live blog of Ulster v Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final (Friday, 8pm) and Leinster v Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup final (Saturday, 2.45pm) on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app.

Listen to live commentary of the Champions Cup final on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.

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