Caelan Doris doesn't believe Leinster will struggle with the scorching Bilbao weather in tomorrow’s Investec Champions Cup final with Bordeaux-Begles.
The province lifted their fourth title at San Mames Stadium eight years ago, with nine of this week’s matchday squad featuring in that final in 2018.
Conditions will be considerably different from that cold, rainy afternoon, with temperatures hitting 35C today when the province did their walk-through at the ground.
While temperatures are expected to drop over the next 24 hours, it’s still forecast to be 27C when the sides kick off tomorrow’s final at 3.45pm local time (2.45pm Irish), with the EPCR monitoring the situation, with the potential for water breaks in each half.
"Very different to back home but we have all played in conditions like this with humidity and temperatures right up there," Doris said this afternoon.
"A few of us were talking about how the Romania game in the [2023] World Cup was something similar and maybe a bit higher. You just get on with it.
"Obviously the medical and nutrition team will manage things. Just break it down to smaller pieces in your mind rather than one big thing you’re attacking. Moment by moment."
While those conditions make San Mames a very different stadium to the one Leinster defeated Racing 92 at in 2018, returning to the scene of their most recent Champions Cup trophy brought back special memories for Leo Cullen.
"Very good memories, and of this room as well," the head coach said.
"I think it was Isa [Nacewa] and Johnny [Sexton] were up here the last time, weren’t they?
"It was a great day for us in 2018 but that’s in the past now. it’s a totally different challenge now and a different group.
"Everyone has worked incredibly hard to get to this stage, it’s amazing to be here, a beautiful stadium and obviously steeped in a lot of tradition which we understand. It’s a massive challenge for us, isn’t it? Bordeaux are a quality team.
"We know it’s going to be a serious challenge but it’s what we want, isn’t it, to be at this stage.
"It’s trying to embrace the condition and make sure we deliver our best performance because that’s what it will take."
The eight years since that win have seen Leinster suffer final heartbreak on four separate occasions, including three final defeats in a row between 2022 and 2024.
What then, gives the province belief that they will break that run in 2026?
"I think our preparation's been really good over the last few weeks, I think the belief is there amongst the players," hooker Dan Sheehan said.
"Obviously Bordeaux will be the biggest challenge that we've come up with this year.
"It hasn't been a perfect year of performances but we've been growing all the time.
"I think there's full belief in the squad that if we get our performance out on the pitch and I think there's good hunger in it these days, enough motivation to do well."
Cullen has named the same team which started the 29-25 semi-final win against Toulon three weeks ago, with Tommy O'Brien and Rieko Ioane named on the wings, as James Lowe, Jimmy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour all miss out.
The head coach has been able to add to his replacements bench though, with Tadhg Furlong, Paddy McCarthy, Max Deegan and Ciarán Frawley among those to come in.
"We think we've a group that's highly motivated and want to represent the group, the staff, the wider playing group who helped us get to this point," he added.
"Only 23 players can be part of the matchday squad, we've a hugely competitive group.
"It's a huge privilege to be at this stage, it's what we set out to do at the start of the season and everyone is thinking about getting to this point.
"Is it an achievement to get to this point? Yeah, there's a certain level of achievement, but you've been around long enough at these games; they’re special, aren't they? They're just amazing things to be involved and we’ve very happy memories of this place specifically.
"Hopefully we have a great day tomorrow, but we know it's going to be a serious challenge, and we are fully respectful of the Bordeaux team and what they have achieved in recent times.
"But that's what you want. You want to be able to test yourselves against the best and Bordeaux have probably been the best team in Europe over the last couple of seasons."
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Listen to live commentary of the Champions Cup final on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
