Champions Cup final: Donal Lenihan's Leinster v Toulouse preview

admin admin | 05-25 00:16

It looks as if Jacques Nienaber, the new Leinster coach, has got his way. He was the guy that designed the 6-2 bench for South Africa in winning the last two World Cups; he's the guy that wants more size in his front five.

It looks as if Jason Jenkins will start in the second row ahead of James Ryan and Will Connors has beaten Josh van der Flier to the No 7 jersey.

Nienaber believes you finish with your strongest team, so if you're looking at a Leinster bench that potentially could have forwards like Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan, well than that puts them in a very strong position. The key is you got to be in a position to win the game with 25 minutes to go.

Leinster do have the Indian Sign over Toulouse; no mental baggage in playing against Toulouse that they had for a long time against La Rochelle. They have beaten them in the last two semi-finals but I'd be confident of a Leinster win if Garry Ringrose was in the side; he's the fulcrum for them in defence and attack. He is a loss. That said, they do have a strong combination.

One area I think that will be fascinating is the scrum. If Toulouse have a weakness, it's Dorian Aldegheri at tighthead and the question marks about his scrummaging. Andrew Porter (above), an outstanding loosehead, I think he has the capacity to do damage there. The only caveat I have is the English referee Matthew Carley. For some reason English referees seem to focus on Andrew Porter and his technique.

You go back to Wayne Barnes in that World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand; it also happened in the Six Nations with some English referees. It will very important for Andrew Porter to paint the right picture scrummage wise early on. If he can do that and get on top of Aldegheri then I think Leinster will be in a brilliant position.

Look, it's very difficult to call, somebody like Antoine Dupont who is a genius, the best rugby player in the world, if you take your eye off him for a second you're in serious trouble. You have the two best teams in Europe, an incredible arena in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that will be packed out. Personally I think it will be an honour to be there. I can't wait for this game!

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