Leinster v Bordeaux-Begles: Investec Champions Cup Final team news, predictions, match officials and how to watch
Leinster's Harry Byrne and Bordeaux's Matthieu Jalibert will face off in the Investec Champions Cup Final.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has announced his team that will battle Bordeaux-Begles for Investec Champions Cup glory at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Saturday.
The major call from Cullen is leaving out Ireland international James Lowe as Rieko Ioane and Tommy O’Brien are preferred as the wing options for the massive fixture.
Hugo Keenan continues in the full-back jersey while Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose form a familiar centre partnership that will be looking to get the upper hand.
Harry Byrne at 10
Once again there’s no spot in the 23 for Sam Prendergast as Harry Byrne is named at number 10, with the versatile Ciaran Frawley covering positions off the bench. Byrne is joined in the half-backs by the experienced Jamison Gibson-Park, who will lock horns with the outstanding Maxime Lucu in what is the battle of this final.
In the pack, Caelan Doris captains the side from number eight, with Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier on the flanks as Leinster look to add their fifth Champions Cup title.
Joe McCarthy partners James Ryan in the second-row, while loosehead Andrew Porter and tighthead Thomas Clarkson scrum down either side of Dan Sheehan at hooker.
Paddy McCarthy returns to the bench for his first appearance since January, with Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong set to provide further solid front-row reinforcements.
Diarmuid Mangan and Max Deegan wrap up the rest of the replacements in the forward pack as Luke McGrath, Frawley and Jamie Osborne complete Leinster‘s matchday 23.
Bordeaux team
Meanwhile, Bordeaux-Begles have named a largely settled line-up as they look to defend their Investec Champions Cup silverware in what promises to be a titanic contest.
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Lucu continues alongside Matthieu Jalibert in the half-backs while Yoran Moefana and Damian Penaud once again link up in midfield as Nicolas Depoortère remains out.
France sensation Louis Bielle-Biarrey is one to watch on the left wing and there’s a start on the other touchline for Pablo Uberti with Salesi Rayasi a real threat at full-back.
Up front, Jefferson Poirot, Carlü Sadie and Maxime Lamothe form a familiar front-row whilst their engine room consists of Boris Palu and Wallabies lock Adam Coleman.
The back-row is Pierre Bochaton, Cameron Woki and Marko Gazzotti, with Lachie Swinton, Temo Matiu and Bastien Vergnes-Tailleferon bench options this weekend.
Gaetan Barlot, Ugo Boniface and Ben Tameifuna provide the front-row injection for the closing stages while Arthur Retiere and Hugo Reus cover the backs for Bordeaux.
Prediction: Bordeaux-Begles by 3!
The teams
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Diarmuid Mangan, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ciarán Frawley, 23 Jamie Osborne
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Salesi Rayasi, 14 Pablo Uberti, 13 Damian Penaud, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (c), 8 Marko Gazzotti, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Ugo Boniface, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Lachie Swinton, 20 Temo Matiu, 21 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 22 Arthur Retiere, 23 Hugo Reus
Date: Saturday, May 23
Venue: San Mames Stadium, Bilbao
Kick-off: 15.45 local (14:45 BST, 13:45 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) 116th game
Assistant Referees: Ben Connor (WRU), Lucas Yendle (WRU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
How to watch: Premier Sports / ITV / France TV / beIN SPORTS / epcrugby.tv / FloRugby / Movistar +