Will Slattery

I think there's five changes to the bench versus the bench they had versus Toulon.

Ronan Kelleher is the sub-hooker.

Paddy McCarthy back for his first appearance since the La Rochelle pool game, which is a long time ago now.

Tyke Furlong on the bench as the replacement title prop.

Dermot Mangan, big opportunity for him

on the bench wearing the 19 jersey he has had a good couple of matches for Leinster Max Deegan who was suspended for that semi-final is back as the replacement back row Luke McGrath Kieran Frawley as had been fairly well predicted gets the 22 jersey and Jamie Osborne wears 23 so no place for James Lowen in the 23 he made his return from injury he started last weekend and did look sharp no room for Jimmy O'Brien that was probably kind of more well flagged just because there's so much competition there Keane what jumps out to you about the Leinster team selection?

on the low point a friend of mine was in the airport yesterday flying to not to Bilbao somewhere else on holidays and said he saw James Lowe in the airport with a couple of players who were injured so like I don't think he's in line to be involved this weekend as you say so maybe that explains why he wasn't around in that Capitals run sorry to cut across

Yeah, let me just go through the two respective benches from the final and semi-final just to illustrate, I think, the point you're making.

I agree with you.

That's the thing that jumps off the sheet to me here.

Like, this weekend, Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Tyke Furlong, Dermot Mangan, who's in form, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Kieran Frawley and Osborne.

For the semi-final, it was Kelleher, Gerry Kerr, who's had a good season, but, you know, was AIL this season as well, Ravis Lamani, Soraka, Scott Penny, McGrath, Sam Prendergast and Jamie Osborne.

that bench does seem to be a key difference for me this time around because the first 15 is so strong when you see it written down but that bench I agree with you that could be a significant boost for them this weekend especially as you say with the heat the bench I feel like will be even more important than ordinarily so because the heat it'll be much harder for those guys who traditionally play 70 minutes

Plus for Leinster, you know, Andrew Porter, I'm thinking like maybe that like in that searing heat, I struggle to see them maybe lasting quite as long.

Maybe I'm overthinking the heat element, but the bench, I think, to your point, will be vital.

Yeah, I expect McCarthy and Ryan.

I know I just mentioned I find it hard to see people going 70 minutes plus, but I just think those two will have to.

I just don't see a tactical substitution of getting them off any earlier than 70, 75 minutes even because of the importance to the team.

And as you say, like Mangan,

is a back row really and he's been playing great rugby the last two three weeks but I think McCarthy and Ryan their importance is even more magnified by this selection to me I think if those guys go well last the 80 it would be a huge tick for Leinster in terms of winning the game