Champions Cup Final: Can Leinster get over the line?
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What are the key storylines leading up to the Champions Cup Final?
The Pat Kenny Show. With Timber Living Log Cabins. Saturday and Sunday from 10am on Newstalk. Conversation that counts.
Weather's going to be warm, the sun is going to be shining, but many people, the only sunlight that they will get is from their televisions.
And their radios, Pat.
And their radios, of course. Well, they can be in the sun and listen to the radio.
Well, there's the garden option. If you're doing a bit of work in the DIY, if you're in the kitchen, if you're in your car, you know what to do. Off the Ball Saturday and Off the Ball Sunday on Newstalk, one o'clock every day.
Now, it is a fantastic weekend as well.
Look, Leinster Bordeaux starts at really 2.45. We've got commentary here on Off the Ball on Newstalk, Patton. Four wins in a row in Champions Cup finals, then four defeats in a row. So there's a lot of psychological hurt that Leinster are carrying. Three defeats in finals, narrow defeats between 2022 and 2024. Haven't played, to be honest, that well this season, but they're in a final. In a final, anything can happen.
They played a defending champions, Bordeaux. What do you make of the selection? I mean, the question over James Lowe, who's a man on any day of the week you'd love to have on the bench at least.
Tommy O'Brien is fit and he's had a really good season and he could be somebody that can maybe shackle BLBRE, who's the most dangerous player on the pitch from their perspective. And also, if you're going to bring Rico Ioane to Ireland, you have to play him. They made this mistake in the semi-final with Jordi Barrett last year. Clarkson, big day for Thomas Clarkson, getting a start at tight edge. And the key man, really, I know Gibson Park is the heartbeat of the team, but Harry Byrne, this is such a huge game, biggest game of his life. And if he can navigate it well, he gives Leinster a chance. Leinster, I think, had to be very physical. Talk about the rush defence and Nina Aber, the South African influence on it.
Bordeaux, like any French team with flair, they've got pace. They've got Jalabert, Lukaku. You've got to stifle that. And the heat will be an issue, potentially 27 degrees.
Have they made a decision about water breaks? Do you know?
Not that I know yet, but I think the option could be there. So yeah, it's not going to be the World Cup. But look... And the bench then does become an important aspect of the play. We hope that Leinster do themselves justice.
How has Leinster performed in past Champions Cup finals?
In a way, look, they're underdogs. Bordeaux, if any, champions, they've kind of coasted through the competition. The conditions will probably suit them better than Leinster. But just win is my kind of thinking. There's been so much pain and losing, you don't want it to become a habit. And for those Leinster players, they've had a lot of pain.
Ulster wanted to just win last night, but it didn't go well.
Well, you see, they're not even in the Champions Cup next year now. They conceded nine tries against Montpellier, and it was a comprehensive beating in Bilbao. But over 53,000 people there today for Leinster, and it'll be some game.
The Premier League ends with a bit of a whimper at the top, but a lot of trepidation at the bottom.
It's more about the narratives. It's more about the fact that Arsenal have won a title after 22 years and what that means. And they've got a Champions League final next week to look forward to. And also Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City after 10 years.
What is the significance of player selection for Leinster in the final?
Mo Salah leaving Liverpool. It's more other stories. Yeah. That are relevant. And down the bottom, there is still something to play for. We've got the Tottenham Everton game here on Newstalk tomorrow. Tottenham, if they don't lose, they're fine. But if they do lose and West Ham beat Leeds, Spurs are going down. So as a Tottenham fan, seeing Arsenal win the league, seeing Arsenal in the Champions League final, apathy.
It hurts.
Apathy is just such a massive part of my life now when it comes to my sports. Follow them.
Mind you, the Arsenal's win, which they were gifted at the end of the day by Man City not doing the business.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the key storylines leading up to the Champions Cup Final?
0:01–2:10
2
How has Leinster performed in past Champions Cup finals?
2:10–3:00
3
What is the significance of player selection for Leinster in the final?
3:00–4:44
4
What strategies should Leinster employ against Bordeaux?
4:44–5:19
5
How do weather conditions impact the Champions Cup Final?
5:19–7:04
6
What psychological factors are affecting Leinster's performance?
7:04–7:18