HEC Final: Leicester v Leinster
May 22 2009
Just two heavyweights remain on their feet heading into 2009's Heineken Cup showpiece as Leicester and Leinster collide at Murrayfield this Saturday.
The experienced English step into the ring knowing these sort of surroundings all too well in what will be their fifth final appearance to the Dubliners' zero.
But with one trophy already in their cabinet after edging out London Irish, the Tigers will be anything but cocky as they know that Leinster will be an extra weight class up from last weekend.
The Irish are fully rested after holding back their prized assets for their final Magners League game, with Leo Cullen, Rocky Elsom and Brian O'Driscoll returning to the side alongside the likes of Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Horgan and Isa Nacewa.
Progression to Edinburgh's showpiece was richly deserved - their performance against Munster smacking of a champion in waiting - and one would be hard pressed to find a bookmaker willing to install Leinster as anything less than level par before kick-off.
Matching that Croke Park form is the challenge for Michael Cheika's outfit though, with many sceptical as to whether provincial rivalries can be transferred to this Anglo-Irish meeting.
Team selection for the Tigers sees Richard Cockerill recall Alesana Tuilagi and Martin Castrogiovanni to his starting line-up.
Tuilagi returns from suspension to claim a place on the wing, while Castrogiovanni is named in the front-row after sitting out the Guinness Premiership Final
They are the only two changes to the side that started at Twickenham, with Johne Murphy and Julian White named among the replacements a week on.
Saturday will be a special occasion for team captain Geordan Murphy and England international duo Lewis Moody and Ben Kay as they compete in their fourth Heineken Cup Final with the club.
"We didn't play as well as we could at Twickenham last week but we have looked at that and now we have the Heineken Cup Final and you do not get too many opportunities to win in Europe," Cockerill said.
"Leinster have a lot of established internationals and world-class players across the board. We have a huge amount of respect for them and I am sure they have for us too."
One to watch:
For Leicester: Long-serving full-back Geordan Murphy has led from the front since inheriting the captaincy from Martin Corry and is unfortunate to miss out on British & Irish Lions selection after a strong final few rounds. The Irishman's solidity under the high ball, returning class and general authority at the back will be vital against his countrymen.
For Leinster: His performance against Munster in the semi-final was nothing short of exceptional. More than solid in defence while being a constant concern when carrying and capitalising on their rival's mistakes, Rocky Elsom will be one that Leicester must look to nullify. Will it be his last game for the Dubliners?
Head-to-head: Much as it was at Croke Park in the previous round, the lock battle will be vital on Saturday. The Tigers possess the gazel-like qualities of Tom Croft alongside veteran Ben Kay while Leinster have experience of their own in Leo Cullen and Malcolm O'Kelly. One area that Richard Cockerill has surely targeted all week is Bernard Jackman's throwing, which adds extra importance to the English jumpers' afternoon.
Prediction: It promises to be one hell of a fight at Murrayfield and Leicester are the past masters of such arm-wrestles. However, what we witnessed in the semi-final at Croke Park proves that Leinster have finally found that steely edge required to turn promise into European silverware. The Dubliners to become Heineken Cup champions by a slender two points!
The teams:
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy (capt), 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Ayoola Erinle, 12 Dan Hipkiss, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Sam Vesty, 9 Julien Dupuy, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Ben Woods, 6 Craig Newby, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Tom Croft, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Julian White, 18 Louis Deacon, 19 Lewis Moody, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Matt Smith, 22 Johne Murphy.
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Chris Whitaker, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Stan Wright, 2 Bernard Jackman, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 John Fogarty, 17 Ronan McCormack, 18 Devin Toner, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Simon Keogh, 21 Rob Kearney, 22 Girvan Dempsey.
Date: Saturday, May 23
Kick-off: 17:00 BST
Venue: Murrayfield
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales), Hugh Watkins (Wales)
Television match official: Iain Goodall (Scotland), Tim Hayes (Wales)