2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup – Leinster vs Toulon Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Leinster vs Toulon taking place? Friday 2nd April, 2021 – 17:30 (UK)
Where is Leinster vs Toulon taking place? Royal Dublin Society Arena, Dublin
Where can I get tickets for Leinster vs Toulon? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is Leinster vs Toulon on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Leinster vs Toulon? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Rory O’Loughlin, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Ryan Baird, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Scott Fardy, 21 Hugh O’Sullivan, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Dave Kearney
Toulon: 15 Gervais Cordin, 14 Masivesi Dakuwaqa, 13 Rudi Wulf, 12 Julien Heriteau, 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Duncan Paia’aua, 9 Baptiste Serin (c), 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Swan Rebbadj, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Christopher Tolofua, 1 Jean Baptiste-Gros
Replacements: 16 Bastien Soury, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Emerick Setiano, 19 Raphael Lakafia, 20 Julien Ory, 21 Frederick du Plessis, 22 Anthony Meric, 23 Simon Moretti
THE PREDICTION
Leinster bagged yet another Pro14 title with a 16-6 victory at home to Munster on Saturday and will reconvene the European Champions Cup in high spirits as a result. They host last season’s Challenge Cup runners-up Toulon here as heavy favourites to make it back-to-back victories having lost just twice this calendar year to Connacht and, with a rotated side before the play-off final, Ospreys. Traveling Toulon are stuttering in the Top 14 right now and have struggled for consistent performances. Their most recent 54-16 thrashing looks a little drastic but if they are not careful they could be in for a similar hammering here. Leinster may suffer from a Pro14 play-off hangover early-on in this match but should be able to cover at least -12 to win comfortably by the end.
