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Grant Williams was targetted in defence by the All Blacks
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The 7 surviving players from Leinster's 2018 Champions Cup win in Bilbao
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Leinster return to Bilbao with more than just another Investec Champions Cup final in their sights, they arrive with the chance to reconnect with a defining chapter in the province’s modern history.
The 15-12 victory back in 2018 over Racing 92 arguably marked the peak of a golden era, and while much has changed since, a core group remains from that afternoon in Spain eight years ago, testament to the continuity the Irish province has enjoyed over the years.
By contrast, only Cameron Woki remains in the Bordeaux squad that competed in the Challenge Cup back in 2018.
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Now seasoned veterans as opposed to rising stars, the seven players listed below carry both the memory of that Champions Cup success but also the chance to force destiny’s hand and see history repeat itself in the sweltering Spanish city.
James Ryan
The Leinster captain was a young lock in 2018 and has since become the pack’s heartbeat. Ryan played the full 80 minutes.
Andrew Porter
Having now transformed into a seasoned loosehead, Porter was actually tighthead cover on the bench for Leinster in 2018. He came on at 66 minutes to replace Tadhg Furlong. Ironically, eight years on, the rumours are that he may transition back to tightead once more.
Tadhg Furlong
Part of the original front-row that dominated Racing 92, Furlong was arguably coming into the peak of his powers as a 25-year-old prop back in 2018 and got the better of Eddy Ben Arous that day.
Jamison Gibson-Park
Hard to imagine it now but the scrum-half wasn’t yet first choice in 2018 – playing second fiddle to Luke McGrath. He came on 61 minutes.
Garry Ringrose
A young pup in 2018, it’s wild to think that Ringrose and Henshaw will once again form the mid-field for a European final eight years on. The then 23-year-old played the full 80.
Robbie Henshaw
The Athlone man was already a key figure in the 2018, after signing from Connacht two seasons previously.
Luke McGrath
First choice back in 2018, the Perpignan-bound McGrath played 61 minutes before being replaced by the aforementioned JGP.
Leinster Rugby: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Harry Byrne, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tom Clarkson, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Jack Conan, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (c)
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Paddy McCarthy, 18. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Diarmuid Mangan, 20. Max Deegan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Jamie Osborne
Bordeaux-Begles
Union Bordeaux Bègles: 15. Salesi Rayasi, 14. Pablo Uberti, 13. Damian Penaud, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Maxime Lucu (c), 1. Jefferson Poirot, 2. Maxime Lamothe, 3. Carlü Sadie, 4. Boris Palu, 5. Adam Coleman, 6. Pierre Bochaton, 7. Cameron Woki, 8. Marko Gazzotti
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
