Cullen names Leinster team for Champions Cup final

Paddy McCarthy returns to matchday 23 for the first time since January

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Union Bordeaux Bègles in the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup final at San Mamés Stadium on Saturday (KO: 2.45pm Irish time / 3.45pm local time, live on Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach, Leo Cullen.

Caelan Doris captains the side from number eight, with Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier on the flanks.

Joe McCarthy partners James Ryan in the second row, while Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson will scrum down either side of Dan Sheehan at hooker.

Jamison Gibson-Park has been named at scrum-half with Harry Byrne at out-half, as Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose form a familiar centre partnership.

Tommy O'Brien and Rieko Ioane are on the wings with Hugo Keenan at full-back.

Paddy McCarthy returns to the bench for his first appearance since the win over La Rochelle in January, with Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong providing further front row reinforcements.

Diarmuid Mangan and Max Deegan round out the rest of the replacements for the pack as Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley and Jamie Osborne complete the matchday 23.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (82)
14. Tommy O'Brien (60)
13. Garry Ringrose (148)
12. Robbie Henshaw (120)
11. Rieko Ioane (14)
10. Harry Byrne (90)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (170)

1. Andrew Porter (147)
2. Dan Sheehan (86)
3. Thomas Clarkson (76)
4. Joe McCarthy (62)
5. James Ryan (108)
6. Jack Conan (177)
7. Josh van der Flier (172)
8. Caelan Doris (105) CAPTAIN

Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher (92)
17. Paddy McCarthy (15)
18. Tadhg Furlong (165)
19. Diarmuid Mangan (27)
20. Max Deegan (157)
21. Luke McGrath (253)
22. Ciarán Frawley (122)
23. Jamie Osborne (73)

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU).