ENQUIRING REPORTER:

Who will win the Heineken Cup final?

Tony McGahan (Munster coach)

“IT will be a fantastic clash of two different rugby cultures.

Leicester Tigers are a great cup team, they have been to the final countless times and they know what it is all about and what you need to do to win these high pressure games.

Their track record of back-to- back final wins in 2001 and 2002 just about says it all, that they have proved in the tightest and toughest games that they have got what it takes to do the job so it would be hard to bet against them.

But, having just played Leinster in the semi-final at Croke Park, they proved they are in great form right now. They had to dig deep in the quarter-finals against Harlequins and then put in a very strong performance against us. They are two great sides and that should make for a great final.”

Lionel Nallet (France and Castres Olympique captain)

“THIS is a tough one to call. However, from what I have seen, I would have to say Leinster have the better chance.

As one of our Pool Two opponents this season I can say they are a very complete team with quality players throughout the side. Despite not getting past the semi-final stage before, they have still been among the biggest teams in Europe for quite some time and beating Munster in the semis at Croke Park says it all.

Irish rugby has been at the forefront of the European game recently and their first Grand Slam for over 60 years showed how fit their players are and must have given a huge boost to the way the Irish provinces perform – and that definitely includes Leinster.

It’s clear they have got both guts and talent and the British & Irish Lions call for players like Luke Fitzgerald and Brian O’Driscoll emphasises just how good those players are.

It’s good to see Brian back in great shape and playing at the top of his game and, even without Felipe Contepomi, it seems that Johnny Sexton can fill that gap without any real concern. So I believe that Leinster, who are so well led by Leo Cullen, have got all the assets to go all the way.

Although they didn’t perform at their best in the Pool stages – for example they lost against us at Stade Pierre Antoine – just like all big teams they have the ability to react and improve quickly and this is one of their biggest strengths. Maybe losing against us gave them the boost they needed to get back on track and become stronger than ever so I’m not at all surprised that they are in the final and that is a great reward for all their efforts.”

Dai Young (Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby)

“IT is a really tough call but I just have the feeling Leicester Tigers will edge it as they always rise to the big occasion and have proved time and time again that they know how to win when the going gets tough. Leinster have the quality in their back line – world class players like a revitalised Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy and Luke Fitzgerald – and it promises to be a fascinating contest of Leinster’s runners against Leicester’s more dogged approach.

And while people would have said before the Croke Park semi-final against Munster that they would not have been able to cope up front, in the event they not only matched Munster but their superb defence also denied the champions a try.

However, no-one should bet against Leicester. They are such a tenacious team, mentally and physically, and a really tough team to tame. As I said, they know how to win the tight games.

Just look at a couple of their Heineken Cup performances – in the 2002 final against Munster and in the semi-final against us earlier this month – for the proof that they really are the past masters of these high pressure occasions.”

Sean Holley (Ospreys coach)

“MY gut feeling is Leicester Tigers will win the Heineken Cup.

We know from first hand experience that they are a fantastic cup side who will fight all the way to the bitter end, they never give up.

We’ve played a lot against them in the past couple of seasons in Europe and we found them to be difficult opponents – although we showed we can beat them as we did in the 2008 EDF Energy Cup final and in this season’s group stages of the Heineken Cup.

That will give Leinster confidence and they will be extremely dangerous – and it would be nice to see a Magners League side victorious and crowned the champions of Europe.

But that said, I’m also mindful that Leinster have already had a massive ‘cup final’ of their own after beating Munster in the semi-final.

So, with Leicester’s experience on the biggest stage, I believe that will hold them in good stead to win the final in Edinburgh in what promises to be a great match.”