Barclay banks on breakdown savvy

If Leinster are to reach the Champions Cup final they will have to do so by overcoming one of European rugby’s most durable players.

When John Barclay joined Scarlets in 2013 he did so with his career at a crossroads. Dumped from the Scotland squad and deemed surplus to requirements at Glasgow, he went in search of a new challenge in the hope of reinvigorating his career.

Fast forward five years and Barclay is the last Scot standing in the Champions Cup as he looks to fire his adopted region into their first European final. But standing in Barclay’s way is a Leinster side who are widely regarded as the most complete side in European rugby.