Leinster preparing for a Test match arm-wrestle in the Tigers' den

As Leicester plug five key internationals back into the circuit board, Leo Cullen's decision to lean on Harry Byrne at No.10 tells us plenty

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025 - 06:31

Brendan O'Brien

Some of Leicester’s big Test players have been signposting this Investec Champions Cup pool game as a Test match in all but name, so it’s encouraging to see the Tigers plug five key internationals back into the circuit board.

The England trio of Freddie Steward, Joe Heyes and Jamie Blamire all return after being rested for the opening loss away to La Rochelle last weekend. So does the Welsh pair of Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith.

Personnel aside, Leo Cullen knows what to expect from the hosts in a ground he called home for two years in the mid-noughties.

“It's still based on strong fundamentals, isn't it? Like, scrum, setpiece, lineout maul … It’s been a bit of a disjointed start to the season, as we know, and there has been a bit of chopping and changing in their team as well," Cullen said.

“They still have the same attack coach as they had last year, so they have some continuity there. James O'Connor has obviously come in. He's played a couple of games, very experienced player, playing for Australia…

“But they still will kick a lot from nine, a very strong aerial game, both wingers are very quick fellas, so good in the air. We expect that aerial bombardment coming our way so [it's about] making sure we deal with that.”

Cullen still remembers the trip to Leicester for a quarter-final in 2022 when, on a bone dry day, the pitch had been watered to negate the visitors’ attacking game. The forecast is dry again but the ground itself is tight and a physical evening is expected.

Maybe that’s part of the reason why Harry Byrne has been given the nod in the No.10 jersey for this one. Sam Prendergast’s defence isn’t his strong suit, after all, but Byrne has been in excellent form in recent months and deserves his shot.

Rotation, Cullen explained.

Like the Tigers, who have the likes of the Chessum brothers and Jack van Poortvliet on a casualty list stretching to 14 players, Leinster have had some changes forced upon them following their opening win at home to Harlequins.

There are six alterations in all and you wouldn't say they're any the weaker for them. Rieko Ioane and James Lowe are other introductions to the back line while Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong and James Ryan take their places up front.

This is Leinster’s third trip to the East Midlands hotbed in four seasons. The previous two ended with wins, one on the comprehensive side, the other more of an arm-wrestle. Formlines suggest this might be a case of the latter.

Leicester Tigers: F Steward; A Radwan, W Wand, S Kata, O Hassell-Collins; B Searle, T Whiteley; N Smith, J Blamire, J Heyes; C Henderson, H Wells; J Thompson, T Reffell, J Moro.

Replacements: F Theobold-Thomas, A van der Flier, W Hurd, T Manz, S Williams, O Allan, O Bailey, J Woodward.

Leinster: J O’Brien; T O’Brien, R Ioane, R Henshaw, J Lowe; H Byrne, J Gibson-Park; P McCarthy, R Kelleher, T Furlong; J McCarthy, J Ryan; J Conan, J van der Flier, C Doris.

Replacements: D Sheehan, J Boyle, T Clarkson, D Mangan, M Deegan, L McGrath, S Prendergast, C Frawley.

Referee: P Brousset (Fra).