Three key battles as Leinster take on Union Bordeaux Bègles in the Champions Cup final

The sides face off in the San Mames on Saturday afternoon.

KEY BATTLE: Tommy O'Brien during a Leinster Rugby captain's run at San Mamés Stadium. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The half-backs

Matthieu Hjalibert and Maxime Lucu play like liquid gold. They are superb individuals and a devastating tandem with oodles of experience to go along with their class, and Lucu is playing at ‘home’ given his Basque roots.

Jamison Gibson-Park is Leinster’s talisman in so many ways. Only Antoine Dupont ranks higher as a scrum-half right now and that brings us to Harry Byrne who plays in his first final at the age of 27. A fine player, Leinster need his A-game.

Tommy O’Brien v Louis Bielle-Biarrey

Tommy O’Brien had a torrid night the last time he lined up opposite the French flyer. Though he wasn’t at fault for either of the tries LBB scored he was still given the shepherd’s hook before the 50th minute.

O’Brien has, other than that, enjoyed a sustained run of form after too many years of injury. Help shut down Bielle-Biarrey here – and maybe do some damage himself with ball in hand - and he will surely go a long way to helping Leinster over the line.

Cameron Woki v … various

Cameron Woki, named at openside flanker, is a nuisance at lineout where he can secure his side’s ball and make a mess of the opposition’s. His efforts against Bath in the semi-final are evidence of just that.

Leinster will be alive to that threat out of touch given the importance of setpiece plays to their attacking game but it will be interesting to see too if Bordeaux opt to keep the ball in play as much as possible in order to wear Leinster down.