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Investec Champions CupSaracens

Saracens name team for Leinster

Maro Itoje was a hit at Saracens as soon as he walked in the door from school (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Saracens have named the team that will face reigning champions Leinster in the final of European Champions Cup in Newcastle tomorrow.

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The clash of Europe’s two outstanding clubs is a fitting finale to Heineken’s return as title partners of club rugby’s elite tournament. As well as showcasing top-quality action, EPCR’s Finals Weekend will also deliver a significant legacy for the region.

The eyes of the rugby world are on Newcastle and the 2019 Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup finals as the north-east of England prepares for the greatest weekend in club rugby.

Tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup final between Leinster Rugby and Saracens is the fifth Anglo-Irish decider in history as the holders go in search of a record fifth European crown.

With more than 51,000 fans packed into the iconic St James’ Park, and with TV audiences in over 100 countries, Saracens are looking for a third title of their own as they appear in the prestigious showpiece match for the fourth time in six seasons.

Saracens

15. Alex Goode, 14. Liam Williams, 13. Alex Lozowski, 12. Brad Barritt (c), 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Ben Spencer, 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Titi Lamositele, 4. Will Skelton, 5. George Kruis, 6. Maro Itoje, 7. Jackson Wray, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements:
16. Joe Gray, 17. Richard Barrington, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Schalk Burger, 21. Richard Wigglesworth, 22. Nick Tompkins, 23. David Strettle,
Referee: Jérome Garcès (France)

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AR1: Romain Poite (France)

AR2: Pascal Gauzère (France)

TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)

Leinster

15. Rob Kearney, 14. Jordan Larmour, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (c), 9. Luke McGrath, 1. Cian Healy, 2. Sean Cronin, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Devin Toner, 5. James Ryan, 6. Scott Fardy, 7. Sean O’Brien, 8. Jack Conan.

Replacements:

16. James Tracy, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Michael Bent, 19. Rhys Ruddock, 20. Max Deegan, 21. Hugh O’Sullivan, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Rory O’Loughlin,

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Comments on RugbyPass

s
sj 16 minutes ago
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Come on Toulouse

2 Go to comments
J
Jessicakim2 26 minutes ago
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With so many false recommendations and impersonators out there, it can be difficult to determine who is trustworthy. If you've fallen victim to fake crypto investors or lost money to scammers, I recommend reaching out to ****Reclaimeasy @ GMAIL . com****. They can genuinely assist you. It took me a while to find them, but they were a great help.

1 Go to comments
T
TM44 31 minutes ago
URC teams aren't proving Stephen Donald wrong

Says the twerp who's team has never progressed further than the qf in any of the numerous WC's 😂

30 Go to comments
T
TM44 34 minutes ago
URC teams aren't proving Stephen Donald wrong

Different players you say? Could've sworn I’ve seen most of them wearing Irish jerseys in some games

30 Go to comments
T
TM44 39 minutes ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Do you have any friends?

32 Go to comments
T
TM44 42 minutes ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Ireland & Leinster are incredibly arrogant

32 Go to comments
T
TM44 44 minutes ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Probably that Leinster & Ireland don't win when it really matters

32 Go to comments
T
TM44 46 minutes ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

What's interesting about what you write about other people, are in fact perfect examples of yourself.


Now run along, I think the ice cream truck is due in your estate any minute now 😁

32 Go to comments
T
TM44 52 minutes ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

Ahh didums.. did you get your wittle feelings hurt?


Have another werthers original, as I understand it they're like crack cocaine to you old oap’s

46 Go to comments
T
TM44 57 minutes ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

You cling on to that 2022 NZ series win like a child. Yes you won it, but you's have never won a qf in a WC, & you probably never will. So congratulations on being the best team that never was! 😂

46 Go to comments
J
Jeff Dutton 57 minutes ago
Bordeaux vs Toulouse | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

Jack Willis to be the difference

2 Go to comments
B
Bob Salad II 58 minutes ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Anecdotal and largely the views espoused from former province and international Irish players as well as others within the media.


I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest there appears to be growing disharmony across the provinces in light of the favoritism showed to Leinster.


Perhaps the IRFU strategy of concentrating national resources and talent within the Leinster setup is/has been a successful strategy, but you cant deny it’s appears to be an imperfect system.

32 Go to comments
M
MK 58 minutes ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

I should have been more precise in my iniital comment. Far from me the idea of disparaging the Irish people as a whole. They are fine people and I really enjoyed my time there. The Irish Rugby sphere is the one constituency I was talking about. I guess I had a feeling (confirmed by previous examples of similar stuff: See you in the final comes to mind) he was looking past Northampton to the final.


In any case, sorry if I hurt your feelings


PS = I played full back or winger. did one game as a hooker (never again!)

32 Go to comments
T
TM44 1 hour ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

See you in the final

46 Go to comments
T
TM44 1 hour ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

Says the biggest dirt flinger this rugby site has ever seen. I hope your team of psychiatrists can finally find out what's wrong with you, & get you on the right medication. Not just for you, but for all of us who have to suffer you.

46 Go to comments
T
TM44 1 hour ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Rob Kearney said before the WC qf, that if Ireland play at 90% of what their capable of, they'll win. Shane Hogan said the other day that if Leinster play at 80% of what they're capable of, they’ll win. That is arrogance personified

32 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 1 hour ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I can read out the headlines to you in all the National Irish Papers and none were complacent. To say they were is a fabrication pure and simple. People (including you) saying that Irish media are arrogant does not actually equate to Irish media being arrogant.

Since Ireland beat NZ in the 2022 series Irish supporters have had to deal with these accusations of arrogance. Out of nowhere. If you wish the International game to grow then please dont make supporting rugby this unpleasant for emerging nations.

Lets look at the Wales match in the 6N. One Irish podcast took the piss. 99% were completely respectful to Wales a few actually doing useful research in which Irish successes could be transferrable to Wales and which couldn’t.

Ofcourse the internet lit up. Ireland were arroagant. The Telegraph did a big column on it. Their substantiation? The same off the ball piss take and some hearsay about one Irish supporter at the Ireland/Scotland RWC match.

Things were dying down when Pundit Brian O’Driscoll claimed he read the Telegraph article and thought Irish supporters needed to have a good look at themselves. Everything was about that one piss take. And so what? Every Scots and irish supporter knows that the Welsh took no prisoners taking the piss during their scores of victories over us over the years. They like a bit of fun.


Next time you want to accuse Irish of arrogance then read all the articles and make that decision. Otherwise its disingenious.

46 Go to comments
J
JPM 1 hour ago
Same criticism rings out over Sam Prendergast as one debate put to bed

I thought Leinster got a genius defense coach through Niebaner. Perhaps it’s time to go back to basics….!!!

2 Go to comments
T
TM44 1 hour ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Cullen is so arrogant

32 Go to comments
T
TM44 1 hour ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Arrogance

32 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Series triumph but ‘vitriol’ for Gatland: 2013 Lions tour of Australia recalled Series triumph but ‘vitriol’ for Gatland: 2013 Lions tour of Australia recalled
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