It feels like a lifetime ago since Leinster began the defence of their Champions Cup crown with a 52-3 thrashing of Wasps on Friday, October 12th.
The seven months since have been a rollercoaster ride for Irish rugby. The national side have beaten the All Blacks, been stuffed by England, lost their Six Nations crown and watched Wales win the Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, Leinster have been plotting a route back to another European final - a journey which has been assured, if not entirely smooth.
Leo Cullen’s side stand on the brink of history, and this weekend they could become the first side to win the Heineken Cup for a fifth time.
Retaining their title - and sewing a fifth star above the Leinster crest - would be one of the province’s greatest achievements. But it’s not going to be easy.
On Saturday they meet the might of Saracens, winners of the competition in 2016 and 2017 and favourites to reclaim their crown after a year in the European wilderness.
This year’s draw has ensured the tournament’s two best teams - and comfortably the two best teams on the continent - will meet in the final.
The stage is set for a final for the ages in Newcastle - it is a Test match masquerading as a club game. Here is everything you need to know before the cream of Europe rises to the top.
What is it?
The Heineken Champions Cup final, between Leinster and Saracens.
When is it?
The match kicks off at 5.0pm on Saturday May 11th, at St James’ Park - home of Newcastle United Football Club.
How can I follow it?
The good news is one of the best games of the rugby year is being broadcast on terrestrial television. You can watch the match free-to-air on Virgin Media One (coverage starts 4.0pm) and on Channel 4 (coverage 4.30pm) - not a bad way to spend your Saturday evening. It is also available on BT Sport 2 (coverage 4.0pm) and, of course, you can follow all of the action through the Irish Times liveblog from 4.15pm.
Any spares?
The majority of the 52,405 seats at Newcastle's famous old ground are sold out but there are a very limited number still available to buy - you can pick one up HERE.
How did they get here?
Leinster
The defending champions sent out an ominous message to the rest of Europe on the opening weekend, as they eviscerated Wasps 52-3 in their first Pool One fixture. They were brought crashing back to earth in the second round however, as they were beaten 28-27 by a resurgent Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon. Any fears Leinster’s crown was slipping were quickly abated though, and they won their remaining four pool fixtures to set up a quarter-final with Ulster.
The Ulster quarter-final was a mini epic, forever to be remembered for Jacob Stockdale’s infamous botched try - and Leinster pipped their provincial rivals to win 21-18 at the Aviva Stadium. Toulouse’s shock last-eight win over Racing 92 set up a semi-final rematch - crucially to be held in Dublin - and Leinster thrashed the French, winning 30-12 at the Aviva.
Route to the final -
Pool One
Leinster 52 Wasps 3
Toulouse 28 Leinster 27
Bath 10 Leinster 17
Leinster 42 Bath 15
Leinster 29 Toulouse 13
Wasps 19 Leinster 37
Quarter-finals
Leinster 21 Ulster 18
Semi-finals
Leinster 30 Toulouse 12
Saracens
Saracens romped their way through a pool containing Cardiff, Glasgow and Lyon, winning all six of their fixtures and picking up four bonus points along the way. This earned them the status of number one seeds and a quarter-final date with poor old Glasgow, who were comprehensively beaten for a third time - Saracens winning 56-27 at Allianz Park. That victory set up a semi-final showdown with Munster at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
The province were without both Joey Carbery and Keith Earls and found themselves well and truly outgunned as the English Premiership side won 32-16 to reach the final.
Route to the final -
Pool Three
Glasgow Warriors 3 Saracens 13
Saracens 29 Lyon 10
Saracens 51 Cardiff 25
Cardiff 14 Saracens 26
Lyon 10 Saracens 28
Saracens 38 Glasgow 19
Quarter-finals
Saracens 56 Glasgow 27
Semi-finals
Saracens 32 Munster 16
Team news
Leinster
Leo Cullen will head into Sunday's clash with an unchanged XV from the one which beat Toulouse in the semi-finals.hat means Scott Fardy will start in the backrow, with Rhys Ruddock on the bench. Leinster's main injury concern was hooker Sean Cronin, but he is fit to start. Leinster's team will be announced at 12pm on Friday.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Larmour, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton (Capt), McGrath; Healy, Cronin, Furlong; Toner, Ryan; Fardy, O'Brien, Conan. Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, Rhys Ruddock, Max Deegan, Hugh O'Sullivan, Ross Byrne, Rory O'Loughlin.
Saracens
Mako Vunipola is fit to start. He injured his ankle in the Six Nations win over Ireland at the start of February, before lasting 62 minutes of the semi-final win over Munster. Mark Rhodes isn't fit, meaning Will Skelton comes into the secondrow and Maro Itoje moves into the backrow.
Saracens: Alex Goode; Liam Williams, Alex Lozowski, Brad Barritt, Sean Maitland; Owen Farrell, Ben Spencer; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Titi Lamositele; Will Skelton, George Kruis; Maro Itoje, Jackson Wray, Billy Vunipola. Replacements: Joe Gray, Richard Barrington, Vincent Koch, Nick Isiekwe, Schalk Burger, Richard Wigglesworth, Nick Tompkins, David Strettle.
What they say
James Ryan, on his peer and future Lions teammate Maro Itoje: "I remember watching his meteoric rise a few years ago. It was admirable. You can see why he is such a good player. He is a complete secondrow in many respects in the fact he is so good over the ball as well. He is one of Saracens go-to players. They look to him for generating energy and momentum."
Saracens and England hooker Jamie George: "But there's a sense in the group we're going somewhere special. We're taking it to where no club has been before in Europe. That's what it will take to win because these two teams are really pushing the standards of club rugby."
A last chance saloon for legendary figures
Seán O'Brien pulls on the Leinster blue in Europe for the last time on Saturday, ahead of a move to London Irish after the Rubgy World Cup. And Gordon D'Arcy believes Seánie can be the catalyst for a fifth European Cup. . .
“Leinster need him to be the main man; a bulldozing run and quick presentation that allows them do to Saracens what no team has been able to do since Leinster put three tries on them in April 2018.
“Having missed the Bilbao final and it being his swansong for the club, he never wanted to leave, I can only imagine the deep well of motivation he brings into the environment this week.”
Ireland v England?
Leinster could start with 13 Irish internationals on Saturday, while Saracens fielded 11 England Test players - past and present - in their win over Munster. Add in James Lowe, Scott Fardy and Liam Williams and it’s a cast worthy of the biggest stage.
What’s the betting?
Saracens head to Newcastle as narrow favourites:
Saracens 10-11 Draw 20-1 Leinster 21-20 (Saracens -1 Evs)
European heritage
These two sides have won the Heineken Cup a combined six times between them - Leinster four times, Saracens twice.
Previous meetings
This will be the fourth time the two sides have come across each other, with the current tally at 3-0 to Leinster.
They won 25-23 at Wembley Stadium in the 2010-11 pool stages, before a 43-20 home victory en-route to winning the competition. Leinster then beat Saracens 30-19 in last year’s quarter-finals, again on their way to lifting the trophy.
Who’s on the whistle?
France’s Jérôme Garcès will be in charge on Saturday evening.
How’s the weather looking?
It might be the middle of May but the UK weather hasn’t held up its end of the bargain - showers are expected on Saturday with temperatures around 11 degrees.
Do say
Leinster in a European final in Newcastle? Howay the lads!
Don’t say
It should be a nice, quiet and relaxing weekend in the Toon. . .
