Champions Cup

Head coach also credits Toulon for staying in the game to the finish at the Aviva Stadium

Leinster looked to be cruising before two Toulon tries set up nervy finale

Relief the main emotion as Leo Cullen’s side exorcise a few demons to make a record-extending ninth final

Tommy O’Brien and Andrew Porter two of the standout performers as Leinster book place in Champions Cup decider

Losing successive home semi-finals seems unthinkable, so the pressure is on the Irish province

The 27-year-old discusses his bond with his brother Ross, his loan spell in Bristol and his determination to earn the opportunity coming his way on Saturday, when he is to start for Leinster against Toulon

Both Irish provinces are at home in their European last-four encounters this weekend

Sides of Leinster’s quality would prefer to end contests earlier than they have been doing so

Two provinces in European finals would confirm a great season for Irish rugby

Rieko Ioane named on the left wing with Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw partnered at centre

The Counter Ruck podcast: Ulster’s opportunity in the Challenge Cup

French visitors are dangerous because they have nothing to lose

Dréan, anecdotally quicker than soccer star Kylian Mbappé, will face Leinster at the Aviva on Saturday

The Toulon and Scotland scrumhalf is very familiar with the Leinster squad, having played against many of them as recently as this year’s Six Nations

Province contending with several injury concerns ahead of Champions Cup semi-final

Province say several international players will be assessed before team is named for Champions Cup semi-final

URC clash could alter picture of entire campaign for both provinces and their players

Backrower was dismissed for a challenge on Werner Kok during Leinster’s win over Ulster in Belfast

Coaches such as McNamara, Ronan O’Gara and Felix Jones should be top of the list whenever Irish provinces are hiring

The great official Francis Palmade showed how it should be done, with help from Marcel Marceau

Blindside flanker is the key injury worry ahead of Champions Cup semi-final, with doubts also over Doris, Van der Flier and Porter

Home advantage presents Leo Cullen’s men with a big opportunity but Toulon will also fancy their chances

The Counter Ruck Podcast

Blues hope recent improvements in attack will bear fruit in plum Champions Cup semi at Aviva

Ulster at home to Exeter in Challenge Cup final four

Reigning champions put four tries past Top 14 rivals to reach final four

Leo Cullen’s decision to leave Sheehan on the pitch after Rónan Kelleher came on proved a winning ploy

Head coach conscious of past painful days at the hands of semi-final opponents Toulon

Winger showed his mettle to pull Leinster through sticky opening half

Leinster to face Toulon in final four

Hosts pull away in the second half after testing opening 40 minutes at the Aviva Stadium

Sale come to Dublin knowing Leinster are a highly-prized scalp

Advancing in the Champions Cup by ousting the Premiership side on Saturday would help restore belief after last season’s loss to Northampton

Winners of Sunday’s Champions Cup quarter-final will be primed to take the title

Should Leinster reach the final four, they’ll face the winner of Glasgow Warriors v Toulon

Academy prop Alex Usanov to make first Champions Cup start on Saturday at the Aviva

Irish prop reflects on Leinster’s highs, lows and the new style of knockout rugby

There is an old saying in rugby that if you disrespect your opponent, you are inviting disappointment into your life

Centre may have had his watershed moment in Leinster’s Champions Cup win over Edinburgh last weekend

‘The general feeling is we’ve got a great team, and it’s starting to really click a bit’