Champions Cup: Leinster vs Ulster prediction, key battles and suggested bets

The indomitable Leinster will look to continue their undefeated season when they host old rivals Ulster in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 on Saturday.

2023-03-31Champions Cup: Leinster vs Ulster prediction, key battles and suggested bets

Incredibly, the Irish giants have a rivalry that dates back to 1875. But its Leinster that has had the upper hand over their northerly neighbors of late, winning eight out of the last ten clashes, including a 38-29 win in December.

Leinster's road to the playoffs

Beat Racing 92 10-42

Beat Gloucester 57-0

Beat Gloucester 14-49

Beat Racing 92 36-10

Ulster's road to the playoffs

Lost to Sale Sharks 39-0

Lost to La Rochelle 29-36

Lost to La Rochelle 7-3

Beat Sale Sharks 22-11

Team news

For the hosts, James Ryan is set to captain a team with no less than 14 players who featured for Ireland in the Six Nations returning to the match day squad.

Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with Jordan Larmour and James Lowe named on the wings. Jimmy O'Brien and Robbie Henshaw form the centre partnership for the first time, while Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park complete the back line.

Tadhg Furlong makes his first European appearance of the season. He is joined in the front row by Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan.

Ryan is partnered in the second row by Ross Molony. This season's leading Heineken Champions Cup try scorer Josh van der Flier is in the back-row alongside Ryan Baird and Jack Conan.

Meanwhile, Ulster also welcomes back several internationals. Lock Alan O'Connor captains the side and he is joined in the second row by Grand Slam-winner Kieran Treadwell.

Dave McCann starts at blindside flanker and is joined in the back row by the experienced pairing of Ireland international Nick Timoney and Springbok Duane Vermeulen, who will be relishing the physical battles.

Fronting up in the front row are returning internationals Rory Sutherland, hooker Rob Herring and Tom O'Toole. Herring is fresh from scoring a try for Ireland in the Grand Slam winning victory over England in the Six Nations while O'Toole will be brimming with confidence after an impressive tournament for Ireland.

Behind the pack, the in-form Nathan Doak keeps the number 9 jersey with Billy Burns returning alongside at flyhalf. Another Ireland international returns in the form of Stuart McCloskey, who lines out at inside centre, with James Hume retaining his place in the side from last weekend's win to restore a familiar centre partnership.

Key battles

It's forecast to be rare dry evening in Dublin on Saturday, something the Leinster backline will be looking to take advantage of. Ireland and Leinster winger James Lowe has a nose for the line and his opposite number Rob Baloucoune will have his hands fill. The talented Baloucoune will also have a point to prove as he is coming back from injury.