Thomas Clarkson to start for Leinster in Champions Cup final

Michael Bolton

Thomas Clarkson has been named to start for Leinster in their Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Bègles on Saturday in Bilbao.

Clarkson will start in his first Champions Cup final, with Tadhg Furlong on the bench.

Leo Cullen has named an unchanged side from the team that defeated Toulon in the semi-finals, with Tommy O'Brien passed fit to start on the right wing.

Robbie Hnshaw has won the battle to start at inside centre alongside Garry Ringrose, with Jamis Osborne among the replacements.

There is no room for either Sam Prendergast or James Lowe in the matchday 23.

Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan join Clarkson in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan in the second row.

Jack Conan and Josh Van Der Flier will be on either side of Caelan Doris in the back row, with Jamison Gibson-Park partnering Harry Byrne.

Rieko Ioane starts on the left wing, with Hugo Keenan at full-back.

For Bordeaux, their backline is full of big names, with Louis Bielle-Biarrey passed fit after a previous injury concern.

Joining him in their attempt to win a second straight Champions Cup is Maxime Lucy, Matthieu Jalibert, Yoram Moefana, Damian Penaud, Pablo Uberti and Saleis Rayasi.

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Rieko Ioane; Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt). Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Diarmuid Mangan, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne.

Bordeaux: Salesi Rayasi; Pablo Uberti, Damian Penaud, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu (capt); Jefferson Poirot, Maxime Lamothe, Carlü Sadie; Boris Palu, Adam Coleman; Pierre Bochaton, Cameron Woki, Marko Gazzotti. Replacements: Gaetan Barlot, Ugo Boniface, Ben Tameifuna, Lachie Swinton, Temo Matiu, Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, Arthur Retiere, Hugo Reus.