Leinster will be looking to win their first trophy since 2021 when they take on South Africa's Bulls at Croke Park on Saturday.
Three seasons ago, the Bulls lost to their compatriots the Stormers, and last season they suffered a heavy defeat to the Glasgow Warriors in the decider in Pretoria, although many predicted them to win that game.
They reach the final again, this time as underdogs against an all-Irish Leinster side, while two of the world's best players will be from South Africa in RG Sneman and New Zealand centre Jordie Barrett.
Meanwhile, Leinster boss Leo Cullen continues to trust midfielder Sam Prendergast despite his recent hesitations, and has brought centre Garry Ringrose and striker Josh van der Flier back into the squad after their respective recovery from injury.
These are the only changes to the starting line-up, with Snyman remaining on the bench against his former team.
Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan believes his side will need to match the Bulls' strength and impose their game on them.
“I think it's all about fitness,” he says. “You can have the best game plan in the world, but it won't be successful if your fitness isn't up to par.”
“The Bulls have the toughest scrum in the league statistically. They are extremely tough to play against and I'm sure they will have a plan to disrupt our scrum and try to get around us and we will do the same and bring energy.”
Bulls coach Jake White led the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 2007 but his Pretoria side struggled to lift the trophy and came close to defeat on several occasions.
“We know we've played in three finals, but we also know we've exceeded expectations and hopefully we can show what we've learned in the other finals in this game,” White told reporters as he announced his team on Thursday.
“We will have to put pressure on the opposition. Leinster are a quality, well-coached team who are respected by many in this competition. My message to the players over the last four months has been to look for consistency at Leinster and we have done that and now we are in the final.”
White made one forced change to his 23-man squad from the semi-final win over the Sharks, bringing on Marco van Staden for the injured Cameron Hanekom, with Marcel Coetzee moving from wide to No.8.
The game kicks off at 17:00 on Saturday 14 June, with TG4 broadcast starting at 16:15.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
