Leinster confidently faces “the great challenge” of the Champions Cup final against Union Bordeaux in Bilbao

Irish Leinster Rugby faces with confidence the “great challenge” that will be the Champions Cup final who will face Union Bordeaux this Saturday in San Mamés (3:45 p.m.).

A stage that the ‘boys in blue’ know perfectly, since it was in the Bilbao stadium where they won their last continental title.

“It’s always positive to come back here, we have an incredible memory. Even sitting in this press room brings back memories,” said Leinster manager Leo Cullen. “It is incredible to have reached this final in this magnificent stadium against a rival with a long rugby tradition like Union Bordeaux,” he added.

“We always think about reaching the final, we said it in November. It is a privilege. We have a very motivated team, players with experience who have already been here and know these types of games and other young people with a lot of enthusiasm,” he indicated.

For Cullen, the finals are “special days,” and he reiterated that “we have a very important challenge.”. “We have to respect Bordeaux, which has already won this title. We want to play against the best, and I think they have been the best team in Europe in recent seasons,” he praised.

“It’s about embracing the occasion and making sure we try to deliver our best performancebecause I think that is what it will take,” said the Irish coach.

The team captain, Caelan Doris, was one of the players who lifted the trophy in 2018 in Bilbaoin weather conditions that will differ quite a bit from the heat expected for this Saturday, an aspect that he downplayed by indicating that “we have all played in situations like this with humidity and very high temperatures, so I think you just adapt.”

“We have to trust in what we have built throughout the season, we are in a good moment and there is a good atmosphere in the team,” he highlighted.

“We must have confidence in ourselves, in the group, in the preparation we have had all season. It is an incredible opportunity. We are going to try to win the game, but an important part is also enjoying it,” he added in this same sense.

Dan Sheenan also expressed himself in similar terms, stating that “our preparation has been very good in recent weeks.” The Leinster striker described this final as “the biggest challenge we have faced this year”, while emphasizing that “we have to have full confidence in the team, we are hungry and motivated”.

“If we can put all our performance on the field, it will be a good day for us,” he said.