English Premiership champions Leicester Tigers travel across the Irish Sea to tackle four-time Heineken Cup champions Leinster in the first quarterfinal of this season’s competition. 

Meeting for a second successive season in the quarterfinals, the two sides know each other intimately, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings. 

Leinster Rugby, Leicester Tigers Team News 

Leo Cullen has made two changes to his side for this evening’s clash with the Tigers at the Aviva Stadium.

Garry Ringrose returns at outside centre in place of Jordan Larmour, whilst Caelen Doris starts in the unfamiliar position of openside flanker, replacing the injured Josh van der Flier. 

For the Tigers, head coach Richard Wigglesworth has made four changes to his side, with veteran Mike Brown starting at fullback whilst Dan Kelly wears the number 12 shirt. 

In the forwards, Springbok Jasper Wiese starts at number eight, whilst Joe Heyes starts at prop ahead of Dan Cole, who drops to the bench. 

Brown’s addition to the backline see’s England fullback Freddie Steward move to the wing in a move that would signal the Tigers are planning to attack Leinster in the air. 

Quotes From The Camps 

Speaking ahead of their trip to Dublin, Wigglesworth said: "Leinster are a world-class side, with something like 30 Test-capped players providing depth that is the envy of clubs all over the globe. 

"They are a team who move the ball brilliantly, and that comes on the back of the incredible cohesion they have as players. 

"This is a group of players that have spent almost their entire lives, let alone professional careers, playing together through the Irish system, from school to Leinster and then even on the international stage for Ireland, where they dominate that squad. 

"We know the challenge that is ahead of us, and that excites us. We want to play the big games, be a part of the big moments together." 

Chasing a record fifth title, Leinster knows that a win this evening will see them through to a home semi-final and possibly a home final. 

Speaking for Leinster, Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong said, "It's all in place" for the Dubliners to close out a dream season in front of their fans in a rare home final. 

"It's perfect, but from a players' perspective, we have to prove that. Every time you lace up your boots, you still have to prove it, every single time - and that's what we are focusing on.

"You have to do the work to get the results, and every week you have to pay proper respect. 

"You want to keep getting better. It's genuinely inbuilt. The lads want to get better and prove to themselves and each other that you are the right kind of man to be playing in the jersey." 

Leinster Vs. Leicester Prediction 

Having overcome Leicester 23 – 14 away from home last season, Leinster will be supremely confident of their chances again this evening. 

On paper, the clash can only go one way, given the quality of the Dublin outfit and the added bonus of playing at home, where they have a truly sterling record. 

Yet, as Furlong correctly pointed out, the Tigers are no pushovers and have a squad filled with seasoned internationals and talented up-and-comers. 

For the visitors to pick up a famous victory, they will need to match Leinster physically and slow down their lightning-quick rucking game. 

Should they do this, then they will negate the ever-present attacking threat of Jamison Gibson-Park at Scrumhalf. 

A tell-tale sign of how effective the Tigers are at the breakdown will be when JGP leaves the pitch. Should he be substituted early, the chances are that Leinster will revert to a more territorial gameplan, with Luke McGrath possessing a superior kicking game. 

In reality, chances are Leinster will find a way to wear down the Tigers through their sheer rate of play. Having outlined how the Tigers can stop the Leinster plan A, it would be negligent not to point out that they have highly efficient plan Bs, Cs and Ds. 

Simply put, Leinster should have too much for their visitors, even taking into account their injuries. On a fast dry track, the hosts will blitz the Tigers to come away with a comfortable win. Leinster by 18.