Champions Cup final: O’Brien fit for Leinster as Lowe misses out

Leinster wing Tommy O’Brien has passed a fitness check and will start Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Begles at San Mames Stadium (14:45 BST).

O’Brien was an injury doubt after he sustained a knock in training, but has recovered and been deemed fit to play in Leo Cullen’s starting team.

However, fellow Ireland international James Lowe has not been included in the matchday squad despite returning from injury last week.

Head coach Cullen has named the same starting side that defeated Toulon in the semi-finals, but it is a much changed bench.

Paddy McCarthy, who has not featured since January, is included among the replacements alongside Tadhg Furlong and Ronan Kelleher.

Captain Caelan Doris will start at number eight, with Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier completing the back row.

Joe McCarthy will link up with James Ryan in the second row, while Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson make up the front row.

Jamison Gibson-Park will begin at scrum-half alongside Harry Byrne at fly-half with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose paired at centre.

Hugo Keenan starts at full-back with O’Brien and Rieko Ioane on the wings.

Diarmuid Mangan, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne complete the replacements.

Leinster are aiming to win the Champions Cup for the first time since 2018 after losing in four finals since.

Defending champions Bordeaux come into the game unbeaten in three matches and overcame Bath to make the final.