Lowe back as Leinster, La Rochelle name Champions Cup final teams

Leinster and La Rochelle have named their teams for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final in Dublin, the Irish province making two modifications from their semi-final win over Toulouse and the defending champions two after their victory over Exeter.

It was April 29 when Leinster noticed off Toulouse 41-22 minute the companies of James Lowe and Robbie Henshaw, the duo injured of their quarter-final win over Leicester.

Lowe hasn’t performed since that April 7 match however he has timed his return to health for the final to perfection and he has been named on the left-wing with Jimmy O’Brien swapping to the correct and Jordan Larmour dropping out the matchday 23.

Henhsaw made his return to enjoying in final weekend’s UIRC semi-final loss to Munster. That comeback was in a midfield partnership with Charlie Ngatai, who deputised for him towards Toulouse.

The New Zealander now drops to the bench, enabling Henshaw to renew his partnership with Garry Ringrose. The rest of the Leinster XV is unchanged from the semi-final.

In the meantime, La Rochelle have mirrored the variety of Leinster switches by making two alterations from their semi-final win over Exeter 47-28 in Bordeaux on April 30.

Ultan Dillane, their signing this season from Connacht, has been named on the bench along with his place at blindside going to Paul Boudehent. Within the backs, Jonathan Danty is chosen at inside centre with Jules Favre benched.