Bilbao beckons but Leinster must be weary of Scarlets threat

FRONT ROW

With Tadhg Furlong and Rob Evans in sparkling form this season, the battle in the front row is set up to be an epic encounter.

However, one area that Scarlets will feel they can compete effectively is at set piece and scrum time.

Can Ken Owens and Evans work hard enough to tire out an in-form Leinster pack who looked sublime against Saracens in the quarter-finals?

For Wayne Pivac’s side, Samson Lee and Evans are emperors of the scrum and will need to be at their best to deny Leinster the advantage in this area.

Nullifying Leinster hooker Sean Cronin (six carries for 21 metres against Saracens) and Furlong’s carrying will be a tough task and perhaps central to the outcome of this contest.

SECOND ROW

Set up to be one of the battles of the afternoon with towering lock James Ryan purring with confidence in recent weeks after mammoth displays for Ireland in the Six Nations.

The Leinster man carries well and makes plenty of metres, but will be up against the impressive Tadhg Beirne, who has been one of the stand-out players of the Champions Cup.

The Munster-bound Scarlets star has racked up ridiculous statistics in turnovers won, successful tackle count and minutes played in Pro14 and Champions Cup.

His physical resilience will be one of the tipping points between the visitors winning and losing in Dublin.

At 5, David Bulbring is a solid line-out option for Scarlets and it can be argued that his work in the loose and carries for metres ratio is more effective than a creaking Dev Toner.

BACK ROW

Another thrilling duel with Scott Fardy, Dan Leavy and Jordi Murphy up against Scarlets’ dynamic trio of Aaron Shingler, John Barclay and James Davies.

The battle at 7 will be intriguing with Leavy and Barclay both instrumental against Saracens and La Rochelle respectively.

The Scarlets skipper can win line-outs, battle hard at the breakdown and tackle voraciously.

Leavy, meanwhile, is a monster and will not be afforded the same freedom that saw him rack up a freakish 14 tackles and 16 carries against Sarries.

The Leinsterman’s spark though may be more effective on this occasion.

HALF BACK

Johnny Sexton and Dan Jones are two different players but both are key to the game plan each side is to employ.

Sexton should dictate this battle if provided with the necessary space, his pinpoint kicking and swift handling ability are key to get Leinster’s menacing backline ticking.

Patchell may not boast the same experience but is still as influential at slipping the right pass, spreading the ball wide and darting into half-gaps.

At 9, there is nothing between the elusive Jamison Gibson-Park – drafted in for the injured Luke McGrath – and Gareth Davies, both of whom have been in superb form in the Pro14 and Champions Cup this season.

CENTRE

A humdinger of a duel with Hadleigh Parkes and Scott Williams in outstanding form for club and country since the turn of the year.

Parkes, at 30, has emerged as one of the best 12s in the world, doing the basics well and picking the right option at the right time.

With Williams outside him, both players will need to be at their sharpest to contain the totemic Leinster pairing of Garry Ringrose and Rob Henshaw.

A key defensive leader for Leo Cullen’s side, Henshaw’s carrying in midfield also helps Leinster to get on top and allows them to build momentum out wide.

BACK THREE

Like every other battle across the field, to see Rob Kearney and Leigh Halfpenny in full flight will be a joy to behold. Solid under the high ball, creative in attack and reliable in defence, both players will be aiming to get their sides on the front foot.

Leinster, however, will need to keep the penalty count at a minimal or the accurate Halfpenny will punish them from the boot.

With Isa Nacewa shifting from centre to wing, the evergreen Leinster captain will be aiming to cut down the influence of Steff Evans who has the ability to score a try from anywhere.