Leinster V Toulon: the matchup, the stakes, the verdict

Andrew Porter has been declared fit to face Toulon in Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 3pm). Leinster V Toulon has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Ireland.

Key facts

• Andrew Porter has been declared fit to face Toulon in Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).
• Toulon may look to replicate aspects of La Rochelle and Northampton's templates when they take on Leinster in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup semi-final, according to former Munster back row James Coughlan.
• Follow our live blog on Leinster v Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday from 3pm on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
• No place for ex-Munster centre Antoine Frisch as Toulon go for 6/2 bench split.
• A whopping 11 years have passed since Toulon made it to a Champions Cup semi-final, a tournament which they dominated once upon a time.

What we know

Going deeper, Toulon may look to replicate aspects of La Rochelle and Northampton's templates when they take on Leinster in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup semi-final, according to former Munster back row James Coughlan.

On the substance, Follow our live blog on Leinster v Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday from 3pm on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.

Beyond the headlines, No place for ex-Munster centre Antoine Frisch as Toulon go for 6/2 bench split.

More precisely, a whopping 11 years have passed since Toulon made it to a Champions Cup semi-final, a tournament which they dominated once upon a time.

It is worth noting that But previously, the ex-Pau player also worked on the staff at Toulon, who will be plotting a means of getting past Leinster in Saturday's showdown at Aviva Stadium.

By the numbers

At this stage, You pick up the papers and they're saying it's not the Leinster of old, that maybe they're an ageing team," he told RTÉ Radio 1's Inside Sport.

On a related note, Former Clermont and Toulon scrum-half Pierre Mignoni arrived in 2022 when Toulon were fighting for their Top14 survival at the basement of the league table and he has proven a galvanising presence in the coaches’ box.

Going deeper, Under Mignoni’s watch, Toulon claimed the Challenge Cup in 2023, beating Glasgow in the Dublin final, and finished third in the Top14 last season, having finished fourth in the French league in the previous campaign.

On the substance, that try proved the match-winner as Toulon held on for a stunning 22-19 win at Glasgow HQ.

The wider context

On a related note, Coughlan shared an insight into how Leinster are viewed on French soil leading into the game which contrasts with the esteem the province are held in by Toulon head coach Pierre Mignoni.

Going deeper, Coughlan also highlighted Toulon's setpiece supremacy as an area that Leinster will have to contend with.

On the substance, Leinster haven’t given up on Andrew Porter starting against Toulon, but Tadhg Furlong is a major doubt.

Beyond the headlines, ‘They’ve caused plenty of pain’ – Weight of history against Leinster as Leo Cullen’s men eye first win over Toulon.

More precisely, ‘We’ve spoken around what worked for the France boys’ – Toulon’s Ben White on plotting a semi-final upset against Leinster.

The bottom line

• A whopping 11 years have passed since Toulon made it to a Champions Cup semi-final, a tournament which they dominated once upon a time.
• ‘They’ve an all-star squad’ – Leo Cullen downplays home advantage as Leinster braced for Toulon test.
• It’s been a while, but Toulon are back at the business end of this competition.
• Searches spiking right now: Porter fit but Furlong misses out for Leinster semi-final, Champions Cup semi-final: Leinster v Toulon - All You Need to Know, Leinster haven’t given up on Andrew Porter starting against Toulon, but Tadhg Furlong is a major doubt, Live Rugby: Leinster v Toulon – Investec Champions Cup Semi Final.