Saturday 12 May 2018 16:02, UK
Which players will have the biggest say in the outcome of Saturday's Champions Cup final between Leinster and Racing 92?
The three-time European champions have been in exceptional form this season winning all of their matches in the competition. Leinster knocked out holders Saracens in the quarter-finals before a comprehensive 38-16 win over Scarlets in the last four.
Racing are targeting their first Champions Cup triumph after losing in the final two years ago. The Top 14 side won 28-17 at rivals Clermont in the last-eight before a dominant first-half performance fired them to a 27-22 win over Munster in the semi-finals.
Who will prevail in Spain on Saturday? Here's three key battles which could help decide the winners of this season's final.
Isa Nacewa v Teddy Thomas
Nacewa will be aiming to crown a magnificent Leinster career with a fourth European triumph after the Blues captain announced that he will retire at the end of the season.
The utility back has been a huge part of the club's recent success helping the Dublin based side secure three European Cups. His running ability and astute kicking game is a major attacking threat and he has been a consistent performer in Leinster's unbeaten run in the competition this season.
In the Racing corner, Teddy Thomas has produced blistering form during this campaign including his destructive display in 92's semi-final win over Munster. The France wing scored twice inside the opening quarter of the match and turned down a third try to set up Maxime Machenaud over the tryline.
Thomas' searing pace was too much for Munster and he also scored in the group stage against Leicester. He has made 38 carries for 309 metres in the competition whereas Nacewa has managed 53 for Leinster for 225 metres.
Donnacha Ryan v James Ryan
Both sides are blessed with two stand out second-row pairings in Leone Nakarawa and Donnacha Ryan for Racing 92 and Devin Toner and James Ryan for Leinster.
But the battle between the two Ryans is both intriguing and critical. Since joining the French Top 14 leaders, Donnacha Ryan has assumed a natural leadership role in a very short space of time.
His exceptional levels of commitment on and off the pitch have been celebrated by teammates and in the autumn of his career, the former Munster stalwart has been delivering the kind of performances that has won him wide praise, beyond his new club.
Abrasive and uncompromising, Ryan will relish the prospect of facing off against one of Ireland's latest stars, James Ryan, a player so crucial to Ireland's and Leinster's success this season.
In many respects, the younger Ryan has been forged at the same white hot coalface as the elder. At the lineout and in the tight, the influence the respective Ryans can bring to bear on the contest, as part of their personal duel will be fascinating.
But you suspect that Racing will demand a greater second-row performance from Ryan the elder if they're to disrupt Leinster's unshakeable lineout and lift the trophy.
Pat Lambie v Johnny Sexton
Leinster's strength is their ability mount relentless waves of attack with Sexton continually varying the tempo and changing the focus to seek out weakness.
Once this happens, the fly-half can open the defence with a beautifully weighted cross-field kick or a perfectly times cut-out pass.
Sexton's high standards and sense of responsibility mean if things get tough he'll take it upon himself to come up with something to get Leinster back on track.
Racing 92 must have been tempted to name Dan Carter but have opted for the talented Pat Lambie to start the final.
The former Springbok - who could well be part of South Africa's plans against England in June - has been performing well for Racing 92 at both fly-half and full-back.
Like Sexton, he can control a game and is an excellent distributor out of hand and with the boot. His forwards should secure enough ball to set Racing's dangerous back line moving, but it''s when Leinster and Sexton turn up the tempo that Lambie's game management will come to the fore.
