European Cup record

Alongside Toulouse, Leinster Rugby are the most successful club side in European rugby, lifting the ultimate club prize on four occasions in 2009, 2011, 2012 and most recently in 2018, seeing off Racing 92 with a 15-12 win in Bilbao.

They also reached the 2019 Heineken Champions Cup final, but were beaten 20-10 by Saracens in Newcastle. In 2013, Leinster dropped into the Challenge Cup and were successful, beating Stade Francais 34-13 in the final.

Last season

Leinster had a flawless pool stage last season, including back-to-back victories over eventual quarter-finalists Northampton Saints that would secure them the No.1 seeding. However, they ran into their 2019 conquerors Saracens at the last eight stage and would be defeated again by the English club, coming out on the wrong side of the 25-17 scoreline in Dublin.

Director of rugby

The only man to win a European crown as a player and head coach, Leo Cullen has enjoyed a terrific spell with Leinster. He helped the Irish province to victories as a player in 2009, 2011 and 2012 before guiding his team as head coach to Bilbao glory in 2018. He also spent two seasons with Leicester Tigers, winning the English Premiership but losing the European Cup final to Wasps in 2007.

Key players

It’s a squad packed full of international stars, including Leinster legend and captain Johnny Sexton, who has scored 709 points across both European competitions. Garry Ringrose chipped in last season with six tries, including hat-tricks against Northampton Saints and Benetton Rugby whilst the likes of Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy and Andrew Porter provide plenty of forward firepower.

Pool fixtures

The Irish province will face familiar opponents in Northampton Saints, who they defeated twice last season and were beaten by Leinster in a dramatic European Cup final in 2011. Montpellier are the other opponents, with the two sides last meeting in the 2017-18 season.

Today we begin our look at Pool A of the Heineken Champions Cup, kicking off with the four-time European Cup winners Leinster Rugby.