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Harlequins will be hoping for another giant killing on Saturday when they visit Leinster at Croke Park.
Harlequins will be hoping for another giant killing on Saturday when they visit Leinster at Croke Park.
Quins beat Bordeaux-Begles away on their way to the semi-finals last year, but this round of 16 tie looks even more daunting considering the wealth of experience Leinster possess.
Harlequins have endured a difficult season on both fronts, languishing down in seventh and four points off the Premiership play-offs. They've also flattered to deceive in their European campaign thus far, finishing fourth in Pool 4.
Leinster have been in red hot form and are desperate to avenge the three finals they've lost in successive seasons. The Dubliners went four from four to top Pool 2 and currently top the URC, having only tasted defeat once in all competitions.
Experience meets youth
Star signing Jordie Barrett, 28, has provided a new layer of attack with the All Black shining in the round 4 victory over Bath with four clean breaks, a try assist and a turnover.
Standing opposite him in the centres will be 23-year-old Oscar Beard, who is also in fine form, having made seven dominant carries - the most in round 4 against Glasgow Warriors - and also 27 post-contact metres.
Harlequins have made an average of 12 clean breaks and 495 metres per 80 minutes in the Champions Cup this season – both among the four highest averages in the competition.
Caelan Doris has won as many turnovers as any other player in the competition so far (9). Only one player in the Champions Cup has entered more rucks than Josh van der Flier, who has hit 121, and the Irish international has also made five clean breaks in four matches.
Previous meeting
The two sides last met in December 2014, with Leinster edging Harlequins 14-13 at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster Rugby Starting XV (1-15) Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, RG Snyman, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, James Lowe, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Hugo Keenan
Leinster Rugby Replacements (16-23) Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Tadhg Furlong, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Jordie Barrett
Harlequins Starting XV (1-15) Fin Baxter, Jack Walker, Titi Lamositele, Joe Launchbury, Chandler Cunningham-South, Jack Kenningham, Will Evans, Alex Dombrandt, Will Porter, Marcus Smith, Nick David, Ben Waghorn, Oscar Beard, Tyrone Green, Leigh Halfpenny
Harlequins Replacements (16-23) Sam Riley, Wyn Jones, Simon Kerrod, Irne Herbst, George Hammond, Danny Care, Jamie Benson, Luke Northmore