Leinster named a heavily changed side for Leinster Vs Ospreys on Saturday, seven days before their Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Bègles, as James Lowe, Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw all returned to the squad and James Lowe came back after not playing since January. Jack Conan led the side after recovering from a knee issue, Harry Byrne returned at outhalf, and John O'Brien started at fullback in a team selection that left several senior players fighting for places on the plane to Bilbao next week.

Leo Cullen said the returning players brought fresh energy into the group and made clear that nothing was settled ahead of the final. He said the squad was competitive and that spots were up for grabs, adding that Leinster wanted big players fit, in form and humming at this stage of the season. He also said the focus was simple: the team needed to show proper quality and continue pushing on, with players expected to concentrate on performance rather than worry about injury risk.

The selection reflected that competition. Alex Usanov returned after ankle surgery in mid-April, Jordan Larmour started on the left wing after a long-term absence, and Jimmy O'Brien switched to fullback after an impressive game against the Lions last week. Ciarán Frawley, who orchestrated Leinster’s try blitz against the Lions, had also made it difficult to be overlooked for the trip to Bilbao, while Hugo Keenan, Jamie Osborne and Rieko Ioane were all expected to be on the plane for the final.

Leinster are trying to end an eight-year gap in the Champions Cup decider, and this match against Ospreys was as much about rhythm as it was about result. Lowe was one try short of Shane Horgan’s Leinster record of 68 tries, but the bigger point for Cullen was getting his options into shape before the trip to face Bordeaux-Bègles. The coach said the group was professional in everything it did, and the team sheet suggested the final week before Bilbao would be treated as one last open audition.

Ospreys named Jack Walsh at fullback and George Morgan-Williams at scrum-half as they prepared to face a Leinster side still weighing form, fitness and selection. The broader question for Leinster is no longer who is available, but who has done enough to start the biggest match of the season.