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Leinster vs Toulouse preview: Holders target return to Champions Cup final

Defending champions Leinster host Toulouse on Sunday as they bid to return to the Champions Cup final.

How did they reach the semi-finals?

Leinster have found it much tougher this season than last year when they were in exceptional form on their way to the final, going on to defeat Racing 92 for their fourth European triumph.

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Leo Cullen's side trailed at half-time against Ulster during their quarter-final and were pushed all the way as they edged to a 21-18 victory at the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster topped their pool after winning five of their six games. The PRO14 side started their European defence by hammering Wasps 52-3 and came through a challenging group also featuring semi-final opponents Toulouse and Bath.

Leinster will have home advantage against Toulouse

Toulouse managed to overcome playing with 14 men to win 22-21 at Racing 92 in their quarter-final tie. The visitors had Zack Holmes sent off in the first half for a high tackle but fought superbly to edge out their Top 14 rivals.
It has continued a renaissance from the four-time European champions. Their last triumph came in 2010 but there have been signs of a return to the top table of European rugby.
Toulouse also won five of their six group games and three away victories during this season's competition is a significant improvement from recent years.

Current form

Leinster have shown signs in recent weeks of not quite being the force of last season, with only one victory in their last four matches.
Their 39-24 home defeat to Glasgow on Saturday followed on from a 27-27 draw against Benetton at the RDS Arena. Leinster still have a commanding 16-point lead at the top of PRO14 Conference B.

Toulouse were involved in a gripping league match on Sunday after a 47-44 home win over Clermont. The victory leaves Toulouse eight points clear in first place in the Top 14.
With nine wins from their last ten games in all competitions, Toulon being the only side to defeat them, Toulouse are heading into the semi-final in excellent form.

Previous meetings

The two teams are very familiar with each other after playing twice during the pool stage of this season's competition.

Leinster defeated Toulouse at home in their pool game this season

Toulouse ended Leinster's unbeaten run in the Champions Cup after a thrilling 28-27 victory at Stade Ernest Wallon in October.
It was a different story in the return game at the RDS Arena with Leinster beating Toulouse 29-13 in their last meeting in January.
This clash is a repeat of the semi-final in 2011 when Leinster reached the final after a 32-23 victory over Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium.

Key players

James Ryan - Leinster
The 22-year-old Leinster and Ireland second row has been an influential figure for club and country. Ryan made a major contribution during their attritional quarter-final win over Ulster.

James Ryan catches the ball during Leinster's win over Ulster

He made the most carries in the Leinster team with 21 and also topped the tackle stats with 27 for the defending champions.
Ryan's defensive qualities, allied with his ability to launch attacks with his ball carrying skills, makes him a huge weapon for Leinster.
Antoine Dupont - Toulouse
Antoine Dupont has been one of the key players for Toulouse in their resurgence this season. The 22-year-old precocious talent has emerged as one of France's most talented young players.
Scrum-half Dupont produced a superb performance which made the difference in their quarter-final win in Racing 92. He scored twice in the first half to set them on their way to the last four.

Antoine Dupont scores a try during Toulouse's quarter-final win over Racing 92

Dupont gained 57 metres and made ten carries against Racing 92. He also made three clean breaks but was not just an attacking threat. Dupont produced 16 tackles which was the most of any back during the tie.

Team news

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Luke McGrath, 1 Cian Healy, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Devin Toner, 5 James Ryan, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Scott Fardy, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Hugh O'Sullivan, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Rory O'Loughlin.

Toulouse: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Sofiane Guitoune, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Antoine Dupont, 9 Sébastien Bézy, 1 Clément Castets, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 4 Richie Arnold, 5 Richie Gray, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 7 Joe Tekori, 8 Jerome Kaino (c).
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Maks Van Dyk, 19 Selevasio Tolofua, 20