Leinster player-by-player statistics for European Champions Cup semi-final

Leinster team to face Toulon at Stade Velodrome

LEINSTER

Rob Kearney
Age:
29
Height: 1.85m/6ft 1in
Weight: 95kg/14st 13lb
Delon Armitage provides a similar aerial threat to Israel Folau and Kearney felt it prudent to avoid that direct contest in November but Leigh Halfpenny in direct opposition is more manageable. Must do damage over the Welshman's head and land a drop goal.

Fergus McFadden
Age:
28
Height: 1.83m/6ft
Weight: 93kg/14st 9lb
A leader in a team striped of many wise heads, his recovery from Kyle Eastmond's jarring shoulder is of massive importance. He'll endeavour to snuff out and carry the battle to Habana and Bastareaud. He must prove successful in both endeavours if Leinster are to have any chance.

Ben Te'o
Age:
28
Height: 1.88m/6ft 2in
Weight: 106kg /16st 10lb
Growing evidence indicates the Aucklander will be a vital component in Leinster's midfield next season but it's too soon to expect the nuances of rugby to be visible in his action. Only gives up 14 kilograms to Bastareaud.

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Ian Madigan
Age:
26
Height: 1.80m/5ft 11in
Weight: 91kg/14st 5lb
Place-kicking perfection needed. It's possible. Six penalties from six attempts papered over his and Leinster flaws against Bath. Unquestionably a target off second or third phase for Toulon heavies.

Luke Fitzgerald
Age:
27
Height: 1.86m/ 6ft 1in
Weight: 92kg /14st 7lb
It's a matter of timing for Leinster's sharpest weapon. There will be one maybe two chances to swerve into open country, if he manages to surf the red wave and free his hands a valuable seven points should follow.

Jimmy Gopperth
Age:
31
Height: 1.78m /5ft 10in
Weight: 88kg /13st 12lb
Jimmy the gent has deflected negative rhetoric poured down on him in an ebullient manner. A quality broken field flyhalf, Johnny Sexton he isn't. We can't help seeing the void every time Gopperth plays.

Isaac Boss
Age:
35
Height: 5ft 10in/1.78m
Weight: 13st 12lb /88kg
Leinster re-signed him when Gordon D'Arcy and other elders were not. That's the value of his wisdom but also shows Irish rugby's most problematic position with regards depth of talent. Eoin Reddan's increased tempo will be crucial off the bench.

Cian Healy
Age:
27
Height: 1.85m/6ft 1in
Weight: 112kg/17st 9lb
Okay, here's where a Leinster victory becomes plausible. Healy and Cronin should hold Hayman in scrums while he must be the third best forward on the pitch. If Jamie Heaslip and Seán O'Brien are better again something astonishing can happen.

Seán Cronin
Age:
28
Height: 1.81m /5ft 11in
Weight: 105kg/16st 7lb
The man tasked with rupturing Toulon's defence out wide. Cronin's best season ever must be re-enforced with a flawless throwing display even after the damage he is guaranteed to receive in contact.

Mike Ross
Age:
35
Height: 1.88m/6ft 2in
Weight: 127 kg/20st
The Six Nations got the blood flowing. 50-60 minutes of solid set piece work is what's needed here before Marty Moore's arrival must have genuine impact. Pity this game comes a year too soon for Tadhg Furlong.

Devin Toner
Age:
28
Height: 2.08m/6ft 10in
Weight: 124 kg/19st 7lb
Leo Cullen said this week that Toner's secondary strength, after the lineout, is his understanding of "what the team is trying to do". Basically making a nuisance of himself. That is evident this season in a green jersey. Now, can he out think Ali Williams in the air?

Mike McCarthy
Age:
33
Height: 1.93m/6ft 4in
Weight: 115kg /18st 2lb
If himself and Bakkies Botha are blowing kisses at each other there will be blood on the grass. His physicality has been noticeable of late but it had to be when Kane Douglas's body grinded to a halt.

Jordi Murphy
Age:
23
Height: 1.88m/6ft 2in
Weight: 106 kg/16st 10lb
Concerns that he will struggle with the physicality are misguided. He may be giving away several inches and kilograms to Fernandez Lobbe and Smith but a performance similar to the England game would more than suffice.

Seán O'Brien
Age:
28
Height: 1.88m/6ft 2in
Weight: 108 kg/17 stone
Leinster's key man. Someone has to meet the Toulon power with mighty resistance. Who better? Actually performed adequately against Bath, despite looking hurt, but so much more is expected by his herculean standards.

Jamie Heaslip (capt)
Age:
31 Height: 1.93m/6ft 4in
Weight: 110 kg/17st 5lb
Not sure if you are noticing Heaslip's phenomenal season so far. And he's doing it with vertebrae, shoulder and knee injuries. Could have been wearing red tomorrow. Victory here may guarantee that he's leading in the green jersey come 2016.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent