Was it mind games or simply just sportsmanship?
Either way the injury concerns to Leinster captain Caelan Doris and hooker Dan Sheehan disappeared when the team was announced for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final against the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park on Friday night.
Both players, listed as doubtful earlier in the week, take their places, although Sheehan is on the bench while Doris will captain the side for the fixture.
The boost that the 108-cap Doris gives to the side is significant, as he boosts Leinster’s back-row options while coach Leo Cullen made three changes to the side to face the Bulls in the final.
Tadhg Furlong returns to the front row along with Ronan Kelleher at hooker, while Jerry Cahir is the only change.
Caelan Doris captains the side from number eight once more as Josh van der Flier and Max Deegan complete an unchanged back row.
Tommy O'Brien — who was named Leinster Supporters’ Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year — returns on the wing with James Lowe on the opposite side and Hugo Keenan at fullback.
Rieko Ioane and Jamie Osborne continue in the centres while Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast renew their half-back partnership once more.
𝘿𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 👑
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) June 17, 2026
Here is your Leinster Rugby team to take on the @BlueBullsRugby in the @URCOfficial Grand Final at Croke Park on Friday night 🔥
📰 Team news: https://t.co/FbrBI4EkvN
🎟️ Tickets: https://t.co/ORBhehfNLV#LEIvBUL #NeverLessThanEverything pic.twitter.com/tfw8zSchkI
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (captain), Josh van der Flier, Max Deegan, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Jerry Cahir.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Alex Usanoc, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose.