Leinster's Champions Cup final clash with Toulouse is fast approaching and the pressure is ramping up with out-half Ross Byrne set to play a pivotal role.
The 29-year-old has put injury behind him as he looks to emulate Johnny Sexton in guiding Leinster to glory on the European stage.
Leinster have faltered at the final hurdle against La Rochelle in the last two seasons and Byrne featured in both games, replacing Sexton in a late but difficult cameo in Marseille in 2022.
He would play the entire 80 minutes 12 months later with Sexton sidelined and was harshly criticised for not attempting a drop-goal prior to Michael Ala'alatoa's decisive infringement.
Subsequent footage would show that Byrne had gestured for the ball but did not receive it from his teammates.
Byrne was central to Leinster exacting revenge on Ronan O'Gara's side in the quarter-finals this season with a Player of the Match performance, but still has unfinished business in a European final.
13 April 2024; Ross Byrne of Leinster, centre, and Leinster head of medical Professor John Ryan after his side's victory in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final match between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
He is set to come up against arguably the best half-back pairing in European rugby - Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont - but will take comfort in the fact that Jamison Gibson-Park will tog out beside him.
Gibson-Park has been one of the form players on the planet all season and will be key to his side's attacking tempo.
Jackman claims Champions Cup final is "massive" for Ross Byrne
Toulouse have creativity in abundance from their half-backs and it will be further enhanced by the likes of Thomas Ramos during the game.
Leinster know what Gibson-Park will bring but Byrne must take his chance to claim redemption against quality opposition, according to Bernard Jackman
Speaking on RTE's Against The Head on Monday evening - Jackman stressed the enormity of the fixture for Byrne in particular.
Gibson-Park is obviously playing outstanding rugby and Ross Byrne had a great-quarter-final," Jackman said.
"This is a massive game for Ross Byrne. He has been on the pitch at the end in Marseille; he started and finished the game last year.
"This could be his day of redemption. It is going to have to be because in Ntamack and Ramos they have two."
Donal Lenihan added that Byrne needs to step up and take some of the creative burden away from Gibson-Park if Leinster are to get an elusive fifth star.
The Top 14 final, Ntamack didn't actually have a good game but in the end he has that individual flair and pace (to win the match)," he said.
"At times Leinster have become too reliant on Gibson-Park.
"So therefore, Ross Byrne has got to understand that at certain points in the game he needs to take the pressure off Gibson-Park and take control of the game.
"It is a huge game for him."
Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman look ahead to Saturday's evenly matched Investec Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse. pic.twitter.com/IQkGpKbu8W
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 20, 2024
Victory for Toulouse will see them jump to six Champions Cups and would put them two ahead of Leinster in the all-time standings.
Both sides are so evenly matched that it is sure to make for a thrilling encounter regardless of the result.
