Leinster are chasing a top seeding, having already qualified for the Round of 16, but they are hunting a top-two seeding to secure home advantage throughout the knockout stages. Bayonne, meanwhile, cannot qualify for the knockouts, thand are expected to play with pride, looking to offload in contact and frustrate Leinster.
With Munster fightinging for survival, this is effectively a knockout game. They currently sit in a precarious position in Pool 2; they almost certainly must win to progress to the Round of 16. Expect a classic european night at Thomond Park, with the home side’s players and coaches having described this as a must-win.