Welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Leinster’s Champions Cup pool-stage visit to Leicester Tigers.

The game will kick off at 8pm on Premier Sports 1, for those of you who have a subscription.

Otherwise, it’s Gavan Casey with you here, and I’ll bring you a blow-by-blow account of this Round 2 fixture — or close enough to it — as Leinster’s seek their second European victory on the spin and Tigers chase an unlikely, but not impossible, first win.

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The 42′s Ciarán Kennedy is at Welford Road and he has just given me word of a change to Leinster’s lineup, which is on the way in the next post!

Ciarán on the ground in Leicester informs me that Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out, with Tom Clarkson starting at tighthead and Rabah Slimani coming onto the bench.

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Unsure of the nature of Furlong’s injury for the time being, but below is how the sides will line out now:

Leicester Tigers: Freddie Steward, Adam Radwan, Will Wand, Solomone Kata, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Billy Searle, Tom Whiteley; Nicky Smith, Jamie Blamire, Joe Heyes, Cameron Henderson, Harry Wells, James Thompson, Tommy Reffell (captain), Joaquin Moro

Replacements: Finn Theobald-Thomas, Archie van der Flier, Will Hurd, Tom Manz, Sam Williams, Ollie Allan, Orlando Bailey, Joe Woodward

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Paddy McCarthy, Rónan Kelleher, Tom Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain)

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangan, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast, Ciaran Frawley.

Officials: Pierre Brousset leads an all-French crew, assisted by Vincent Blasco Baque and Julien Caulier, with Tual Trainini in the TMO booth.

Leicester, for what it’s worth, are without their injured Lion Ollie Chessum, as well as Hanro Liebenberg, Jack van Poortvliet and James O’Connor, which is suboptimal for the English side.

Dan Sheehan, Jack Conan and Ollie Chessum celebrating their Lions success. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Still, a Friday night at Welford Road with Leicester almost needing a result has the bang of a big home performance off it.

Leinster, meanwhile, will be seeking to tighten things up after conceding four tries to Harlequins last weekend — less than a year after nilling them in the knockouts.

Leinster have won their last four games against Tigers with room to spare. Their last trip to Welford Road, in January 2024, ended in a 27-10 success — although you’ll recall it was a fairly hard-fought game for much of it.

What does a game 23 months ago have to do with anything, you might ask?

The answer is, of course, nothing.

I’m just passing the time until kick-off at 8.

I’d love to watch this one in the pub but virtually everybody else on The 42 team booked this evening off. I was caught napping. Schoolboy error, and here we are, on this wonderful liveblogging journey together.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

I’m looking forward to the game either way and I hope you are too, wherever you are!

Tadhg Furlong, who I mentioned earlier has been ruled out (Clarkson starts, Slimani on the bench), just has an illness, by the way.

Good news in the long run but bad news for Furlong right now, obviously.

What do you reckon?

Love seeing fans enjoying themselves but you look like a rooster, Champ.

Wait a second — Richard… Cockerel?

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Almost time for kick-off at Welford Road. Based on the poll results in this liveblog, either Leinster supporters are extremely confident or fans of the other provinces are trying to make them look very confident in the hope of setting them up for a fall!

Might have to rethink doing polls in these, actually, ha!

You just about have time to make a kettle run, I reckon, if you’re like me and insist on a 2.5-to-3-minute brew.

1′ – TIG-LEIN: I’m gonna refer to Leicester as ‘TIG’ in the score updates at the start of these to avoid confusion.

Pierre Brousset sounds his whistle and Leinster get us underway through the boot of Harry Byrne. Big night ahead for the out-half!

2′ – TIG 0-0 LEIN: Nasty collision between Tigers tackler Freddie Steward and Leinster carrier Jack Conan.

Conan collected a crossfield kick and slipped to almost ground level. Steward was attempting to make a tackle — he’s very low, in fairness — and he smashes Conan high.

But Conan is sliding on his knees into contact, leaning backwards almost. It’s a split-second thing and Brousset doesn’t see it as an incident of foul play.

I would agree — and most importantly, Jack Conan is alright.

5′ – TIG 0-0 LEIN: Some stout Leicester defence in the opening five minutes — but it’s all Leinster. Can feel a creak coming in this Tigers defence.

6′ – TIG 0-0 LEIN: Leinster might have a score here — Tommy O’Brien did indeed find a creak in that Tigers defence!

Brousset’s onfield decision is try after O’Brien scores from a clever-looking lineout move — but the officials are wondering whether Robbie Henshaw was offside before collecting the long throw by Sheehan and teeing up O’Brien for the linebreak.

TMO and Brousset looking at it.

6′ – TIG 0-0 LEIN: Try disallowed — the officials adjudge that Henshaw had broken the line before the ball left the hooker’s hands.

Leinster have an opening score chalked off and Leicester win a penalty which gives them their first entry into the Leinster 22′ up the other end!

7′ – TIG 0-0 LEIN: O’Briens Tommy and Jimmy combine to shunt Ollie Hassell-Collins into touch off a first-phase Leicester attack in Leinster’s 22′.

Good D by the visitors in what was their first real examination so far.

12′ – TIG 0-0 LEIN: Unreal defensive set by Leicester around halfway but they can’t get the ball off the field, with Tom Whiteley making a bags of two box-kicks.

Leinster, though, do the job for them with an errant crossfield kick by Byrne, who’s had a slightly jittery start here.

15′ TIG 0-3 LEIN: Harry Byrne chips Leinster into the lead from just outside the 22′ after a succession of Leicester infringements.

A couple of changes to tell you about, also…

16′ – TIG 0-3 LEIN: Max Deegan came on for Jack Conan after that early collision — Conan has now failed his HIA.

And Ciarán Frawley is on for Jimmy O’Brien at fullback. Frawley has already made one nice break from his 22′ up to halfway which ultimately led to those three Leinster points.

17′ – TIG 0-3 LEIN: Tigers deep into Leinster territory and win a scrum pen just outside the away 5′.

They opt for three rather than another scrum, which maybe suggests they don’t feel they were actually dominant in that one.

Billy Searle chips over the leveller.

21′ – TRY FOR TIGERS! TIG 10-3 LEIN: Adam Radwan! Take a bow, Sir!

The Leicester flier pounces on a loose Leinster ball in his own 22′ and fly-hacks down the right wing three times to perfection, diving on the ball a few yards shy of the dead-ball line.

Welford Road erupts, a try out of nothing.

And it does so again when Searle nails the afters from the right-hand touchline!

Leicester lead 10-3.

29′ – TIG 10-3 LEIN: Leinster made good inroads into the Leicester 22′ a few moments ago, with Rieko Ioane in particular making some noteworthy progress, but Tigers turned them over on their own five-metre line.

It’s been a bit scrappy since then with the game mostly revolving around the scrum since around the 25th minute.

Leinster would appear to have the upper hand in the scrum, too, after the earlier penalty in Leicester’s favour.

31′ – TIG 10-6 LEIN: Leinster win a scrum-pen advantage just inside the Tigers half, then take it up as far as the 22′ where Leicester infringe at the ruck.

After consultation with the touchline, Caelan Doris points to the sticks and Harry Byrne does the rest.

Four-point game at Welford Road. And a fiercely-fought one so far, too!

35′ – TIG 10-6 LEIN: Harry Byrne, admittedly under pressure, misjudges a kick from hand inside his own half and puts it out on the full.

It’s not quite been his day so far.

Leinster, though, win a penalty when Leicester are guilty of crossing off first-phase following the consequent lineout.

37′ – TIG 10-6 LEIN: CHANCE FOR LEINSTER! A beautiful move down the left involving a Deegan offload to Lowe, but the Ireland wing fires his pass too far in front of Rónan Kelleher down the left edge and it flies forward into touch.

Kelleher had the line in sight, albeit just outside the Tigers 22′. It looked a likely try if not a guaranteed one. Lowe will have expected more of himself there.

39′ – TIG 10-6 LEIN: Tigers botched the lineout after Lowe’s error — but eventually win a scrum penalty on Paddy McCarthy off a Leinster put-in, inside their own 22′.

Huge roar from the home players and fans.

Scrum battle has been… even, really?

40′ – TRY FOR LEICESTER TIGERS! TIG 15-6 LEINSTER: Ollie Hassell-Collins out of nothing again! Wow!

A crossfield kick on the wrap-around by Searle, and Hassel-Collins volleys it forward with his left foot.

It pinballs off James Lowe, evades Ciarán Frawley, and Hassel-Collins gobbles it up to dive over for a second Leicester try on the cusp of half-time!

Searle’s left-hand conversion drifts wide but Tigers are on top at the break, 15-6!

Wild half. Leinster, you could argue, were marginally the more dangerous-looking side — but two opportunistic scores by Tigers, who have been excellent in defence, have put them in the driving seat at Welford Road.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassel-Collins with the scores, one of which was converted by Billy Searle.

Harry Byrne with two pens for Leinster at 0-0 and 10-3 to Tigers.

What a second half we have in store!

41′ – TIG 15-6 LEIN: Billy Searle restarts the game at Welford Road.

A big 40 minutes ahead here for both sides!

42′ – TIG 15-6 LEIN: Worth noting that Leinster don’t have a full bench to introduce in the second half. Max Deegan already on for Jack Conan and Ciarán Frawley on for Jimmy O’Brien since the first half.

Meanwhile, James Lowe slices an exit out on the full and Leicester win a penalty from the ensuing lineout on the Leinster 10′. Rónan Kelleher pinged for going off his feet, harshly. Looked a good turnover by Kelleher.

Earle will have a pop at the posts from about 45 — but he pulls it wide. Justice done in that instance.

46′ – TIG 15-6 LEIN: Leicester win a scrum pen on their own put-in on the Leinster 10′.

This one on Tom Clarkson, and Searle this time will go towards the corner.

Leicester, however, make a hames of their lineout maul and Leinster are now into the Leicester half after a big Paddy McCarthy carry!

48′ – TIG 15-6 LEIN: Tigers defend well once more and eventually force a bit of pinball at the base of a Leinster ruck on the home 22′. Gibson-Park spills forward and Leicester get the scrum. Huge home cheer again, and a little bit of afters which Brousset quells.

50′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! GIBSON-PARK!

Leicester fail to hook a ball in a scrum in which they appeared on top, and the it spills back out the side having touched one of their locks’ boots!

Gibson-Park pounces and finishes well down the right with Leicester at sea.

Harry Byrne converts from the right-hand touchline — and Leinster are back within two!

Like Leicester’s tries: outta nowhere!

Apologies, by the way: I realise I referred to ‘Dan Sheehan’ during Tommy O’Brien’s disallowed try in the second minute. It was, of course, Rónan Kelleher who threw that ball out the back to Henshaw. But Sheehan is on for Kelleher now.

55′ – TIG 15-13 LEIN: Leicester are pinged for a tackle off the ball inside their own half. Leinster go to the line.

Big chance just outside the Tigers’ 5′!

56′ – TIG 15-13 LEIN: Leinster win a penalty advantage at the maul and their attack leads to nothing after a speculative crossfield kick by Byrne with little else on.

They’ll have another go from a five-metre lineout!

Big moments, these…

57′ – TIG 15-13 LEIN: Tigers this time stop the maul expertly but play Sheehan from an offside position as he tries to peel around the back!

Leinster attack wide left but get it wrong. Brousset gives Tigers a warning as he brngs it back for another pen.

Leinster shift to a five-metre tap — and Nicky Smith of Leicester holds up Joe McCarthy over the line! A massive intervention by the home favourite! Goal-line drop-out for Tigers.

That’s some stand by the hosts.

And what’s more, they turn Leinster over from the resulting goal-line drop. Welford Road going mad.

Leinster have been on top since their try — but Leicester are firmly in the fight still!

59′ – TIG 15-13 LEIN: Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani on for Leinster, who now have an all-new front row.

Scrum Tigers from the goal-line-drop turnover that I mentioned a moment ago. It’s reset once and then Leinster win a penalty! Slimani!

Leinster with a chance to take the lead from centre-right, about 35 yards from goal!

61′ – TIG 15-16 LEIN: Harry Byrne slots it! He’s been excellent from the tee.

Leinster, who las led at 3-0, do so again!

Can they turn the screw now at Welford Road?

62′ – TIG 15-16 LEIN: Sam Prendergast on for Harry Byrne. I believe Josh van der Flier’s cousin, Ollie van der Flier, is also on for Tigers.

Leicester win a pen and have a lineout on the Leinster 22′.

64′ – TIG 15-16 LEIN: A brilliant Leicester attack is met by brilliant Leinster defence — and the visitors win a penalty for a neckroll by Leicester’s Henderson!

That was big.

66′ – TIG 15-16 LEIN: Leinster scrum just outside the Tigers’ 22′ but Henshaw spills forward on first-phase.

72′ – TIG 15-16 LEIN: Tigers concede a pen inside their own 22′ for accidental offside!

73′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! TIG 15-23 LEIN: DAN SHEEHAN!!! Leinster go to the line an Sheehan finishes the rolling maul!

And Prendergast splits the posts from the right-hand touchline to take it out to an eight-point game!

That oughtta do it.

76′ – TIG 15-23 LEIN: You can breathe a sigh of relief, Leinster fans!

To be fair, Leo Cullen’s side have done well to turn the screw on Tigers in this second half, and particularly in the last 10 minutes or so.

Their depth has told and Tigers have tired slightly in the last quarter after a mammoth effort by them.

77′ – TIG 15-23 LEIN: Tigers win a pen on halfway, Doris not releasing I think.

They line-kick it to just outside the Leinster 22′. They’re chasing a bonus point at this stage — there’s no chance they’re going to score twice given their energy levels and the pattern of the game to this point.

78′ – TIG 15-23 LEIN: Crooked throw at the Tigers’ lineout! Scrum Leinster just outside their own 22′.

That’ll do it. Ciarán Kennedy will have a full match report and reaction from Welford Road.

Thanks for joining me for live updates.

Have a great weekend and catch you soon!