Combined XV: Leinster v Toulouse

Leinster and Toulouse will go head to head at the Aviva Stadium today to decide who will meet Saracens in the Champions Cup final at St. James Park. 

Both teams have been incredible throughout the Champions Cup and in their respective domestic competitions with both sides leading their respective tables.

As we await the blockbuster showdown we have decided to select our combined starting XVs from the line ups named. 

1. Cian Healy - Leinster

Healy has been in fine form and the veteran test international beats the young French loosehead Clement Castets to a place in the side. Healy has built on his game over the years and will provide a fantastic match up with Charlie Faumuina.

2. Sean Cronin - Leinster

One of the easiets decisions to make with Toulouse battling with a bit of a hooker crissis of late. If fit Julien Marchand will have started this game and given Cronin a bit more of a run for his money but they Irishman beats 22-year-old Peato Mauvaka to a place in the side. Cronin will hope to use this clash to set up following Joe Schmidt's decision to drop him from the Ireland squad following his game against Italy. 

3. Charlie Faumuina - Toulouse 

An incredibly close call with two world class tighthead vying for the no.3 jeresey but the former All Black pips Tadgh Furlong for a place in the side. Furlong has set a new standard for tighthead props over the past few seasons but hasn't hit usual highs over the past few months, despite still playing well. Faumuina, on the other hand, has been superb for Toulouse in all facets of the game. 

4. Devin Toner - Leinster

Toner looked to have nailed down a starting role with Ireland before he was struck down by injury and will look to bounce back quickly in what will be his second game back for his Province. He beats former Brumby Richie Arnold to the side, who has made quite an impact since joining the side earlier this season. 

5. James Ryan - Leinster

Richie Gray's fine run of form is not enough to pip James Ryan to a place in the side. Ryan has been unbelieveable consistent for province and country since he burst onto the scene and will be one of the men Toulouse will have to keep an eye on if they hope to reach the final.

6. Rynhardt Elstadt - Toulouse 

The former Stormer has made quite the impact at Toulouse with his incredible work rate that seems him feature in top 10 of tackles made in both the Champions Cup and Top 14. Elstadt beats the ever-consistent Rhys Ruddock to the side, with South African's work rate and agression just giving him the edge. 

7. Joe Tekori - Toulouse 

Toulouse fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Tekori was cleared to feature for Toulouse after he was cited for a dangerous tackle against Clermont. At the age of 35, Tekori is still one of the most destructive forward and hard working forwards in Europe. His current form just sees him pip Sean O'Brien to a place in the side, and just.

8. Jerome Kaino - Toulouse 

Two in form no.8s went head to head for a place in the side with Jack Conan putting in an outstanding performance to help Leinster to the semi-final but he is beaten to the side by the outstanding Jerome Kaino. Kaino has been superb for Toulouse since joining from the Blues. Kaino has played a pivitol role in helping a young Toulouse side become an European powerhouse once again. 

9. Antoine Dupont - Toulouse 

A positional switch for Dupont to feature in our side as he features in his favoured position in the #9 jersey. Luke McGrath has been excellent for Leinster and is pushing for a place in the Ireland squad while Sebastien Bezy's form Toulouse has been sensational. However, Dupont is one of the finest scrumhalves in the game at the moment and features in that role in our team.

10. Jonathan Sexton - Leinster

A leader for the big moments in matches, Sexton struggled for form during the Six Nations and makes his return for Leinster in Champions Cup semi-final. Sexton has time and time again produced stellar performances when it has counted most and he is the man you want in the #10 jersey when the game is coming down to the wire.

11. Cheslin Kolbe - Toulouse 

Another tough choice between to fantastic wingers with James Lowe missing out to the electric Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe. The compact Springbok can break a game open with his lovely footwork and sheering pace and despite his size he is still an incredible defender.

12. Robbie Henshaw - Leinster

Pita Ahki is one of the most unluckiest players to miss out due to his form with the French side but the verstile and solid Robbie Henshaw just edges the former Connacht man to a place in the side. Henshaw is an outstanding defensive player and is another big threat to Toulouse's chances of making the final.

13. Sofiane Guitoune - Toulouse 

Another almost impossible decision to make with two outstanding candaites vying for the #13 jersey. Guitoune claims the jersey over Ringrose with the Toulouse man arguably the form outside centre in Europe at the moment. Guitoune was outstanding against Leinster in the pool stages and his current form has lead French newspaper Midi Olympique to select him as their number one French player, who didn't feature in the Six Nations, that should go to the World Cup in Japan.

14. Jordan Larmour - Leinster

Yoann Huget has superb for Toulouse this season, despite struggling for France, but misses out on a place in the side to Leinster's speedster Jordan Larmour. Like Kolbe, Larmour can turn a game on its head with his sensational footwork and eletric speed. 

15. Rob Kearney - Leinster

Toulouse's Thomas Ramos put in a fine display against Clermont last week to secure the #15 jersey over Maxime Medard but unfortunately for him, he is unable to displace Rob Kearney in our combined team. Like Sexton, Kearney has a knack for producing outstanding performance in key matches and is likely to do so in the semi final. Kearney is incredible in the air and safe at the back while still providing a real attacking threat.