Leinster are gearing up for their bid for back to back Heineken European Champions Cup titles.

The Eastern province are training in Dublin today as they start the countdown to Saturday's final against Saracens at St James' Park in Newcastle.

Senior coach Stuart Lancaster has said he is 'optimistic' hooker Sean Cronin will be fit to start against the English side.  Cronin sustained a calf injury in the semi-final win over Toulouse but will train today.

Rhys Ruddock is set to be available for the showdown after completing the return to play protocols.  He will return to training this week.

The news is not so bright regarding Jamison Gibson Park, who picked up a hamstring injury against the Glasgow Warriors.  He will be assessed ahead of a final decision later in the week.  If he's unavailable, it could open to door for James Lowe to start.

Josh Van der Flier is unlikely to be fit for the decider due to a groin problem but could return for the Pro 14 semi-final with Munster at the RDS on Saturday week.

Barry Daly will miss the rest of the season after injuring his collarbone against Ulster.

Over 50,000 tickets have already been sold for the final between champions Leinster and the 2016 and 2017 winners Saracens.  It's the first major European final at the home of Newcastle United.  The game will be preceded by the Challenge Cup decider involving Clermont Auvergne and La Rochelle on Friday night.

Leinster are attempting to rewrite the record books by winning the Champions Cup for the fifth time.  They beat Saracens by 30 points to 19 when the sides met at the quarter-final stage in Dublin last year.

Second row James Ryan is in a confident mood:

"We're where we want to be, we want to be in finals rugby.  We've got at least two knockout games left which is great for the fans, who have been brilliant all season.  We're feeling good in what is a great week for the club."

Everyone’s in the Team Of Us.

Vodafone. The Official Sponsor of the Irish Rugby Team.