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Leinster vs Bulls Predictions & Tips - Leinster knockout curse can strike again

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 12 Jun 2025

Ralph Staniforth 12 Jun 2025

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Leinster are favorites with a strong home record.
Bulls have won their last 8 URC games, including against Leinster.
Both teams have made strategic adjustments in starting lineups due to injuries.

Expired

Bulls beat Leinster by one-point earlier this season. (Getty Images)

Leinster vs Bulls Preview

Leinster are favourites at home but have often in recent years fallen in knockout games in the URC and Europe. I am backing the Bulls to get close but don't write-off an upset win.

Leinster vs Bulls Preview
Head to Head
Leinster Form
Leinster Injuries & Team News
Leinster Starting Lineup & Subs
Bulls Form
Bulls Injuries & Team News
Bulls Starting Lineup & Subs

Leinster have won 18 of their last 20 URC matches.
Leinster have won their last 10 home URC matches.
Bulls beat Leinster by one-point earlier this season.
Bulls have won their last 8 URC matches.

Head to Head

When these two met earlier this season, the Bulls snuck a one-point win at home.

Leinster Form

Leinster have had another very strong season although once again, they have little to show for it. They have consistently been the strongest side in Europe over the last few years but have not won either the Champions Cup or URC.

This will be Leinster’s first final since the URC was formed. Despite being favourites every year, they tend to get knocked out in the quarters or semis. This year is slightly different with a home final to look forward to.

During the round robin stage, Leinster topped the table, winning 16 of their 18 matches. Their two defeats both came away from home, one of which was against the Bulls.

In the quarter-final, Leinster beat Scarlets 33-21 but were nowhere near their best. They were certainly far better in the semi against Glasgow last weekend, winning the game 37-19.

Leinster Injuries & Team News

Leinster have made two changes to their side from last week. Irish internationals, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier both return from injury. Jack Conan will be captain again.

It is a side laced with Irish internationals along with All Black Jordie Barrett in midfield.

Leinster Starting Lineup & Subs

15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter

Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jamie Osborne

Bulls Form

This is the fourth season of the URC, and this will be the Bulls third appearance in the final. However, they have failed to win in their previous two, despite playing the final at home last season.

Jake White’s side won 14 of their 18 league games this season and have shown consistency throughout the tournament. Their home form has been very strong but in Europe, they do often struggle.

In the quarter-final, the Bulls beat Edinburgh 42-33 after making a poor start to the game. Last week they were more clinical, defeating the Sharks 25-13 in the semi-final. It was the Bulls scrum that impressed mostly last week, and they’ll need a repeat performance against the Irish giants.

Bulls Injuries & Team News

Jake White has made just one change to the side that beat the Sharks last weekend. It is an injury enforced one with Springbok, Cameron Hanekom missing out. Another Springbok in Marco van Staden will start while Nizaam Carr coming onto the bench.

Bulls Starting Lineup & Subs

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canon Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Ruan Nortje (c), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams

Verdict

Leinster v Bulls

I am backing the Bulls to cover the +12.5 handicap and perhaps cause a huge shock in the URC final.

Bulls +12.5

Handicap

@10/11 - 3 Units

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