Leinster v Wasps

(Aviva Stadium) - April 1

Form in Europe this season: Leinster qualified as fourth seeds with their campaign being built around impressive back-to-back wins over Northampton in rounds three and four when they looked irresistible. There had been a hiccough in the second round at Montpellier but a last-minute try and conversion by Isa Nacewa secured a bonus point and kept morale high. They destroyed the same opponents 57-3 at home but weren’t at their best in the final round, drawing 24-24 at Castres.

On paper, Wasps qualified easily enough in a pool from which Toulouse also advanced, but in reality it was far from straightforward. Wasps controversial last-minute 20-18 defeat at Connacht in round four – when the home side scored from a lineout that should not have been allowed – rocked them back and plunged them into a dog fight. Dan Robson saved the day at home to Toulouse with a match-winning try in the 79th minute and they found Zebre away more resilient than normal although they did eventually win

41-27 to clinch top spot.

European pedigree: Both started slowly in Europe before putting some stick about. Leinster won three finals between 2009 and 2012 while Wasps have won the competition twice, in 2004 and 2007.

Head to Head in Europe: Wasps lead 4-2 with one drawn game.

Home advantage? Yes and no. Except for last year Leinster have been formidable in Europe for a good while now and especially at home but many Wasps can reflect on an absolutely stunning 33-6 win at the RDS last season. This is at a packed Aviva and the Test-match feel should suit both teams. With Nigel Owens in

charge it should be free flowing.

Key players: Jonny Sexton, of course, but Leinster need to dominate up front to keep Wasps at bay and Sean O’Brien, far left, looks like he’s returning to top form. For Wasps Ashley Johnson, near left, is usually the man who galvanises the pack but if they’re going to win this Danny Cipriani needs to have one of his special days.

Prediction: Full-tilt, bang-on, thrill-aminute European classic. Leinster by five.