Leinster's defeat to Bordeaux in last season's Champions Cup final was their fifth since they last won the tournament in 2018.
The Dublin outfit begin their latest quest for a fifth European title away at French club Clermont.
Les Jaunards lost three finals between 2013 and 2017, but they are not the powerhouse they once were, finishing seventh in last season's Top 14 and winning only two of their first six matches this season.
Both victories came at the Stade Marcel-Michelin, where they also lost by a point to Bordeaux last Saturday.
However, Leinster look almost fully loaded and should start the tournament with a solid win.
Clermont Auvergne v Leinster Tips Summary
Best Bet - Leinster to win by 13+ points @ 11/10
Alternative Bet - Jack Conan anytime tryscorer @ 15/8
Bet Builder - Jimmy O'Brien to score a try, Garry Ringrose to score a try & Dan Sheehan to score a try @ 11/1
Clermont Auvergne v Leinster Prediction
Best Bet: Leinster to win by 13+ points @ 11/10
This season, the Champions Cup rules have changed with a tweak to the try bonus points system. Previously, a side got one point for scoring four or more tries, but now they need to win by three or more tries to earn the bonus point.
This is to boost competitiveness and ensure more to play for in pool matches, but Leinster should still be the team to beat in their section.
They have home games against Sale and Pau before heading to Leicester for their final Pool 1 match, and can start with a win in the Auvergne.
After sending a mixed side to South Africa, where Leo Cullen's team lost to Lions and Sharks in the URC, the big guns returned for last Saturday's 29-5 win over Cardiff.
That was the first game at the revamped RDS and playing at their spiritual home rather than the Aviva should help Leinster, while they may also gain motivation from this being Cullen's last year as head coach.
Clermont's best results have been at the Stade Marcel-Michelin, but while Leinster have named a strong team, the hosts' selection looks weaker than the one that lost to Bordeaux, so expect a comfortable away success.
Alternative Bet - Jack Conan anytime tryscorer @ 15/8
Conan is one of four Leinster players who featured when these teams last met in France, Clermont's 27-22 semi-final win in 2017.
While he emerged as a hard-nosed number eight, Conan has evolved into something different.
The 34-year-old now shows softer hands and subtle running lines, while still hitting hard in defence.
Conan has become a regular try scorer, which includes dotting down against Cardiff, and he is a decent price to go over again.
Clermont Auvergne v Leinster Bet Builder Tip
Jimmy O'Brien to score a try
Garry Ringrose to score a try
Dan Sheehan to score a try
Pays 11/1
Utility back Jimmy O'Brien looks to be locking the left-wing slot down and scored two tries in Leinster's win over Cardiff.
O'Brien can cross again, and so can centre Garry Ringrose, who has a great record against Clermont.
The centre scored an incredible solo try in that 2017 semi-final and also went over the last time they met, in Dublin in December 2024.
At 31, Ringrose isn't as quick as he was but could still thrive in the space provided by Leinster's big pack.
Captain Dan Sheehan can help with that effort, but the hooker remains a demon when he gets close to the line.
Sheehan's ability to burrow over at close range and use his mobility in the loose makes him a candidate to round off this treble.
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Key Match Stats
Leinster have won four Champions Cups
However, since their last victory in 2018, they have lost five finals
Clermont have lost three Champions Cup finals (2013, 2015 and 2017)
Les Jaunards' only two wins in six Top 14 games were at home
Jimmy O'Brien scored two tries in Leinster's 29-5 win over Cardiff
Garry Ringrose has scored in the last two meetings
Read more rugby union betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
