Leinster v Northampton Saints: How to watch, TV channel, kick-off time, head-to-head stats and team news

Leinster and Northampton meet in the first semi-final of this season's European Rugby Champions Cup on Saturday.

Runners-up in the last two years, Leinster bounded over a psychological hurdle by beating the team that got the better of them in both of those finals, La Rochelle, twice, edging them first in the pool stages and then in the last eight.

They are now two wins from matching Toulouse, who face Harlequins in Sunday's second semi, in winning five European Cups but Saints, champions in 2000, have an exciting young team and currently sit top of the Premiership standings.

How to watch Leinster v Northampton Saints and TV Channel

The fixture will be broadcast in the UK on TNT Sports 2.

Leinster v Northampton Saints kick-off time, date and venue

The first semi-final will kick-off at 17:30 on Saturday 4th May at Croke Park, Dublin.

Leinster v Northampton Saints stats and head-to-head record (H2H)

Leinster have lost both matches since most recently beating La Rochelle 40-13 but there are caveats.

With a URC play-off spot almost guaranteed, they look to have prioritised this competition by selecting youthful sides for the defeats to Lions and Stormers during their tour of South Africa.

Their big guns are back for Saturday and they will be eyeing a second-ever victory at Croke Park, the traditional home of Gaelic Sports.

On that original occasion in 2009, they beat fellow Irish province Munster 25-6 on their way to being crowned European champions.

Leinster have since won the tournament in 2011, when they came form 22-6 behind at half-time to beat Saints 33-22 in the final, 2012 and 2018, while also losing finals in 2019, 2022 and 2023.

As well as losing the 2011 final, Saints won this tournament in 2000, beating Munster 9-8.

Like Leinster, they have won on all six of their European outings this season and while they have also rotated, some of their big boys have still seen plenty of minutes and should be battle-hardened after losing 41-32 to Quins last Saturday.

The pair have met eight times, with Nothampton's sole win coming in December 2013.

Leinster v Northampton Saints head-to-head record (H2H)

Leinster wins	7
Draws	0
Northampton wins	1

*H2H stats refer to all competitions

Read the latest tips, predictions and odds for Leinster v Northampton Saints

Leinster v Northampton Saints team news

Leinster team news

Leinster have recalled 13 of the side that beat La Rochelle in the quarters.

The two that come in are lock Ross Molony and flanker Josh van der Flier, with Jason Jenkins dropping to the bench and Will Connors omitted from the squad.

Northampton team news

Courtney Lawes returns to captain Northampton from blindside flanker, with Lewis Ludlam ruled out by a shoulder injury, while locks Alex Moon and Alex Coles also come into Saints' starting XV.

Behind the scrum, George Hendy starts on the wing after injury, while it is a special day for loosehead prop Alex Waller, who makes his 375th appearance for the club.