Leinster vs Edinburgh Prediction: Cullen’s troops to march on in style

The opening round of the knockout stage of the 2025/26 European Champions Cup concludes on Easter Sunday as Leinster welcome Edinburgh to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (KO 17:30, Premier Sports 1).

Leinster boss Leo Cullen has named a stacked side to face the Scottish visitors as the road to the final in Bilbao reaches the last-16 stage. Below are my Leinster vs Edinburgh predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Leinster are leaving nothing to chance as the four-time winners have named a strong starting XV that includes 14 Irish internationals alongside All Black Rieko Ioane.

Harry Byrne wears the No.10 shirt with Sam Prendergast omitted from the matchday 23. Jamison Gibson-Park continues at scrum-half, while Ioane takes the spot of the injured Garry Ringrose and slots in alongside Jamie Osborne in the centres.

Hugo Keenan's return to full-back sees Jimmy O'Brien shift to the left wing with Tommy O'Brien on the right.

Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong are in the front row with Dan Sheehan, while Ryan Baird returns from his four-month layoff alongside Joe McCarthy in the engine room. Skipper Caelan Doris is at No.8 with Josh van der Flier at openside and Max Deegan on the blindside.
Edinburgh are without captain Magnus Bradbury (ankle) as well as Scotland star Duhan van der Merwe.

Hooker Ewan Ashman will reach a landmark 50th appearance in the front row alongside D'arcy Rae. Ben Muncaster returns at No.8 in the only other change for the Scottish side.
Coach Sean Everitt has named Piers O'Conor at full-back with British & Irish Lion Darcy Graham joining Malelili Satala on the wings.

James Lang and Matt Currie are the centres, with the half-back combination of Charlie Shiel and Ross Thompson retained. Liam McConnell at blindside flanker and Dylan Richardson at openside join Muncaster in the back row with Marshall Sykes and skipper Grant Gilchrist in the engine room.

Leinster vs Edinburgh Odds

Leinster are firm favourites at 1/18 for this last-16 tussle, with Edinburgh priced at 17/2 for the upset win and the draw trading at 25/1. The three-way handicap has Leinster at 20/21 conceding 26 points, with the handicap draw at 20/1 and Edinburgh priced at 5/6.

Leinster -24 points @ 4/5

Edinburgh are heading for the Aviva Stadium on a run of three successive defeats and with just three wins to their name since the turn of the year.

Further problems for the Scots materialised with key internationals Bradbury and Van der Merwe ruled out.

Recent URC clashes between this pair have been close, with no more than nine points splitting them in the last three. It finished 28-20 here in January but that was the cold hard winter and the Irish province will have some spring in their step now.

Cullen has named a hugely powerful side with international quality throughout, while opposite number Everitt is travelling with a 'nothing to lose' mentality.

Leinster put 45 points on Harlequins at home in the pool stage before grinding past old foes La Rochelle. They should have plenty to spare after 80 minutes against a weakened Edinburgh outfit.

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