Robbie Henshaw is offside from the line-out and referee Pierre Brousset consults with his team of officials before ruling it out.

It's still 0-0.

Leinster are hogging the possession and a searing break by winger Tommy O'Brien gets him over the line at the second time of asking after he is originally tackled just short.

But it's going to be checked by the referee, not for the grounding, but for a possible offside in the build-up.

Conan slipped as he caught that ball and Steward was as low as he could be while standing up - it was a big old collision as they arrived at almost the same time but the referee says there was no foul play.

Conan will have to go for a head injury assessment though.

Image source, Reuters

All Leinster in the early exchanges as Jamison Gibson-Park snipes and Joe McCarthy is almost through a gap.

There's a cross-field kick fielded by Jack Conan who drops low to the ground to take the catch and there's a big collision with the Tigers full-back Freddie Steward.

That looked painful.

There are plenty of colourful outfits on show in the crowd tonight and it's always nice to see a few Santas watching the rugby at this time of year.

Leicester are in their traditional green against Leinster in their change strip of white and yellow.

Here we go!

Alex Goode
Former England and Saracens full-back on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

This Leinster team is breathtaking with all the Lions they have but they are coming here to a cold, wet stadium to face a Leicester side who want to go after them and force mistakes. We know the crowd will get behind them.

Image source, Shutterstock

There were contrasting fortunes for these two sides in the opening round of pool matches last week as the Tigers fell to defeat and Leinster picked up maximum points.

A much-changed Leicester side put in a spirited performance at Top 14 side La Rochelle but were ultimately well beaten 39-20 by Ronan O'Gara's men and left France without even a bonus point to their name.

Meanwhile, Leinster bagged five points as they began their latest quest for a fifth Champions Cup title with a handsome win against Harlequins.

The Tigers will hope the return of some more experienced stars will help them get some points on the board tonight but face a tough assignment against a strong Leinster side who will be intent on strengthening their position in Pool Three.

We've had a late change to the Leinster line-up.

Tadhg Furlong has pulled out through illness meaning Thomas Clarkson comes into the starting 15 in his place.

France international Rabah Slimani has been added to the replacements - not a bad player to have in reserve!

Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Wand, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Searle, Whiteley; Smith, Blamire, Heyes, Henderson, Wells, Thompson, Reffell (C), Moro.

Replacements: Theobald-Thomas, A. Van der Flier, Hurd, Manz, Williams, Allan, Bailey, Woodward.

Leinster: J. O'Brien; T. O'Brien, Ioane, Henshaw, Lowe; Byrne, Gibson-Park; P McCarthy, Kelleher, Clarkson, J McCarthy, Ryan, Conan, J. Van der Flier, Doris (C).

Replacements: Sheehan, Boyle, Slimani, Mangan, Deegan, McGrath, Prendergast, Frawley.

Image source, Getty Images

All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane is handed his first Leinster start after making his debut off the bench in last week's win over Harlequins.

Ioane is partnered by the returning Robbie Henshaw, while James Lowe is fit to start on the left wing after recovering from a calf injury.

Head coach Leo Cullen has recalled Harry Byrne at fly-half who is given his chance at the expense of Sam Prendergast, who drops to the bench after starting last week.

James Ryan is named in the second row after serving a suspension following a red card in Ireland's November defeat by South Africa, while there are two front-row changes as Tadhg Furlong and Ronan Kelleher replace Thomas Clarkson and Dan Sheehan at tight-head prop and hooker.

Image source, Shutterstock

Leicester Tigers welcome back England internationals Freddie Steward, Joe Heyes and Jamie Blamire for Friday night's clash at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Wales duo Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith also start as Tigers seek their first pool win after losing 39-20 to La Rochelle last weekend.

Flanker Reffell takes over the captaincy from hooker Charlie Clare, who does not feature in the matchday 23.

Head coach Geoff Parling said: "It's a proud moment for Tommy leading the team in what has been a big week for him with the birth of his daughter Nancy."

Meanwhile, Hanro Liebenberg has had surgery on his knee and is expected to be sidelined until the middle of January.

Image source, Getty Images

Good evening and welcome along to our live coverage of Leicester Tigers v Leinster.

The 2026 Champions Cup got under way last weekend with a hugely entertaining weekend of fixtures and if they are anything to go by then we should be in for another treat in this second round of pool matches.

What a cracker we have to start things off on this festive Friday evening as two-time winners Leicester take on a Leinster side that have won the trophy on four occasions.

First up, let's take a look at the team news, which includes a first start for a certain 88-cap All Black.