Leinster can prove their right to the title of Europe’s best

It’s the pinnacle of the rugby season in the northern hemisphere and Ireland have once again proved their strength at the top level as Leinster prepare to take on Northampton.

Josef Schmidt’s side are the 4/9 favourites to beat Northampton when the two teams line-up in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday, and Leinster are looking for their second European triumph in three years.

Leinster’s appearance in the Heineken Cup final will be the fourth time Ireland have been represented in the final in the last six years, and all three previous appearances were victorious ones.

All three victories also came under the Millennium Stadium roof as the omens look strong for Leinster this year.

The Irish side face a tough challenge in Northampton, a team that has gone through this season’s Heineken Cup competition unbeaten, but it was the quality of Leinster’s quarter-final and semi-final victories over Leicester and Toulouse that makes them the standout bet.

A day after watching Leinster secure a place in the Magners League Final (Leinster are 4/5 to beat Munster on May 28), Northampton lost to Leicester in their own domestic play-off and Jim Mallinder’s side are the 2/1 underdogs to win.

Only three of the 14 Heineken Cup finals have ever been dominated by one team and punters can find plenty of value in the Heineken Cup final handicap betting.

In the last three years the winning margin has been, two points, three points and three points which leaves the 9/2 for Leinster to win by 1-5 points the standout value.

Northampton are very tempting value at 10/11 with a six-point start, but Leinster also offer plenty of value at 4/5 to be winning at half-time and at full-time.

A £10 stake on Leinster winning by 1-5 points would return £55. New customers can sign up here to take advantage of a free bet worth up to £30.