The lock will lead the four-time champions out at the Aviva Stadium in the absence of veteran fly-half Johnny Sexton, who is injured.

Leinster regularly opted to kick for the posts from penalties in last season’s Heineken Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle in Marseille, but Ryan insists there are no plans to implement a different approach prior to kick off this evening.

"It's not that easy," he said. "A big part of it is feel - trusting your gut and instinct.

"We'll see how the game has gone, see how our set piece is doing, how our lineout drive is doing and the way of all these things.

"It won't just be my decision, it'll be a decision I made alongside Garry [Ringrose], Ross Byrne, Ross Molony. We'll see how we're doing."

With year’s final ending 24-21 in La Rochelle’s favour after a last-gasp Arthur Retiere try, Ryan is anticipating another tight encounter where every point matters,

"You just know finals are about fine margins and this will be no different," he said.

"It's going to be another close final, I think, but the big thing for us is we prepared really well all week, we're in a great space and we're excited to play in a home final.

"All the important parts of the game are still there. Defence is so important in a final, they've got a particularly good attack, great width, set piece is crucial. So, it's just getting those areas right in the game.”

Leinster Rugby captain James Ryan says big decisions in today’s Heineken Champions Cup final against Stade Rochelais will be made based on “feel”.