DUEL IN DUBLIN

It’s the big one of the season – Ulster v Leinster at the RDS!

Unfortunately for Ulster it has come at the wrong time as they haven’t found form since January. Going away to Leinster is undoubtedly the hardest away match in the league and when your players are short on match fitness and there are still a few missing through injury, it just makes the match that bit harder.

It will take everything Ulster have got to come away with anything…

Boys in Blue vs. White Knights

It’s slightly ironic to look back to only three or four years ago and this game would have been instantly written off as a home win. Indeed, most of the focus would be on the Leinster v Munster match which would take place at around the same time.

This season it is all change. After the Heineken Cup final last season, the pendulum has swung and it is now this match that all the focus is on, and it is no longer a home banker. When both sides play well, the match is one to behold and is worth the watch.

It is fitting therefore that the game is the week before the European quarter-finals since both sides will be putting out their best teams ahead of their respective knock-out matches. This means there will be no excuses for the team that loses. No holding back.

Therefore, Ulster’s players must be at the top of their games to even stand a chance of winning, that’s how good Leinster are. In fact, it is testament to how good that Leinster’s side is that they have fifteen players in their twenty-three that have been internationally capped, compared to Ulster’s eleven.

So Ulster must front up. The inclusion of Chris Henry at 7 shows that the breakdown will be crucial to who wins the game, and whichever side wins that battle will probably come away with the win. Both sides have the backs to win any match, it just depends who gets the quick, clean ball from the forwards.

What could cost Ulster the match is their rustiness. Players like Chris Henry, Roger Wilson and Iain Henderson are only just back from injury and to win in the RDS you need as strong a team as possible, and as fit as possible. The chances of Henry lasting the full 80 minutes is low, so Anscombe will have to prepare for when he has to come off.

Unfortunately I can only see this match going one way. As much as I want to see Ulster winning, with the form they are in, the opposition they face and the players they have unavailable I don’t think it’s possible. A good performance ahead of next week’s game and I think everyone at Ulster will be happy. Prediction – Leinster by 6.

Teams

Leinster have seven internationals returning into their starting line-up. Rob Kearney and Brendan Macken are brought into the back line while Joe Schmidt has changed his entire front row with Cian Healy and Mike Ross returning from international duty and Richardt Strauss coming back from injury to be hooker. Devin Toner starts ahead of Leo Cullen at lock and Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip returns at number eight.

Ulster make six changes to the side that lost to Edinburgh last weekend. There are two changes in the backs as Ruan Pienaar returns to scrum-half after injury and Craig Gilroy starts at wing. Rory Best lines up at hooker alongside Ricky Lutton who makes his first start at tighthead in the absence of John Afoa. Chris Henry and Nick Williams are brought into the back row after returning from injury.

Leinster Rugby vs. Ulster Rugby

Saturday 30^th March, 18:15

RDS Arena, Dublin

RaboDirect Pro12, Round 19

Live on RTE TWO and BBC2 NI

LEINSTER RUGBY

15. Rob Kearney, 14. Dave Kearney, 13. Brendan Macken, 12. Gordon D’Arcy, 11. Isa Nacewa, 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Isaac Boss; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Richardt Strauss, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Quinn Roux, 6. Kevin McLaughlin, 7. Shane Jennings, 8. Jamie Heaslip (c).

16. Sean Cronin, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Jamie Hagan, 19. Leo Cullen, 20. Rhys Ruddock, 21. John Cooney, 22. Andrew Goodman, 23. Andrew Conway.

ULSTER RUGBY

15. Jared Payne, 14. Andrew Trimble, 13. Darren Cave, 12. Stuart Olding, 11. Craig Gilroy, 10. Paddy Jackson, 9. Ruan Pienaar; 1. Tom Court, 2. Rory Best, 3. Ricky Lutton, 4. Johann Muller (c), 5. Dan Tuohy, 6. Robbie Diack, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Nick Williams.

16. Rob Herring, 17. Callum Black, 18. Kyle McCall, 19. Lewis Stevenson, 20. Iain Henderson, 21. Roger Wilson, 22. Paul Marshall, 23. Peter Nelson.

Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 53^rd competition game)

Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, David Connolly (both IRFU)

Citing Commissioner: Murray White (IRFU)

TMO: Jude Quinn (IRFU)

Around the grounds

This weekend features the Millennium Magic matches in Wales where both Welsh derbies are held at the national stadium on Saturday. How will they go, and how about the others?

Zebre vs. Edinburgh Rugby – Away win

Glasgow Warriors vs. Munster Rugby – Home win

Newport-Gwent Dragons vs. Scarlets – Away win

Cardiff Blues vs. Ospreys – Away win

Benetton Rugby Treviso vs. Connacht Rugby – Home win