THE BIG ONE

Nine months of hard graft, one hundred and thirty two matches and two play-offs have all led to one match this Saturday, the 25^th of May – the RaboDirect Pro12 Grand Final at the RDS Arena in Dublin.

For the second time in Pro12 play-off history, the final will be an all-Irish affair, only unlike in 2010 when the two teams were Munster and Leinster, this season Leinster will again be one of the competitors, but Munster’s place is taken by Ulster.

There are obvious favourites for obvious reasons. Newly crowned Amlin Challenge Cup winners Leinster are very rarely beaten, and at the RDS they have been nearly unbeatable. Despite having a very poor start to the season, epitomised by a 45-20 drubbing away to the Scarlets, the Dubliners have excelled, hitting form at all the right times and only losing once since December.

However, crucially that one loss was to the one side that matter this weekend – Ulster. Buoyed by the return of all their big players for the March encounter, Ulster put in an inspired performance and came away with a brilliant 22-18 win from the RDS, their first in the Irish capital since 1999.

That was a very important catalyst for the Ulstermen. While in the short-term it hindered their push for a second consecutive appearance in the Heineken Cup final, it provided the motivation required to enable them to push on and finish top of the Pro12 and secure that all-important home semi-final.

What will be slightly disappointing is the fact that due to the ongoing development of Ravenhill, Ulster’s “home” final will be held at the RDS instead, two hours down the road. Against any other opposition this wouldn’t have been as big a problem, but with their fellow finalists being Leinster it means that all home advantage has gone.

Nevertheless, 9,000 Ulster fans are expected to make the journey to D4 tomorrow in order to cheer on the team. Should Ulster win it will be their first trophy since 2006, and it has been a very long wait for the loyal fans for a piece of silverware for their team. The prolonged dominance of Leinster and Munster won’t have made that wait any less painful.

The wait could be over by tomorrow night, but it will take something special for Ulster to do an unprecedented treble over their Irish counterparts. No mistakes, no missed chances. In finals you must take your chances, and if Ulster have learned anything this year then it will be that they have to be far more clinical than they have been all season. They will also have learned from Twickenham a month ago that they have to take their points when they are on offer, or they will be playing the hard game of catch up.

They will be boosted by the fact that Sean O’Brien has been ruled out for Leinster and that John Afoa is available for selection after worries he would not make it due to a hamstring injury. Small things like these can be a massive morale boost and Ulster must head into the game full of confidence that they will win, otherwise they could be on the end of another 42-14 drubbing like last season.

This is going to be a cracker.

All throughout this season I have given my predictions for matches. This week I considered not giving my prediction as I just don’t want to guess. I really want to think Ulster can do it, and they can, but Leinster are one of the most difficult sides to play in world rugby. Ah well, last game of the season, can’t back anyone else! Prediction – Ulster by 5.

Ulster Rugby vs. Leinster Rugby

Saturday 25^th May, 16:45

RDS Arena, Dublin

RaboDirect Pro12 – Final

Live on BBC NI, BBC Wales, RTE, TG4, BBC Alba and Fox Soccer

ULSTER RUGBY

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

16. Rob Herring, 17. Callum Black, 18. Declan Fitzpatrick, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Mike McComish, 21. Paul Marshall, 22. Michael Allen, 23. Peter Nelson.

LEINSTER RUGBY

15. Rob Kearney, 14. Fergus McFadden, 13. Brian O’Driscoll, 12. Ian Madigan, 11. Isa Nacewa, 10. Jonathan Sexton, 9. Isaac Boss; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Richardt Strauss, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Leo Cullen (c), 5. Devin Toner, 6. Kevin McLaughlin, 7. Shane Jennings, 8. Jamie Heaslip.

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

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 28^th competition match)

Assistant Referees: George Clancy, Peter Fitzgibbon (both IRFU)

4^th and 5^th Officials: Leo Colgan, Olly Hodges (both IRFU)

Citing Commissioner: Achille Reali (FIR)

TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)