I’m not going to focus on Friday’s match much
this week because it went exactly as I thought – Ulster were never going to
lose that match. As much as you could build them up, it would have taken
something special for the Scarlets to leave Ravenhill with the victory, and
they could not provide it. Ulster were actually so much in control that they
were able to switch off for the last 30 minutes and still coast home to a 28-17
win.
Rather, over the weekend, I’ve been thinking
forward to the final on the 25th May down in Dublin. Without a
doubt, it is one of the biggest games in Ulster’s recent history and, much like
last season’s Heineken Cup final, it will be an all-Irish affair between Ulster
and Leinster. Only this time it will be much different.
A year ago Ulster were still growing as a
club and it was probably a year too early for them. Leinster were by far the
better side and the day probably got to the Ulstermen which is why the final
scoreline was as bad as it was. This season you would like to hope that the
final result will be a lot closer.
Ulster will probably be the better side
heading into the match. Finishing top of the regular season league is a boost
for them and a week’s break may prove crucial compared to Leinster who will have
to navigate their way past Stade Francais in the Amlin Challenge Cup final next
weekend first. With an extra week of preparation, Ulster may find themselves
fresher for the occasion.
The Belfast side will also be buoyed by the
fact that they’ve already done the domestic double over their Irish
counterparts this season, including their first win over Leinster in Dublin
since 1999. They will head to the RDS in two weeks looking to make it three out
of three against the Dubliners this season.
Ulster might actually be happy it’s Leinster
that they will face in the final. After watching the semi-final between
Leinster and Glasgow, the away side were very impressive and for a while it
looked like they might even snatch the win. But for a missed Stuart Hogg conversion
then they would have gone to extra time and who knows what might have happened
then.
However, Leinster also showed their ability
to close out games and they will prove stern opposition as we all know. That’s
one of the reasons why Leinster will always be tricky final opponents – they’ve
been there, they’ve done it, they’ve got the t-shirt. Experience counts for a
lot at this stage of the season and the Boys in Blue have lots of it. Ulster do
not, and this might swing the pendulum in Leinster’s favour.
Certainly it is building up to be an exciting
final. A repeat of the Heineken Cup final with Ulster looking for revenge is a
very exciting prospect indeed. Dublin will be rocking in two weeks – it is the
third time in four years that the RDS will have hosted the Pro12 Grand Final.
It will be a massive occasion for everyone involved.
See you there!
Ulster Rugby vs. Leinster Rugby
Saturday 25th May, 16:45
RDS Arena, Dublin
Sarries
put to the sword
In early April many were touting the
possibility of a rare League-Heineken Cup double being achieved. But for once
it was not by Leinster, but this time by Saracens. After beating Ulster rather
emphatically at Twickenham it seemed like they were on a roll. But their dreams
were dashed against Toulon a few weeks ago, and yesterday they were destroyed
by a superb Northampton performance at Allianz Park.
The Saints were well worth their win, as they
shut out the home side for most of the game. Led from the front by captain and
Lion Dylan Hartley they will take their place in the final against Leicester
who cruised into the final with an easy win over early season favourites
Harlequins who will also end the season with no trophies despite having the chance
of winning three at one point during the season.
It’s a rather disappointing end to the season
for Quins who really faded away after Christmas, being comprehensively beaten
in their Heineken Cup quarter-final by Munster and then slowly sliding into
third in the league. On the other hand, Leicester’s season has taken an upturn
and they will be firm favourites for the final in two weeks.
That will be an interesting one to watch.
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