LAST NIGHT, MUNSTER and Glasgow showed that the RaboDirect Pro12 is a competition that can serve up truly enthralling encounters, with the expectation being that Leinster versus Ulster will at least match that absorbing contest.
It would be no surprise if the RDS hosts an even better semi-final this evening [KO 7.00pm], given the extent to which the rivalry between these two provinces has grown so wholly in recent years.
Both Matt O’Connor and Mark Anscombe have sprung selection surprises for this game, with the former opting to bring South African lock Quinn Roux, who was seemingly far from favour until now, into his starting team.
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For Ulster, Darren Cave and Jared Payne start as the midfield pairing, with Craig Gilroy having held his position at fullback. This is an Ulster backline bristling with pace, power and counter-attacking invention.
Up front, Leinster will be confident that their improvements over the course of the season will see them come out on top at the set-piece, but led by the soon-to-retire Johann Muller, Ulster will provide fierce opposition in every tight exchange.
Brian O'Driscoll could be playing his final ever professional game. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
It is difficult to confidently predict ascendency for either team in any area of the pitch, with so much international quality to choose from. That Ruan Pienaar, Rory Best and Sean O’Brien will all play parts only adds to the high quality nature of this meeting.
Matt O’Connor stated that neither team would look to spring tactical shocks, instead focusing on doing what they have done all season, but better. Those words are to be taken with a liberal pinch of salt; the winners will surely bring some innovation to their existing structures in order to break down a familiar opponent.
If suffering pain in play-off games is a prerequisite to winning titles, than this is Ulster’s year. On the flip side, Brian O’Driscoll’s final game ending in defeat would be an uncharacteristic ending.
There are subplots such as these woven throughout this fixture, but it is only actions on the pitch which will have any effect on the outcome. A marvellous evening of all-Irish Pro12 action awaits.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Dave Kearney; Jimmy Gopperth, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Martin Moore; Devin Toner, Quinn Roux; Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt.).
Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen, Sean O’Brien, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Zane Kirchner.
Ulster: Craig Gilroy; Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rory Best, Ricky Lutton; Johann Muller (capt.), Iain Henderson, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Roger Wilson.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Adam Macklin, Dan Tuohy, Sean Doyle, Paul Marshall, James McKinney, Luke Marshall.
On paper the Ulster starting 15 is better than Leinster’s but Leinster have some quality on the bench which hopefully can swing it in our favour but no matter what it will be a great game with only a score between the two sides as usual. Safe trip to all the Ulster fans coming down but COYBIB :)
I’m an Ulster fan and I think it’s a very good team they’ve named, but the props will win the day for Leinster. All 4 Leinster props will outclass us in the scrum I’m afraid.
Hope I eat these words, but I don’t see Ulster reversing the trend today.
It would stunt Ruddocks development if we started shunting him into second row as a stop gap. We do have a problem though with the amount of class back rows we have to satisfy!
One game -as a legitimate stop gap- does not stunt development. Ruddock in the row and murphy/Sean in back row would improve the pack in every way, physicality, mobility, pace, aggression, breakdown work, work rate….
For today’s semifinal we have a player who Leinster have released as not good enough playing against two very very good secondrows. Ruddocks stunted growth could very easily be reversed on the final. We Have top class backrows not even in the squad and yet have Quinn roux starting.
I’m sure ruddock wouldn’t mind
The concern would be that after the bad luck of the last 2 matches, ulster will be subdued. However the improbable win at Thomond should help the squad with the confidence required to compete against Leinster. However after 2 final defeats, it would appear that Leinster have had the measure of Anscombes tactics. Ulster will require innovative tactics of their own to overcome the familarity that is Leinster winning the big matches.
There is a fair level of disenchantment with MOC from the Leinster faithful and Ulster look to be in a good place. Will they kick on and go. To another final or will the amazing MOCball do them in. Can’t wait.
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Matt O’Connor insisting that Leinster will keep doing what we have been doing all season worries me. Any chance of an actual game plan there matt?
On paper the Ulster starting 15 is better than Leinster’s but Leinster have some quality on the bench which hopefully can swing it in our favour but no matter what it will be a great game with only a score between the two sides as usual. Safe trip to all the Ulster fans coming down but COYBIB :)
I’m an Ulster fan and I think it’s a very good team they’ve named, but the props will win the day for Leinster. All 4 Leinster props will outclass us in the scrum I’m afraid.
Hope I eat these words, but I don’t see Ulster reversing the trend today.
Really worried about this one!
Ulster have an extremely strong team and some questionable selection choices for Leinster
What about Cullen
Dawn, that Ulster back line is intimidating.
Why Ruddock wasn’t put into the second row and Sean O’Brien/ jordi Murphy or Dom Ryan not in the backrow is beyond me.
It would stunt Ruddocks development if we started shunting him into second row as a stop gap. We do have a problem though with the amount of class back rows we have to satisfy!
One game -as a legitimate stop gap- does not stunt development. Ruddock in the row and murphy/Sean in back row would improve the pack in every way, physicality, mobility, pace, aggression, breakdown work, work rate….
For today’s semifinal we have a player who Leinster have released as not good enough playing against two very very good secondrows. Ruddocks stunted growth could very easily be reversed on the final. We Have top class backrows not even in the squad and yet have Quinn roux starting.
I’m sure ruddock wouldn’t mind
Fully in agreement, Chris. I would have preferred also to see Madigan at ten, but it seems he doesn’t find favour with our current coach.
Since when has he been released? He is contracted till 2015. Let’s get behind the team today before we start worrying about the final.
A lot of class back row players but not enough quality second row unfortunately.
The concern would be that after the bad luck of the last 2 matches, ulster will be subdued. However the improbable win at Thomond should help the squad with the confidence required to compete against Leinster. However after 2 final defeats, it would appear that Leinster have had the measure of Anscombes tactics. Ulster will require innovative tactics of their own to overcome the familarity that is Leinster winning the big matches.
McCarthy & Strauss both injured or dropped?
Strauss out for 3/4 months after surgery on his hamstring he injured last week and Mc Carthy picked up a knock last week too.
There is a fair level of disenchantment with MOC from the Leinster faithful and Ulster look to be in a good place. Will they kick on and go. To another final or will the amazing MOCball do them in. Can’t wait.