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Ulster vs Leinster, Kingspan Stadium, Sat 06th May 17:15, BBC2 NI
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05-05-2017 3:32pm#1
END OF SEASON TRADITIONS
Since the turn of the decade Leinster and Ulster have met in knock out games in all but 2 seasons; 2010, when Ulster failed to make the knock outs in either competition, and 2015 when Leinster failed to make the Pro12 play-offs and Ulster failed to make the European knock-out games. Every year that they have met in that time Leinster have won. This will be the first time, however, in that period that both sides meet each other in May in a regular league fixture. Sadly it's a dead rubber. While Ulster still have a mathematical chance of making the semi-finals they need to get a full 5 points from this encounter and they also need Scarlets to beat Ospreys in Llanelli by more than 7. Additional to this they also need the combined points difference to total 75 points (so basically two 40 point victories). So for all intents and purposes the Ulstermen have little to fight for.
That said they will be at home where they will surely be looking to salvage some pride in front of a sold out crowd for what will be Ruan Piennars last game. They may be out of the running in the league, but they will want to give Pienaar good send off. Leinster for their part also have little to fight for in terms of the league standing, having been guaranteed a home semi-final after the win over Connacht. But a number of the younger players and the fringe players will be keen to lay down a marker ahead of the semi final. There will surely be a number of players on both sides also looking to impress ahead of the June tour to the US and Japan. While it won't be a full blooded affair there are still things to play for on both sides which should make it an interesting contest.
The Squads:
Ulster confirmed earlier in the week that they would be resting their 3 Lions for the game. Leinster in turn have rested 3 of their Lions; SOB, Sexton and Henshaw. McGrath and Furlong are the only 2 of the 8 Lions in both squads to be selected. Leinster almost have as close to a full strength pack as they can get at the moment, with Cronin being the only player actually being rested. Ulster will be missing both Best and Henderson. With Coetzee also injured the Leinster pack should fancy their chances of getting well on top tomorrow. The one area of concern being the line out after a number of issues there in recent times, not all of which can be laid at the feet of the hooker. One to watch tomorrow though is Treadwell. The young Ulster lock has been developing a name for himself recently and how he fares against this Leinster pack will tell us a lot about what he's made of.
In the half backs Ulster would appear to have a distinct advantage. Pienaar and Jackson are a far more experienced and settled partnership than McGrath and Carbery. However neither Ulster player has really lived up to their abilities in recent months. With the Ulster 9 playing his last game for the province it will be interesting to see how that motivates him and those around him. The Ulster back line in general would seem to be a far superior one also, but has been misfiring badly in the latter part of the season especially. Up against Reid and Ringrose in the centre there could well be some opportunities for McCloskey and Marshall to target, but whether they'll be able to take them is another thing. In the back 3 both sides have veteran campaigners who've seen better days (Trimble and McFadden) and exciting talents (Piutau and Byrne) on the wings. However at full back Leinster have Nacewa, who is possibly starting to show his age these days, while Ulster have Gilroy, and exciting attacking threat but not overly experienced in the position. On paper the Ulster backs are stronger, but in terms of form the Leinster backs are certainly performing better.
On the bench Leinster would appear to hold almost all the cards. Jacob Stockdale is the only real Ulster option with the game changing ability they may need. A superb young talent who really should be starting, Stockdale is one of a number of bright hopes for Ulsters future. However Leinster have strength in almost every position on the bench. Andrew Porter as replacement TH stands out as the only real area of potential weakness there. Originally a LH prop his conversion to TH is still in its infancy and while a powerful and dynamic player in the loose, young Porter might well struggle in the scrum when called on there.
The Departing Hero:
I can't complete this write up without talking about Ruan Pienaar. An absolutely fantastic scrum half, particularly in his pomp, he brought so much to Ulster over the last several years. A real leader and a dictator of play in ways most 10s could only dream of, this guy really bought into Ulster rugby. It seems wrong that he's leaving without any silverware to show for his time in Ulster and Leinster have certainly played their part in denying him that. In many ways it would be really fitting for him to see out his time at Ulster with a win against Leinster but unfortunately for him I don't see that happening. Either way I wish the guy well and hope he gets the success he deserves in Montpellier.The Prediction:
As I said I really don't see an Ulster win tomorrow with the respective squads. My last write up was the Munster-Leinster game at Christmas, another half hearted derby with a foregone conclusion. I can't see this being much different in that regard with the Leinster pack getting dominance and their back line willing and able to take full advantage.
Leinster by 8+.|
01. Andrew Warwick|01. Jack McGrath
02. Rob Herring|02. James Tracy
03. Rodney Ah You|03. Tadgh Furlong
04. Kieran Treadwell|04. Devin Toner
05. Alan O'Connor|05. Hayden Triggs
06. Robbie Diack|06. Rhys Ruddock
07. Sean Reidy|07. Josh van der Flier
08. Roger Wilson|08. Jack Conan
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09. Ruan Pienaar|09. Luke McGrath
10. Paddy Jackson|10. Joey Carbery
11. Charles Piutau|11. Fergus McFadden
12. Stuart McCloskey|12. Noel Reid
13. Luke Marshall|13. Garry Ringrose
14. Andrew Trimble|14. Adam Byrne
15. Craig Gilroy|15. Isa Nacewa
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16. John Andrew|16. Richardt Strauss
17. Kyle McCall|17. Cian Healy
18. Ricky Lutton|18. Andrew Porter
19. Chris Henry|19. Ross Molony
20. Nick Timoney|20. Dan Leavy
21. Paul Marshall|21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Peter Nelson|22. Ross Byrne
23. Jacob Stockdale|23. Rory O'Loughlin14
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