PREVIEW: Leinster v Ulster: IT MIGHT be a slight exaggeration to suggest the next fortnight will define Leinster's season - success will be determined by, to what extent if any, they fill the trophy cabinet - but a victorious run through the three matches would certainly offer a timely fillip to the province's title-winning aspirations across two competitions.
Ulster visit the RDS and then Leinster travel to Limerick next weekend to tackle Munster at Thomond Park before heading for a Heineken Cup quarter-final tilt against Harlequins at The Stoop. Leinster coach Michael Cheika spoke earlier in the week about having an overall plan that would encompass the three matches, primarily referring to personnel.
The Australian knew he would be without his Ireland contingent for this game, a blow softened by the availability of Gordon D'Arcy, who will undoubtedly provide a cutting edge in midfield. The Leinster backline isn't exactly shabby in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney; there are a handful of players with things to prove and who are unlikely to accept a role of bit-part players as the season cranks up again in intensity.
Girvan Dempsey and Shane Horgan know tomorrow represents an opportunity to get a jersey and not have to give it back. Fergus McFadden joins D'Arcy again in an all-Clongowes midfield and the former knows that his clash with Ulster's Darren Cave could have implications that extend to summer tours.McFadden is also a promising talent, versatile enough to fulfil the inside and outside centre roles.
The only absentee up front for the home side is Jamie Heaslip with the outstanding Rocky Elsom continuing to anchor the backrow in the Irishman's absence.
Ulster coach Matt Williams is in a better position, personnel wise, as he welcomes back Paddy Wallace, Tom Court and Rory Best from Ireland duty. Wallace's vision and distribution allied to that of Ian Humphreys should guarantee ball for hard-running wings, Simon Danielli and Andrew Trimble. Scrumhalf Isaac Boss is playing his best rugby while in the pack the visitors have an amalgam of experience and potential.
BJ Botha represents another 80-minute educatory process for young Leinster loosehead Cian Healy. Robbie Diack, Timoci Nagusa and Carlo del Fava are part of a strong bench. Williams has charged his players with producing a performance more representative of their ability and desire. "I have asked the guys to make sure they turn up this week; if you don't turn up against a side like Leinster they'll kill you.
"They play beautiful rugby and are very structured. They have a lot of systems they use and they are a very complex team which means they are hard to predict, and if a team is hard to predict it's hard to defend [ against]."
Ulster are closer to full strength but Leinster are at home and have more at stake. A crowd in excess of 16,000 is expected to welcome some of Ireland's Grand Slam heroes and see the trophy, which will be present in the RDS. All manner of entertainment is scheduled before, during and after the game. It should extend to the on-pitch action.
Leinster captain Leo Cullen's return should give the home side a hard-nosed focus. There are only three teams in the division who have scored fewer tries than Leinster, a statistic that belies their second place in the Magners League table. Ulster are capable of winning on the road as they showed at Thomond Park and should go close again tomorrow. But perhaps not close enough.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, F McFadden, G D'Arcy, I Nacewa; F Contepomi, C Whitaker; C Healy, B Jackman, S Wright; L Cullen (capt), M O'Kelly; C Jowitt, S Jennings, R Elsom. Replacements (from): J Fogarty, CJ van der Linde, R McCormack, T Hogan, D Toner, S O'Brien, P O'Donohoe, J Sexton, S Keogh.
ULSTER: C Schifcofske; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; T Court, R Best (capt), BJ Botha; E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell; M McCullough, D Pollock, C Henry. Replacements: N Brady, B Young, C Del Fava, R Diack, C Willis, I Whitten, T Nagusa.
Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy).
Last meeting(December 2008): Ulster 13 Leinster 21.
Leading points scorers: Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 138. Ulster - Ian Humphreys 69.
Leading try scorers: Leinster - Luke Fitzgerald 5. Ulster - Darren Cave 4.
Verdict: Leinster to win.
