Leinster and Ulster are back on GUINNESS PRO12 duty tonight, with both sides determined to put last week’s European Champions Cup disappointment behind them in what promises to be another keenly-contested interprovincial derby.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, November 27
LEINSTER (4th) v ULSTER (5th), the RDS, 7.35pm (live TG4/BBC 2 Northern Ireland)
Team News: Ireland full-back Rob Kearney is a late withdrawal from the Leinster team as they prepare for their GUINNESS PRO12 derby clash with Ulster at the RDS.
Kearney felt tightness in his hamstring after the Captain’s Run yesterday and despite treatment yesterday afternoon and again this morning, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, in consultation with the medical team and with the player himself, felt it prudent not to risk Kearney for the game this evening.
As a result Isa Nacewa comes in at full-back. Jamie Heaslip will retain the captaincy having led the team all week and during the Captain’s Run. Zane Kirchner, winning his 50th cap for the province, is on the right wing with Luke Fitzgerald completing the back-three.
In a change to the half-back pairing from last weekend, Luke McGrath comes in at scrum half in place of Isaac Boss, teaming up with Jonathan Sexton.
There are four changes to Leinster’s pack from the Champions Cup defeat to Bath. Jack McGrath replaces Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong starts after featuring for Leinster ‘A’ last week, Mike McCarthy comes in to replace Hayden Triggs, and Josh van der Flier starts in the back row after his try-scoring European debut.
Tickets for Leinster v Ulster are on sale now. €;10 student tickets for the game are on sale from Ticketmaster centres nationwide and will be available from the RDS Ticket Office before kick-off.
Meanwhile, Ireland ace Iain Henderson will start at lock for Ulster for the first time this season, following his appearance in the back row last weekend. He will combine with fellow international Dan Tuohy in the second row.
The interprovincial tie with Leinster will also mark South African scrum half Ruan Pienaar’s 100th appearance for Ulster. Pienaar will play his landmark game alongside Paddy Jackson at half-back.
Stuart McCloskey and Darren Cave continue their centre partnership, with Peter Nelson joined in the back-three by Craig Gilroy and Andrew Trimble.
Kyle McCall will have captain Rory Best and Wiehahn Herbst beside him in the front row, while the loose forward trio is made up of Robbie Diack, Sean Reidy and number 8 Nick Williams.
Director of rugby Les Kiss has once again opted to freshen up the replacements bench, with Chris Henry providing vital experience alongside Rob Herring, Roger Wilson, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys and Louis Ludik. Andrew Warwick and Ricky Lutton will provide cover for the front row players.
LEINSTER: Isa Nacewa; Zane Kirchner, Ben Te’o, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Luke McGrath; Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip (capt).
Replacements: James Tracy, Peter Dooley, Martin Moore, Ross Molony, Dominic Ryan, Eoin Reddan, Noel Reid, Garry Ringrose.
ULSTER: Peter Nelson; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Kyle McCall, Rory Best (capt), Wiehahn Herbst, Iain Henderson, Dan Tuohy, Robbie Diack, Sean Reidy, Nick Williams.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Ricky Lutton, Roger Wilson, Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Louis Ludik.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Andy Brace, Olly Hodges (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Leinster to win: 4/9; Draw: 16/1; Ulster to win: 9/5
Pre-Match Quotes: Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster) – “Ulster are only one place behind us, so it’s really important. Especially in the RDS, the people are looking for a better performance. The last time they came out we obviously didn’t do ourselves justice (against Wasps) and we didn’t make them proud, which is something we always try and do, which is very, very disappointing.
“I think we want to have the place rocking again and have the crowd up on their feet and enjoying the rugby we’re playing, and obviously performing and winning games there.
“That’s what we always want to do in the RDS. It’s good to have a huge challenge this weekend. It’s Friday against Ulster, who are obviously coming off the back of a very tough result (against Saracens) as well, so they’ll be up for it.
“An interpro is always a huge challenge. We’ve got a short turnaround to turn things around. I think there’s a couple of simple things we can do well to help ourselves perform better.”
Peter Nelson (Ulster) – “Every time you play Leinster it is tough. They played Bath last weekend and lost narrowly so I don’t think they are in an awful place. The quality of players they have across the pitch is outstanding, including a strong Irish representation, so it will definitely be tough at the RDS on Friday.
“It is a formidable place to go to. We have won and lost down there, but this is a new game so we won’t be thinking about past performances or results. We will be looking at this as a brand new game and we’ll be looking for a positive result.
“It is always good to test yourself against the best players in Ireland. Rob Kearney has been in the international scene for a long time now, and to get a chance to prove yourself against guys like that is great.
“It is a critical PRO12 game, we want to keep climbing up the table, as do Leinster I’m sure. It will be a massive battle for points this weekend but that makes it even more exciting.”
Top Scorers – 2015/16 GUINNESS PRO12: Leinster – Points: Isa Nacewa 44; Tries: Isa Nacewa 4; Ulster – Points: Stuart McCloskey 29; Tries: Craig Gilroy 4
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 – Final – Leinster 24 Ulster 18, the RDS
Saturday, December 28, 2013 – Leinster 19 Ulster 6, the RDS
Friday, May 2, 2014 – Ulster 20 Leinster 22, Ravenhill
Saturday, May 17, 2014 – Semi-final – Leinster 13 Ulster 9, the RDS
Saturday, January 3, 2015 – Leinster 24 Ulster 11, the RDS
Friday, April 24, 2015 – Ulster 26 Leinster 10, Kingspan Stadium
MATCH FACTS:
– Leinster’s only defeat in their last six GUINNESS PRO12 encounters was 25-14 away to the Scarlets in round 4, a run which has seen them climb six places in the table
– Leinster have lost only one home game in their last 12 in the league, to the Newport Gwent Dragons at the RDS in February
– Ulster’s seven games in the PRO12 this season have ended in a uniformed sequence of WLWLWLW
– Ulster beat the Dragons 19-12 at Rodney Parade in round 7 but have not won successive away games in the league since February
– Ulster’s 26-10 victory in Belfast in April ended a five-match losing run to Leinster, however the Ulsterman have beaten their hosts just once in Dublin since 1999: 22-18 at the RDS in March 2013
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