And that's half-time at the Aviva Stadium where Leinster lead courtesy of Ed Byrne's third-minute try and eight points from the boot of Ross Byrne. What do you make of that opening 40?

Leinster are beginning to pull clear and it's worrying times for Dan McFarland and Ulster. Ross Byrne kicks his second penalty of the evening from in front of the posts.

Ross Byrne extends Leinster's lead from the tee after Kieran Treadwell is penalised by referee George Clancy.

Leinster, playing in their alternative maroon kit, look very sharp in attack and are really probing here but Ulster win a pressure-relieving penalty and Madigan finds a good touch on the far side.

It has been a really scrappy opening seven minutes from Ulster. After winning a scrum on halfway, the northern province lose possession in midfield and Madigan is forced to scramble back to avert the danger.

A fast start from Leo Cullen's side and they're over for their opening score inside three minutes. Ciaran Frawley manages to get on the end of his own grubber through and from close range, Leinster are clinical. With a penalty advantage, captain Ed Byrne burrows his way over, with Ross Byrne adding the extras.

We're underway at the Aviva Stadium.

We're moments away from kick-off here at the Aviva Stadium. Both teams have completed their warm-ups and we're just about ready to go!

Late change to the Ulster 23, with David O'Connor coming onto the bench to replace his brother, Alan.

It's great to see Dan Leavy here at the Aviva Stadium with the Leinster squad today - the Ireland flanker is nearing a return to action following a long-term knee injury.

Carlow man Ed Byrne will lead out Leinster for the first time in a competitive fixture, captaining the Conference A table-toppers from the front row.

Head coach Leo Cullen has made the full 23 changes to his squad from the 27-25 derby win over Munster.

Loosehead Byrne, Sean Cronin, Michael Bent and Devin Toner are all promoted from the bench, with Ross Molony completing the tight five. Max Deegan anchors a back row that contains fellow Academy graduates Josh Murphy and Will Connors.

Rob Kearney wins his 219th provincial cap, slotting in at full-back for his first appearance since mid-February. The back-line is marshalled by Ross Byrne and half-back partner Jamison Gibson-Park, who is representing Leinster for the 90th time.

The wing spots are filled by Hugo Keenan and Cian Kelleher, who scored four tries in his last five games before the Coronavirus outbreak, while noted out-half Ciaran Frawley gets a first chance to impress in the inside centre position, alongside Rory O'Loughlin.



Tom Clarkson, the promising 20-year-old Academy prop, is poised to make his senior debut from the Leinster bench. The Dublin University clubman has impressed at tighthead for the Ireland Under-20s over the past 18 months.

Australian international Sam Carter will captain Ulster for the first time, as Dan McFarland's men tackle unbeaten Leinster.

With Ulster looking forward to a semi-final trip to Edinburgh in the coming days, Carter is one of eight changes to the team that lost 26-20 to Ulster last Sunday. The 30-year-old Sydney native partners Kieran Treadwell in the second row.

It is all change in the front row as Rob Herring, a late withdrawal last week, returns at hooker, flanked by Eric O'Sullivan and Tom O'Toole. 

Ballymena man Matthew Rea comes in at blindside flanker, with Jordi Murphy and Marcell Coetzee backing up from the Connacht game.

Following his debut off the bench against the westerners, Ian Madigan makes his first start for Ulster in the number 10 jersey. He combines with former Leinster team-mate John Cooney at half-back.

Returning wingers Matt Faddes and Robert Lyttle join Jacob Stockdale in the back-three, the latter looking to add to his try from the round 14 defeat. 

James Hume, who has been cleared to play after his concussion last week, and Stuart McCloskey remain in place in midfield.

A little over an hour until kick-off here at the Aviva Stadium - our Match Preview is ready and waiting for you right here.

Good evening and welcome along to IrishRugby.ie's Match Day Live Blog as Ulster and Leinster go head-to-head in the concluding round of the Guinness PRO14 regular season.

Both provinces have already secured their place in the PRO14 semi-finals, but will be keen to build winning momentum heading into the Play-offs, which get underway next weekend.

If last week's #ReturnToRugby was anything to go by, we should be in for another fascinating Inter-Provincial weekend at the Aviva Stadium. Kick-off is coming up at 7.35pm but stick with us for all the build-up between now and then.

A lovely gesture by Ulster Rugby and Kingspan to #StandUpTogether with the community and the front line workers.

An in-blog plug for the blog.

Ed Byrne captains Leinster today - always an honour to lead out your team.

Masking up for a safe trip to Aviva Stadium.