URC league leaders Leinster will play Ulster this weekend in a breathtaking Champions Cup round of 16 game at a sold-out Aviva stadium. Here is everything you should know about the fixture, including how to watch Leinster v Ulster.
Leo Cullen's side will hope to go one step further than last year's edition and win the tournament this time.
On the other hand, Ulster will try and pass the first round of knockout stages for the first time in 11 years. The last time they won in the knockout phase was in the 2011/2012 season where they managed to end up as finalist, losing the final to Leinster.
When is Leinster v Ulster?
The match will be played on Saturday the 1st of April at 5.30pm. it will be held in the Aviva Stadium.
How to watch Leinster v Ulster?
The game will be broadcasted on RTE 2 with coverage starting from 4.30pm ahead of kick-off.
Form Guide
Leinster are on an amazing undefeated streak of 20 games. Their last defeat was in last year's URC's semi final against the Bulls.
They won all their European games this season and finished first of Group A. This means that they got the easiest draw (on theory).
Their last game was a 22-22 draw against the Stormers from South Africa. It is the first time in 19 matches that Cullen's men didn't win.
Despite scoring four tries, Harry Byrne missed three conversion goals which ultimately cost them the victory. Nevertheless, they had a great comeback as they were losing 17-5 at half-time.
They currently sit first of the URC table with 74 points, 13 points clear of second place Stormers.
They are the big favourites heading in to this Champions Cup tie.
Ulster brilliantly bounced back from their defeat to the Glasgow Warriors back in February. They have now won their last three games and are sitting third of the URC with 59 points.
Dan McFarland's men narrowly managed to earn their spot in the knockout stages of this year's Champions Cup. They finished eight with seven points only one point ahead of ASM Clermont Auvergne who are going down into the Challenge Cup.
Ulster beat the Bulls in their last game, a 32-23 home victory that guaranteed them a place in the URC knockout stages. They were trailing at half-time but however an impressive second half (20-3 for Ulster) gave them the win.
Team News
Leinster will only start two players who featured in their last game against the Stormers. All other starting players come back from the Six Nations. James Ryan will lead this team as the captain as Johnny Sexton is out injured.
📥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 #𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫!
Here is the Leinster team for tomorrow's @ChampionsCup Round of 16 clash with @UlsterRugby in a sold-out @AVIVAStadium #LEIvULS #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/VEjwADpeVh— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 31, 2023
Ulster have made five changes to their team. Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole and Stuart McCloskey returns to the squad after the Six Nations. Rory Sutherland will start against Leinster meaning they've changed the whole first line. Alan O'Connor comes back to the starting 15 and will be the captain.
📣 Team News
Your Ulster team to take on Leinster tomorrow in the @ChampionsCup 🔥
💪 Alan O'Connor captains the side
🔙 Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole and Stuart McCloskey return pic.twitter.com/qxgIGyJknC— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) March 31, 2023
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