Leinster are set to host Ulster this weekend in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship playoffs with both provinces hoping to make a run at the title. Here's everything you need to know about Leinster v Ulster.
For Leinster, they will be hoping to continue their winning ways after bouncing back following their Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse. In the final round of the regular season, the Boys in Blue hosted Connacht in their final game at the RDS before it is set to undergo renovation.
Five Leinster tries with two coming from Jimmy O'Brien and ones from Jack Conan, Ciarán Frawley, and Dan Sheehan saw Leo Cullen's side win 33-7 as Sam Prendergast got one over his brother Cian. The win left Leinster in third place in the URC table in the end as well as winning them the Irish shield.
73 nóim #LEIvCON@leinsterrugby 33@connachtrugby 7
Dara úd den tráthnóna aimsithe ag Jimmy O'Brien 👏
O'Brien gets his second of the game!
@IrishRugby @URCOfficial @Pinergy#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/lmfX3jRVy8— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 31, 2024
READ HERE: Connacht Head Coach Claims No Move Has Been Made For Sam Prendergast
In Ulster's case, they will be hoping to return to winning ways after suffering their first loss in five matches in the last round of the regular season. Richie Murphy's men traveled to Thomand Park to face up against provincial rivals Munster. The Ulster men started strongly, with them holding a 17-7 lead going into the break.
The Red Army would ultimately come back, and an Eoghan Clarke try in the 69th minute would help Munster on their way to a 29-24 win which secured their place at the top of the URC. This meant that Ulster finished in sixth place in the URC final table, with a second-place finish in the Irish shield.
Immediate impact from the Munster subs gaining a 52nd min try, but Ulster subsequently respond 3mins later
57min: Munster 14-24 Ulster
📺 Watch on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
📻 Listen on @RTEradio1
📱 Live updates https://t.co/ZRNGfTuGc0 pic.twitter.com/U87fyiCMYt— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 1, 2024
Ulster have narrowly won both of their fixtures against Leinster this season, with a 22-21 win away at the RDS on New Year's Day before winning 23-21 at Kingspan Ravenhill in May.
The winners of this game will face either South African side Vodacom Bulls or Italian side Benetton Rugby in the semi-final.
When is Leinster v Ulster?
Leinster are set to face Ulster this Saturday June 8th at the Aviva Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm
How can I watch Leinster v Ulster?
TG4 will be broadcasting the match live with coverage getting underway at 4:30pm
Premier Sports One will also be broadcasting the match with coverage getting underway there at 5pm
Team News
Leo Cullen has made 13 changes to the Leinster side which beat Connacht last Friday. Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, and Tadgh Furlong start in the front row in place of the departing Ed Byrne, Rónan Kelleher, and Thomas Clarkson. Joe McCarthy and Co-Captain James Ryan come into the second row in place of the departing Ross Molony and Brian Deeny. The back row consists Ryan Baird, Josh van der Filer, and Caelan Doris in place of the retiring Rhys Ruddock, Scott Penny, and Jack Conan.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne start in scrum and fly-half over Cormac Foley and Sam Prendergast while James Lowe and Jordan Larmour replace Rob Russell and Tommy O'Brien on the wings and Robbie Henshaw replaces Ciarán Frawley at centre.
Jamie Osborne and Jimmy O'Brien are the only players to keep their places in the starting XV.
📥 | 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚...
Here is the #LeinsterRugby team to face @UlsterRugby tomorrow evening in the #BKTURC Quarter-Final.#LEIvULS #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/S0ftYnS8ON— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) June 7, 2024
Richie Murphy has made two changes to the side that lost to Munster last time out. Matty Rea comes in for Alan O'Connor with Cormac Izuchukwu moving into the second row. Stewart Moore replaces Ethan McIlroy at full-back with Rob Herring set to captain the side.
All set for a HUGE one tomorrow!
Your Ulster side to take on @leinsterrugby tomorrow at Aviva 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9XAeD2zY8j— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) June 7, 2024
