Stephen Ferris claims the highly anticipated inter-pro derby between Leinster and Ulster will be the perfect preparation for European rugby.
The Irish provinces reignite their rivalry this Saturday, with Leinster just ahead of them in the URC table in this top of the table clash.
Ahead of Saturday's clash at the RDS, both sides welcome back their Ireland internationals after a successful November series. Leinster welcome back James Ryan, Garry Ringrose, Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan into the side, while James Lowe makes his first appearance of the season.
For Ulster, Iain Henderson captains the side at six, while Nick Timoney starts at eight, with Stuart McCloskey and James Hume in the centre.
The sides met earlier in the season, with Leinster coming out as winners in a tense 20-13 battle at Kingspan. While Ulster did the double over Leinster in the URC, Stephen Ferris claims they can't read too much into that given how the season ended.
Ulster crashed out of Europe in disappointing circumstances to Toulouse, while a last minute try from the Stormers stopped them from reaching the URC final.
Stephen Ferris On Leinster V Ulster
Speaking to Balls.ie in partnership with Ladbrokes, Stephen Ferris claims Ulster could make a huge statement with victory at the RDS.
"Ulster have just got to dig in and see what Leinster bring to the table because it's going to be a ferocious game, very competitive and I'm super excited to see how both teams go in this huge game
It feels like all the teams are sort of tuning up at the minute, everybody is gearing towards the European rugby that is going to be on our screens in a couple of weeks time, but there is still an inter-pro derby to be played here.
There's bragging rights, and there's also the question are Ulster closing the gap on Leinster. Are Ulster going to become the leading force among the provinces. Last year they had an argument for that because they beat them home and away. A good win here by Ulster yet again throws up all those questions.
There's a bit of change in Leinster. There's coaches come and gone, Johnny Sexton is retiring after the World Cup, there's a couple of other players coming and going as well. Ulster seem in a very good position, a team performing week in, week out."
Stephen Ferris claims that Ulster need the victory more than Leo Cullen's side, and expects the big players to step up in what's sure to be thrilling game this Saturday.
"This is the stage where the cream of the crop really step up and the big players make a dent in the game, and Ulster need that. Ulster need it so much more than Leinster. Hopefully it's one of those game that's 30n or 40 points, there's no injuries, and everybody comes through with flying colours."
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