Ulster is set to take on Leinster in an inter-provincial battle that could have consequences as we reach the penultimate stage of the United Rugby Championship. Here's everything you need to know about Ulster v Leinster.
For Ulster, they will be hoping to continue their good form. Tries from Stuart McCloskey, Nick Timoney, David McCann, and Jacob Stockdale helped their side pick up a third win on the bounce in a 31-20 victory away to Scarlets.
The game will also be the first Richie Murphy will take charge as permanent head coach, being appointed by the province on Monday following a successful interim stint.
For Leinster, they'll be hoping to pick up a good result as they prepare to take on Stade Toulousain in the Investec Champions Cup final on May 25th. The Boys in Blue ran out convincing winners last time out, scoring nine tries on their way to defeating Ospreys 61-14 at the RDS to get back to winning ways in the URC following two heavy defeats to the Stormers and the Bulls in South Africa.
74 nóim #LEIvOSP
@leinsterrugby 49@ospreys 14
An seachtú úd faighte ag Ngatai ar son Cúige Laighean 👏
Charlie Ngatai with Leinster's seventh try of the game! @IrishRugby @URCOfficial @Pinergy#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/LfRem6WGDA— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 11, 2024
READ HERE: Ulster Star Baffled By Eben Etzebeth's Claims About 'Arrogant' Irish Comments
A win for Ulster in this one could see them confirm their place in the URC play-offs and next season's Champions Cup. Leinster will be looking to overtake Glasgow Warriors in the URC table with a win and return to the top of the table.
Additionally, a win for Leinster would clinch them the Irish Shield over Ulster who currently sit second, while an Ulster win could see them in a good position to clinch it coming into the last round of fixtures.
In their last meeting, Ulster came out on top winning 22-21 in the RDS on New Year's Day.
When is Ulster v Leinster?
Ulster are due to play Leinster this Saturday May 18th in Kingspan Ravenhill in Belfast at 7:35pm.
How to Watch Ulster v Leinster?
The match will be broadcast live by TG4, with coverage getting underway at 7:15pm.
Premier Sport 1 will also be showing the match with coverage from 7:15pm.
Team News
Richie Murphy makes one change to the Ulster side that faced Scarlets last time out. Tom O'Toole comes in for Scott Wilson at tight-head prop.
Ready for a big one 😤
Your Ulster team to take on @leinsterrugby tomorrow at a sold-out Kingspan Stadium 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/QGzDquFtVC— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 17, 2024
Leo Cullen has made 13 changes to the side that defeated Ospreys last weekend. The most notable being the returns of Hugo Keenan and James Ryan, who replace Ciarán Frawley and Ross Molony, giving Leinster a huge boost in their preparations for the Champions Cup final. Keenan has been out since April with a hip-injury, while this will be Ryan's first game since January following an arm injury. Gary Ringrose remains out of action with a shoulder injury he picked up against Scotland in the Six Nations
Other changes Tommy O'Brien coming in for Jordan Larmour, Charlie Ngatai replacing Robbie Henshaw, Rob Russell replacing Jamie Osborne with Jimmy O'Brien moving into the centre. Harry Byrne starts in place of his older brother Ross at fly-half, while Cormac Foley comes in for Luke McGrath at scrum-half.
Cian Healy and Michael Ala'alatoa come in for Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong as props, as Brian Deeny comes in the second-row in place of Jason Jenkins. Will Connors returns to the side after a late injury caused Josh van der Flier to play over him last weekend. He will be joined at the back of the scrum by Max Deegan and Jack Conan who replace Ryan Baird and Caelen Doris with Leinster looking to rest a lot of their big names for next weekend's Champions Cup final as Rónan Kelleher and Jimmy O'Brien remain the only two returning to the starting XV against Ospreys.
📥 | 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝟏...
Here is the #LeinsterRugby team to face @UlsterRugby tomorrow evening in Belfast!#ULSvLEI #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/N5VQo6o8ne— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 17, 2024
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