LEO ROLLS OUT THE BIG GUNS
Leinster showing some Six appeal in squad
LEINSTER have selected 13 Six Nations internationals in their starting XV, bringing their entire armoury to bear against Ulster this evening at the Aviva.
Coach Leo Cullen is clearly hoping to exorcise the demons of the Champions Cup final defeat Toulouse.
And to overpower what has turned into a doughty Ulster unit since the appointment of Richie Murphy in late February.
The facts are Ulster posted five wins in their next seven games, both reverses coming away in south Africa before last week's close run thing at Munster.
There are many personal battles likely to get played out around the pitch with the northerners' big stars such as Stuart McCloskey in the centre, Jacob Stockdale on the wing, Nick Timony in the back-row and the half-backs Billy Burns and John Cooney looking to make a point.
McCloskey is, for instance, the only of that quintet within touching distance of Andy Farrell's notepad with this game providing quite the opportunity to make a case given Leinster's roll call.
The Blues' starting pack contains eight players who started at least one Six Nations game, the Ireland regular is at scrum-half, the Ireland reserve out-half is in place too, while there are three players across the three-quarters who started at least one game in the tournament.
“Look, any team that has made the play-offs has to have done well and whether the individuals in the team are internationals or not is hardly a consideration,”says Cullen.
“The match is on the day and how you deliver on the day, regardless of what has happened previously.
“Some of those Ulster guys have been around the block a long time (Cullen played alongside Cooney in the 2012 Heineken Cup-winning final with Leinster!) and they will be as desperate as us to win a trophy.”
Jamie Osborne will reprise his role at no12 in the continuing absence of Garry Ringrose, the position the Naas-born youngster held down for the Champions Cup last 16, quarter, semi and final.
Benefactor
McCloskey, who may be the summer tour 'benefactor' should Ringrose remain on the injured list, returns from injury to the Ulster team at inside centre following being a late withdrawal and missing - and being missed in - last week's match against Munster.
He is joined by Will Addison at outside centre, the utility back whose move to ex-club Sale Sharks - third in the English Premier proper this season – was confirmed last week.
Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper said: “We aren't making as many errors as we were a few months ago and because of that we are being able to apply more pressure on the opposition.
“Leinster is a huge challenge, an exciting one and will be an exciting test of where we are at.
“They are a hell of a team, hurting with the Champions Cup disappointment but they are a great side and we will have to be at our very best.
“If we can put them under pressure and make them uncomfortable, we give ourselves a chance. If we are off and deviate from the plan, it could be a tough afternoon.” LEINSTER (Rugby Championship quarter-final, Aviva Stadium, 5pm (Live on TG4, RTE, Premier Sports, BBC Sounds and URC.tv): Jimmy O’Brien; Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe, Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan capt, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris Subs; Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast, Ciarán Frawley ULSTER: Stewart Moore; Mike Lowry, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring (C), Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney. Subs; Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Greg Jones, Dave Ewers, Nathan Doak, Ethan McIlroy, Jude Postlethwaite.