Preview: Connacht v Leinster

It will be uncharted territory for Connacht who play in their first major tournament Final, whilst Leinster have the experience of six previous Finals and four European Finals to count upon.  

Leinster saw off the challenge of Ulster winning 30-18 in their playoff while Connacht defeated reigning champions Glasgow Warriors 16-11, sparking unprecedented scenes of celebration at The Sportsground.

"Last Saturday was the best moment I've ever had here. It was very special. But, it's not over. We've a massive job to do this Saturday," Connacht lock Andrew Browne said.

Leinster are packed full of internationals - 14 of the 32-man Ireland squad heading to South Africa wear blue - but Browne is adamant his side are ready for the challenge.

"It's [Leinster] full of quality internationals. They're not there for no reason. It's a massive challenge for us as a pack. We've stepped up in the last few weeks. We were facing a quality pack against Glasgow as well. We're quite confident in that area. We've a good set-piece. Again, it's a challenge we look forward to," he added.

The atmosphere at inter-provincial derbies is always something that players and supporters savour, and this weekend in Murrayfield is sure to be no different.

"We always like playing Connacht. They've been pretty tough games the last two games we played them this season. I think everyone's looking forward to it since the final whistle after the Glasgow game.

"They've been really impressive. Where they've come from in three years is a testament to the players and the coaching staff. It's great to see they're playing some fantastic rugby. They're up there in the try-scoring stats, they've a fantastic defence, they were joint-top with ourselves. It's going to be a tight game.

"It's one and two [on the table] playing each other and that's what everyone wants to see. By all accounts, everyone outside Leinster is supporting Connacht. So they'll all come out in their droves to support Connacht. Hopefully we'll have a good patch of Leinster supporters there as well," Jack McGrath said.

McGrath will be hoping he, and the rest of the squad, will be able to send that group of Leinster supporters home happy on Saturday evening. If the team can match the performance from their win over Ulster at the RDS Arena, then it will certainly be a possibility.

"The way we started [against Ulster] is the way we want to start games - quick, fast and hit the ground running. Fair play to Ulster, they came back into it. I think half-time came at a good time for us and took a bit of sting out of their momentum. We scored after that, put them back under pressure and took the wind out of their sails a little bit. That's what we want to be doing, putting teams under pressure and playing our sort of game.

"There's still a Final to be played, but I think that embarrassment [from the defeat at Kingspan Stadium] showed in our performance. That streak that we wanted to go on and keep scoring against them was something everyone felt. It was good to see from a Leinster team," he added.

Players to watch:

For Connacht: AJ MacGinty's boot will certainly keep his team in the contest and his partnership with Ireland scrumhalf Kieran Marmion, is crucial to pushing his side's tempo. There will be plenty of confidence running through the veins of Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Robbie Henshaw, and especially South African-born lock Quinn Roux - who have all been added into the Irish squad for the trip to South Africa.

For Leinster: All eyes will be on the kicking prowess of Johnny Sexton, who was instrumental in his side's playoff victory. Captain Isa Nacewa is always a threat from the fullback position while there is plenty of grunt in the forward pack with the likes of Richardt Strauss and Jamie Heaslip providing plenty of power and influence from the front.

Head to head: The battle of the flyhalves between AJ MacGinty and Johnny Sexton will be where the game is won or lost. Tactical kicking and taking the points on offer will be at a premium. Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw will be having a full go at each other in midfield while Kieran Marmion and Eoin Reddan will have to be at their very best in a bid to lock down the Irish No.9 jersey. Set-pieces will another crucial aspect of the game, with the scrums and line-outs providing vital foundations to launch attacks from.

Recent results:

2016: Connacht won 7-6, Sportsground

2016: Leinster won 13-0, RDS Arena

2014: Leinster won 21-11, RDS Arena

2014: Connacht won 10-9, Sportsground

2014: Leinster won 16-8, Sportsground

2013: Leinster won 16-13, RDS Arena

Prediction: Connacht play in the first major final in their history and achieved their best ever finish in the Pro12. Connacht's only defeat in their last four matches was 21-22 in Treviso in Round 21. Connacht have won on three of their last four visits to Murrayfield. Leinster are attempting to win the Pro12 title for the fifth time and the first since 2014. The Leinstermen have played in six previous Finals with a record of won three, lost three, their most recent defeat at this stage being 30-31 to Ospreys in 2012. Leinster's only defeat in their last five fixtures was 6-30 at Ulster in Round 21. Leinster have won on thee of their last four visits to Murrayfield and were also victorious at the venue when beating Leicester Tigers in the European Champions Cup Final in 2009. The two sides have met on 27 previous occasions in the Pro12, with Leinster having the edge by 20 wins to seven. This is their first ever meeting outside Ireland. Connacht will certainly be up for their first Final but Leinster have been here before and have the experience. Therefore, Leinster should claim a tense encounter by less than a converted try.

Teams:

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Dave Kearney, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Ben Te'o, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Mick Kearney, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richard Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Zane Kirchner.

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 John Muldoon (captain), 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Eoin McKeon, 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Ronan Loughney.    

Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 JP Cooney, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Sean O'Brien, 21 John Cooney, 22 Shane O'Leary, 23 Peter Robb.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant referees: Ian Davies (Wales), Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)

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