A long, mostly successful season for the Ulstermen boils down to one game in Dublin, writes Kristian Ross…
So here we are. Counting down. The hotly anticipated RaboPRO12 final between Ulster Rugby and Leinster Rugby is just days away, and both Irish provinces will look to cap off a fine season with domestic success come Saturday.
The Ulstermen despite a blip at the start of the year have been in scintillating form since round one of this year’s competition, seventeen wins, a draw vs Treviso and just four defeats has seen Ulster Rugby score sixty two tries and concede thirty three in the process. Mark Anscombe’s first season in charge of the province has been a whirlwind of tries, points, and some wonderful free flowing rugby that has left many pundits in awe. Not to mention the introduction of young talent such as Stuart Olding, as well as seeing players starting to mature, Iain Henderson, Luke Marshall and Paddy Jackson having both been rewarded with Ireland caps earlier in the year after impressing in PRO12 games.
Then we have Leinster. Not the greatest start to the season under Joe Schmidt, but as always come the end of the year, the boys from Ballsbridge have been so clinical. A win for the Leinster A side in the B&I Cup and the huge success of yet another European trophy last week as they battered Stade Francais on home soil. Schmidt is of course aiming to leave the province with a double before he departs for the Ireland job come summer. Not to mention that Johnny Sexton will also for domestic success before his move to France. Leinster will be simply desperate to get their hands on this trophy, having been runners up for the last two season running. Schmidt has seen his side play in three European finals in a row, and on the last two occasions they have taken their toll, to name one Ospreys snatching the win at the RDS last year.
The form books are looking pretty impressive too. Ulster started to wane earlier on the year, but have came back strong, four wins in the last five meant they guaranteed that top spot in style, the win over Cardiff Blues on the final day of the season simply too easy, and the semi final tie against Scarlets didn’t prove that much of a test either. Meanwhile looking into how Leinster have played over the last few rounds it makes for pretty good reading indeed. Five wins in the last five, Leinster have not lost since they were beaten at home by the Ulstermen in April. Maybe that will be a physiological blow for the boys in blue, they haven’t beat Ulster yet this season, both home and away fixtures having ended in defeat.
The venue is certainly one that may not exactly give Ulster home advantage, the redevelopment of Ravenhill coming to early, as the Royal Dublin Society Arena was chosen by the Belfast side as their preference to hold the final. But with numerous posts on social networking about how it will be ‘’Our DS’’ I don’t think many Ulster fans will feel too worried, especially after the superb fan support at Twickenham this season.
Ulster players and fans alike believe this really is their year. The death of brave Nevin Spence has touched so many not just within Ireland, but the rugby community, and it seems fitting that the Ulstermen have made it to the final, a superb tribute to his memory, and no doubt the win will be dedicated to his memory should Ulster come out victorious on Saturday evening.
These old foes are now ready to do battle in what could will be the best match we will see this season. Both teams are ready, and both teams know that it will separate these two fierce rivals, not just for the PRO12, but for the bragging rights themselves. It’s been a year with ups and downs for both teams, but in what will be an epic encounter there can only be one winner.
It’s a season that no one has been able to take their eyes off, and from the kick off to the final whistle this weekend, both teams know that they have done themselves proud no matter what this season.
Good luck to Leinster on their quest for glory this weekend, but for me, it’s Ulster Rugby who I want to see crowned PRO12 champions on Saturday, and it is without doubt that this saying has never probably meant as much come the final.
Stand Up For The Ulstermen.
I'm Kristian. 18. And my mind is filled with rugby shaped thoughts. Supporting Ulster Rugby, Newcastle Falcons and of course the mighty Ireland. Tommy Bowe is the MAN !!!! SUFTUM.
