Two juggernauts of Irish rugby clash on Friday evening in the Pro14 when Leinster welcome Ulster to the RDS Arena. Shaun Goosen takes a look at the fixture.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Leinster v Ulster
20 December 21h35
RDS Arena
To Win Match
Leinster 1/50 (-26.5 @ 9/10)
Draw 30/1
Ulster 10/1 (+26.5 @ 9/10)
A new-look Leinster outfit will be looking to maintain their perfect record in the Pro14 so far with a win over Ulster at the RDS Arena on Friday.
The defending champions are much changed from the side that ran out bonus-point victors last week over Northampton. Leo Cullen has given several new faces a run as Leinster continue to blood members of their academy into the first team.
Scott Fardy, though, captains the side, with Sean Cronin making his first appearance since the World Cup after recovering from a neck injury. Rob Kearney starts at fullback to add even more experience to a team otherwise full of greenhorns.
The men from the Irish capital have won all seven of their previous Pro14 encounters this season, picking up five bonus-points in the process. They will be heavily favoured to outdo Ulster on Friday.
That said, the latter – second in Pool A behind this week’s opponents – are unbeaten in their last five. They are riding a huge wave of confidence.
Much like his opposite number, Dan MacFarland has opted to rest a number of big players this weekend after Champions Cup duty last week. Alan O’Connor will skipper the side as they look to claim what would be a rather unlikely win.
Having been bested just twice in the competition this season, the Belfast-based club have it in them to run Leinster close.
Verdict: Leinster by 10
The hosts will claim the result in Dublin, with their old campaigners set to feature prominently. That said, Ulster should be able to stay within a pretty big handicap.
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets.
