The province goes into its fourth Champions Cup play-off stage in five seasons following a 22-11 victory over Sale Sharks in the final Pool B match in January in front of a home crowd at Kingspan Stadium, after a challenging route to this weekend’s knock-out game.
Both sides have been in fine form in the BKT United Rugby Championship, With Ulster making it three wins in a row in the league as they hunt down a top two finish. Meanwhile, Leinster are seen as possibly the best club team in World Rugby having not been defeated all season, as well as boasting many of the Grand Slam-winning Ireland international players in their ranks.
Both sides welcome back their international contingent following the conclusion of the Guinness Six Nations.
Ulster Head Coach, Dan McFarland, is feeling confident with his squad heading into the fixture, but is all too aware of the threats that Leinster will pose to his side:
“We have the ability to win games against Leinster, but we are also aware that if we’re not playing to the peak of our ability, it’s going to be tough going. We are very motivated about the opportunity that lies ahead of us on Saturday.”
Ulster welcome back internationals
Lock Alan O’Connor captains the side travelling to Dublin this weekend. Joining him in the second row is Grand Slam-winner Kieran Treadwell, who made his return to the Ulster squad in last weekend’s home win against the Vodacom Bulls.
Ulster Academy product Dave McCann starts at blindside flanker and is joined in the back row by the experienced pairing of Ireland international Nick Timoney and Springbok Duane Vermeulen, who will be relishing the physical battles that lie ahead.
Packing down in the front row are returning internationals Rory Sutherland, hooker Rob Herring and Tom O’Toole. Herring is fresh from scoring a try for Ireland in the Grand Slam winning victory over England in the Six Nations, and Tom O’Toole will be brimming with confidence after an impressive tournament for Ireland.
Behind the pack, the in-form Nathan Doak keeps the number 9 jersey with Billy Burns returning alongside at fly half.
Another Ireland international returns in the form of Stuart McCloskey, who lines out at inside centre, with James Hume retaining his place in the side from last weekend’s win to restore a familiar centre partnership.
The back three remains unchanged from last week’s match, with Jacob Stockdale starting on the left wing, and Rob Baloucoune hoping to repeat his try scoring heroics from the win over Vodacom Bulls on the right wing. Mike Lowry completes the 15 at full back.
McFarland can call upon an experienced bench with last week’s hat trick hero, Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Harry Sheridan, and Marcus Rea covering the forwards.
John Cooney, Stewart Moore and Ben Moxham provide the backline options for the province.
Ulster team to play Leinster, Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16, Saturday 1 April at Aviva Stadium (KO 5 30pm), live on BT Sport:
(15-9) Michael Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Dave McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham
The Opposition
📥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 #𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫!
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 31, 2023
Here is the Leinster team for tomorrow's @ChampionsCup Round of 16 clash with @UlsterRugby in a sold-out @AVIVAStadium #LEIvULS #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/VEjwADpeVh