Richie Murphy's team head down to Aviva Stadium on Saturday following a narrow interprovincial derby defeat to the reigning URC champions, Munster Rugby.
The match, which ended 29-24 to the hosts, was a brilliant showcase of rugby, with Ulster almost pulling off a stunning away performance against a Munster side who are now on a nine match winning streak.
Ulster head into the weekend feeling confident, after four wins in their last five matches. The last period has seen good momentum for the club, with the confirmation that Murphy is the Head Coach for the next two years at least.
Saturday's opposition doesn't get much tougher. Leo Cullen's Leinster side ended off their URC regular season with a strong victory against Connacht at the RDS Arena.
The Dubliners showed their quality and resilience, after being disappointed at losing their third Champions Cup Final in a row two weeks ago against French Top14 champions, Toulouse.
Ulster can also take confidence from two victories against Leinster this season, after winning two tight Interpro derbies at the RDS and Kingspan Stadium this year.
With the URC Play-Offs still to fight for, Cullen will no doubt welcome back his star studdedIreland internationals back for this monster of a showdown.
Form Guide: (Last Three Matches)
Leinster:
Leinster 33-7 Connacht
Leinster 22-31 Toulouse
Ulster 23-21 Leinster
Ulster:
Munster 29-24 Ulster
Ulster 23-21 Leinster
Scarlets 20-31 Ulster
Match Details
🏟️ Aviva Stadium
📅 Saturday 8 June
🕰️ 5pm
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship, Quarter-Final
📺 TG4, Premier Sports, URC.tv
Tickets and Travel
All information around ticket information and how to book your spot on one of our supporter buses on Saturday to Aviva Stadium, click the button below.
Last time out
Ulster's last away visit to Leinster came at the start of the year, with a rain-soaked victory at the RDS on New Year's Day. It will be the last time Ulster will be at the RDS for the near future, as Leinster move to the Aviva Stadium, with the historic RDS undergoing redevelopment work.
In awful conditions, the coolest man under the tricky weather was fly-half, Billy Burns, who put on a kicking masterclass. Billy's chip over the blitz defence of Leinster found Nick Timoney, who did well to finish under pressure.
Ulster caught the home side cold again, when Billy executed a grubber kick out to Jacob Stockdale, who scooped the ball off the floor and finished.
The home side would get back on level terms after veteran prop, Cian Healy, and winger, Rob Russell, both scored tries in the corner.
However before half-time, Billy's third try assist came after his cross-field kick found Timoney in space on the left wing. The flanker went clear to make sure Ulster went into half time with an important advantage.
With the weather cinditions getting worse, the game became loose and ragged with the ball becoming harder to get a hold of. An Ulster attack led to a penalty that John Cooney would take, giving Ulster a vital eight point lead.
The home side rallied late on, Irish international hooker, Dan Sheehan, providing the finish from a 5m lineout.
Ulster defended for their lives and saw out the memorable win by the narrowest of margins.
Players to watch
Joe McCarthy: A powerful 23-year-old lock who has risen up the Leinster ranks to become a huge player for his club and country. 'Big Joe Young' made an impact during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and went on to star for Ireland in this year's 2024 Guinness Six Nations, winning player of the match in the opening victory over France in Marseille.
McCarthy is a big unit, and is a great ball carrier for the Leinster pack.
Jamison Gibson- Park: The starting scrum-half for Ireland is seen as one of the top nines in world rugby. Gibson- Park has been in electric form for club and country. The New Zealand born scrum half is known for zipping the ball around, with his quick balls from rucks a key weapon for a Leinster side who like to keep on the attacking pressure and build their phases.
Gibson- Park is an excellent passer and reader of the game, he routinely finds gaps to run through and has an eye for an difficult pass. His whipped pass out wide to James Lowe in the recent victory over Northampton Saints was a prime example of his passing threat.
Caelan Doris: Back-Rower Caelan Doris, is one of the best number eights in the world, with his power, jackalling, ball-carrying and versatility across the back-row all major strengths. Doris has 41 caps for Ireland and recently captained his country against Italy in the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.
Doris shows remarkable maturity for his age and recently captained the province in the Champions Cup Final against Toulouse, where Leinster lost out by narrow margins.
