As rivalries go, a match-up between Ulster and Leinster is as a good as it gets, as the two teams currently leading the way in the league go into battle against each other this weekend.

After securing a significant 20 points to 10 victory in Dublin this time last year, a first win at the RDS for the province in over two decades, Ulster will be hoping the blend of experience and youth on their team sheet, including the returning Irish internationals, will put on a repeat performance on Saturday.

Head Coach, Dan McFarland, said:

“We’ve four big games before Christmas, and the first one is against Leinster. I don’t think there’s a tougher task in club rugby. They have so many quality players, but it’s a challenge we absolutely relish.”

Both teams will come together ahead of kick-off for a moment’s applause to mark the sad passing of former Scotland international, and Motor Neurone Disease campaigner and fundraiser, Doddie Weir, who Ulster Rugby CEO, Jonny Petrie, paid tribute to earlier this week on behalf of the club.

Henderson leads the charge as Ireland internationals return

Ulster captain, Iain Henderson, who made a welcome return from injury last week in front of a packed-out Kingspan Stadium, has been named to start at blindside flanker and he will be joined in the back row by fellow Irish international Nick Timoney and Marcus Rea, who continues to impress in a competitive loose forward division.

The second row sees Kieran Treadwell back in the white jersey after another successful stint with Ireland, and he is partnered with Alan O’Connor, who has 163 Ulster caps to his name.

Props, Andy Warwick and Marty Moore, line-out alongside last week’s Player of the Match, Tom Stewart, after the hooker scored a brace of tries in a 36-15 home win over Zebre Parma.

Ulster’s top point-scorer, John Cooney, is paired with fly-half, Billy Burns, in one of the club’s most established partnerships.

The centre sees Stuart McCloskey, who put in a barn-storming performance in the green shirt when he lined-out in all three November Test games, start together with fellow Ireland teammate, James Hume, for the first time this season following Hume’s return from injury.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old, Stewart Moore, who put the bonus-point try on the scoresheet in Round 8, forms a youthful back three with Ethan McIlroy and Mike Lowry, who both played their part in last year’s win over Leinster, which was only the second time the province has secured victory at the RDS.

McFarland has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench with the replacement forwards including Ireland’s Rob Herring, Emerging Ireland graduates, Callum Reid and Tom O’Toole, along with Matty Rea, Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, and Wallaby, Sam Carter. Nathan Doak, who was responsible for 15 points on last week’s scoreboard, and Jacob Stockdale will cover the backline reinforcements.

Ulster team to play Leinster, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 9, Saturday 3 December at RDS Arena (KO 7 35pm), live on TG4, Viaplay & URC.tv.

(15-9): Michael Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Captain), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Nathan Doak, Jacob Stockdale, Matty Rea.