As the countdown continues to one of the most intriguing contests in recent years, the coaches of both Celtic League finalists have been talking up their opponents’ chances, claiming the mantle of underdogs for their own charges.
Saturday’s final between Leinster and Munster, pitting the country’s top sides against one another, is as eagerly awaited as it’s hard to call.
Unquestionably the form sides of the tournament - Leinster have won their last 13 matches in all competitions, Munster their last nine - the first meeting of the provinces this season has most pundits scratching their heads and most punters keeping their shillings in their pockets.
And with the inaugural Celtic League trophy as the prize, Matt Williams and Declan Kidney remain tightlipped about their own preparations. Plaudits for the opposition, however, are a different matter.
"Munster are a great side – they have been there and done it before," said Williams. "It is all new to us, none of the guys have been to a major final, so Munster will be a lot surer of their task," added the Leinster coach.
The noises emanating from Thomond were eerily similar. "Leinster are an excellent side, they are the form team of the season," claimed Declan Kidney. "They are unbeaten and hungry for success".
One man prepared to offer a little more insight was Ulster coach Alan Solomons.
Solomons’s much-improved Ulster side faced both Leinster and Munster during the Celtic League campaign (going down 31-9 to Leinster before last Saturday’s 15-9 semi-final defeat at the hands of Munster) and he believes Leinster have a slight edge.
If Leinster can neutralise the Munster threat upfront, Solomons argues Williams’s side have better options behind the scrum.
"They have vastly differing styles of rugby," he told ireland.com, "but at the end of the day it's going to depend on what happens up front".
"If Munster get on top up front and they can put that Leinster side on its back foot, they’ll make things difficult for them. But if it’s pretty much parity up front, then I think Leinster have the edge. They have more game breakers in their side.
"Let’s not forget Leinster have a decent pack and if they can keep it close to parity, or better, I feel they’ve got more to offer all round," Solomons said.
"They’ve got guys like Brian O’Driscoll, Hickie, Dempsey. They’ve got some really good footballers who can do a lot of damage".
