European Cup qualification for next season is a prerequisite for any ambitious side, so the focus for both Leinster and Ulster will be to try and secure a winning start to the Guinness Interprovincial Championship at Donnybrook tonight, (7.35, live on TG4). The fact that it also doubles as a Celtic League game is of lesser consequence.
The assertion that Leinster will start as favourites is not simply an acknowledgement of home advantage. Matt Williams' charges have been in irresistible form so far, running up big totals against Glasgow and Ebbw Vale and demonstrating guts and no little self belief in edging out Llanelli at Stradey Park 19-17.
The most striking thing about Leinster this season has been the strength of the squad. Keith Gleeson, Nathan Spooner and Adam Magro are seasoned professionals whose talents have been exposed to and honed by Super 12 rugby over four to six years. Quite apart from skill levels, they bring experience and a winning attitude.
Gleeson and Spooner make the starting lineup tonight. Magro - he has been equally impressive - starts on the bench purely because he has had more game time in his legs and is arguably less fresh. It is for a similar reason that Trevor Brennan starts in a tracksuit.
He was outstanding on Tuesday night and no less effective against Llanelli, thriving in the second row. His handling skills have improved immeasurably, certainly not to the detriment of his withering defence. It won't weaken the Leinster team when the Barnhall man steps up to the sideline.
Leinster appear extremely strong, with Brian O'Driscoll, Malcolm O'Kelly Eric Miller, Gordon D'Arcy and Shane Horgan restored to the starting XV.
Ulster coach Alan Solomons once again makes wholesale changes from the side narrowly defeated at home by Llanelli.
What will have concerned him most perhaps is that of Ulster's tally of 26 points, out half David Humphreys contributed 21 with the boot: certainly a warning for any Leinster indiscretion. With the exception of Humphreys, it is only young full back Paddy Wallace who has played consistently to the level demanded.
More will be expected from James Topping, Jonathan Bell, Tyrone Howe and Adam Larkin if the visitors hope to be competitive. The Ulster scrum can expect a searching examination. Leinster insiders insist that captain and loosehead prop Reggie Corrigan's scrumaging has improved considerably and with Emmet Byrne on the other side, it is going to be a combative area.
The lineouts are going to be another interesting battleground with O'Kelly and Jeremy Davidson battling for aerial supremacy. Paddy Johns is more experienced but Leo Cullen brings an intelligence to the way he operates. Solomons has opted for former under-21 international Neil McMillen at open side, switching captain Andy Ward to the blind side. Russell Nelson is preferred to Tony McWhirter at number eight.
Leinster will have to deal with the weight of expectation. So far this season they have showed that the can cope with the mantle of favouritism which is certainly a new departure for the province. But tonight the stakes are a little bit higher and Ulster won't concede an inch to players with whom they are very familiar.
This will be the best barometer of Leinster's progress while at the same time Solomons will gain an equally frank assessment of Ulster's capabilities.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; N Spooner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, E Byrne; L Cullen, M O'Kelly; E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: P Coyle, G Hickie, T Brennan, L Toland, B Willis, A Dunne, A Magro.
ULSTER: P Wallace; J Topping, A Larkin, J Bell, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, S Best; P Johns, J Davidson; A Ward (capt), R Nelson, N McMillen. Replacements: R Weir, C Boyd, M Blair, T McWhirter, K Campbell, N Malone, R Constable.
