Stephen Rooney came through a fitness test yesterday and Leinster field as selected, but Ulster have had to replace the injured Stuart Duncan and Stephen Bell (the scrum-half curse had already sidelined Andy Matchett and Neil Doak) with Roger Wilson and Kenton Hillman. Wilson was a talent of note of few years ago, but Duncan, who epitomises Ulster's hardness, will be missed.
Though the red hand is sure to give 80 minutes, Davey Haslett has had figuratively less time to work with Ulster. They don't look as well prepared as Leinster, who seem more settled and balanced given the drain of players abroad came a year before. Leinster retain a good core of experience running through the team, and if the likes of Declan O'Brien and Trevor Brennan come good then they should have a nice balance about them.
time was when Ulster beat Leinster nine years running, but the latter are on a roll of four wins, with an aggregate of 56-3 on the last two Donnybrook meetings.
Conditions could help make it quite high-scoring, given the running potential of Ulster's Robin Morrow, Jan Cunningham and the diminutive under-21 international centre Sheldon Coulter. But Leinster outside three of Dennis Hickie, Ciaran Clarke, and Darragh O'Mahony look like carrying more try-scoring potential - especially as they have probably the most effective all-round centre in the series in Kurt McQuilkin.
Last three years: Ulster 25 Leinster 35; Leinster 31 Ulster 3; Ulster 6 Leinster 12.
Overall: Played 50, Leinster 23 wins, Ulster 25 wins, Draws 3.
Connacht v Munster
Connacht have to go back to 1986 in Thomond Park for the last of their rare wins over Munster, and 1979 for the last one at the Sportsground. But there's a good chance of them scalping someone this year. They gave Munster as good as they got for 70 minutes last season before Munster cut loose. Warren Gatland's side are better prepared this time.
Their two Kiwis are bound to be better for the extra week. Connacht are sure to tidy up their set-piece and ruck ball, they possess a good half-back pairing and Pat Duignan is a potent runner. But they need to improve their strike-rate: they converted four bouts of sustained pressure into just three points last week before their late rally against Scottish Borders.
"Connacht represent a huge challenge," says Niall O'Donovan respectfully, "and I can't see very much between us."
Munster certainly don't look as strong as last year, yet buoyed by Eddie Halvey's availability, their pack still reads well and looks the more mobile and powerful unit. If Ronan O'Gara successfully inherits the prolific points-scoring role inherent with any winning Munster side, then they'll still guard their crown zealously.
Last three seasons: Munster 45 Connacht 28, Connacht 11 Munster 46, Munster 60, Connacht 20.
Overall: Played 50, Munster 45 wins, Connacht 4 wins, Draws 2.
