Tough day at the office ahead for Leinster!

Jimmy Gopperth ( Picture http://bit.ly/1JjKebu)

Leinster have the daunting prospect of Ulster at Ravenhill tonight. The Champions Cup waved bye bye last weekend, the Guinness Pro 12 waved bye bye 2 weeks ago, so it’s just pride that on the line. Mathematically, if Leinster win all their remaining matches, and the Ospreys win just one of their last three, we could get in. But that ain’t going to happen. Ulster meanwhile, want to get a home semi, so plenty in for them, and absolutely nothing for Leinster.

I was even wondering if Matt O’Connor was going to field a second string side, but he’s named all the big guns. Not sure why Jordi Murphy is on the bench, as he’s was my MOTM last week, and Madigan too, we need all the points we can get.  Meanwhile the player who played every match for Leinster this season gets a start too, and that player is… Jimmy Gopperth! It’s going to be an almighty battle, Connacht  v Ulster was international level intensity. For Ulster, good to see Chris Henry back, and the form of players like Craig Gilroy. I think Ulster are going to shade this.

Connacht have the mighty Glasgow on the way, and they’ll still be smarting from that loss to Ulster. They have Edinburgh and the Scarlet’s hot on their heels for the 6^th place too.  You could sniff an upset though, Connacht have shown some steely reserve this season, so I’m going for the Galwegians over the Glaswegians!

Finally, Munster have an opportunity to gain on the leaders with the visit of  Treviso, that’s five point opportunity if ever you saw it! Tommy O’Donnell, one of the hardest working men in rugby, should pick up his hundredth cap.

Guinness PRO12

Friday, April 24

Ulster vs Leinster              18:35

Edinburgh vs Zebre           18:35

Saturday, April 25

Connacht vs Glasgow Warriors    12:05

Cardiff Blues vs Ospreys  13:30

Munster vs Benetton Treviso        14:05

Newport Gwent Dragons vs Scarlets          15:45