Stephen Ferris previews the Pro14 final between Leinster and Ulster

The Pro14 final between Leinster and Ulster will kick off at 19:35 on Saturday evening at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

Leinster and Ulster know each other very well. It was only two weeks ago Leinster won at the Aviva Stadium with relative ease with a team that many people were calling “their B team”.

The 28-10 score line didn’t reflect the game however, and Ulster did cause the men in blue a number of problems when they had possession.

But Leinster are undefeated this season for a reason and they showed a killer instinct when it mattered to put Ulster away.

Here are some stats that make interesting reading, but also confirm why Leinster are huge favourites to win another PRO14 title…

– 29 matches played since 2007/2008 season between Leinster and Ulster. Ulster have only won 7, Leinster 21, and 1 draw.

– Leinster are 16 out of 16 in the Pro14. Ulster are 9 out of 16 with one draw.

• – Leinster have scored 75 trys this season, while their opponents have only managed 53

– From the 2007-08 season Leinster have won the league 5 times. Ulster… not once.

Ulster played Leinster in the Pro12 final in 2013, and the European cup final in 2012. Ulster lost both of these games.

So as you have read the odds really are stacked against Ulster!

There is no doubt that this match could live up to everyone’s expectations. Ulster are a match for anyone when they are firing on all cylinders, however if Leinster turn it on there is no team in world rugby that can beat them.

Do I give my old team Ulster a chance? Of course I do. Maybe it’s their time, maybe Leinster are ready to be knocked off their perch, maybe…. maybe…

Finals is when you need your big game players to stand up and be counted. I feel Leinster have more of those players than Ulster. Therefore, I’m going for a Leinster win to take the trophy home for the third consecutive year.

My bet would be a draw on the match handicap which is 10 points at 25/1.

First try scorer

Leinster- James Lowe – 9/1 

Ulster – Rob Lyttle – 14/1

Try scorer anytime – Rob Hering – 3/1

Stephen